Nanticoke health fair lands Portis' signature of approval

ClintonPortisCanes
LAUREL – For nine years, Clinton Portiswas a backfield workhorse for the Denver Broncos and then the Washington Redskins.

He retired last August just 77 yards shy of the career 10,000-yard plateau as one of all-time great running backs in Redskins’ history.

In “retirement,” the 31-year-old Mississippi native spends time huddling with family and exploring new option plays in the game of life.

“I really feel like I worked hard enough, so everything that comes from me being a spotlight athlete; retirement, kind of being off the scene, and enjoying the kids, relaxing with the family and becoming a business man,” said Mr. Portis.

Saturday, the Redskin Nation legend spent the better part of two hours at Laurel High School putting his name and jersey No. 26 on napkins and helmets and many things in between as a marquee drawing card at Nanticoke Health Services’ community health fair.

A long line of people – many sporting Redskin burgundy and gold – showed up to get Mr. Portis’ autograph, which translated into a very successful health fair that featured free screenings, awareness and other health-related information from Nanticoke and other community-minded groups and organizations.

“We really had a good turnout. The parking lots were full,” said Sharon Harrington, NHS’s Director of Marketing & Business Development. “It is the first time we’ve reached out to the Laurel community and done something like this. The community has been really supportive, from the Chamber (Laurel Chamber of Commerce) to the school, and the businesses in the area.”

Dr. Joseph Kim, a family practitioner with Nanticoke, said the presence of someone of the stature of Clinton Portis “generates a lot of excitement. And that brings people in. Historically we do have health fairs but having him there as kind of a symbol of health – he is a professional athlete; he keeps himself in phenomenal shape – it brings people into the rest of the health fair. It was just a great day.”

Mr. Portis echoed Nanticoke’s pitch for healthy living.

“I’ve done it for HIV testing, and arts fairs, with kids preaching about obesity. Any time you can be part of a movement you want to do it. You look at obesity. You look at health,” Mr. Portis said. “Back in the day when you think of your grandparents, they never went through any of this – and they lived to be 90 or 100 years old. And all of a sudden in today’s society … lives are becoming shorter. So you’ve got to follow up and pay attention.”

Some fans shared a Kodak moment and even a handshake with Mr. Portis.

“I love the Redskins. I love RG3 (quarterback Robert Griffin III),” said Georgetown resident Teresa Joynes, clad in her Redskin attire. “He (Portis) was my favorite. That is why I had to come here.”

“I actually thought I was at Ashburn (Va., home of Redskins Park) with all of this burgundy and gold. It was good to see how many people really follow Redskins Nation,” said Mr. Portis. “Who would ever think coming to Laurel, Delaware, you’d have this many Redskins fans. It is wonderful support when you have small towns that come out and support you. Those are the people that don’t get the opportunity to come to the games … and don’t get the opportunity to yell (at Fedex Field). But they pack the bars and family households all of the time. So it is always appreciative.”

Seaford resident Mike Kraft, a lifelong Redskins fan whose identical twin brother is a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, thanked Mr. Portis for being a beacon through some lean Redskins years.

“I’m not a huge autograph fan. I don’t really collect stuff. But I wanted to come and thank him for what he did. His professionalism and his character brought a lot to the locker-room and a lot to the field, and made other guys be better,” said Mr. Kraft, a Seaford School District school board member. “And it is great to see some Redskins fans come out and support this, and support Nanticoke Health Services.

And not so much even just the autographs but the event they are putting on and the services they provide. If it takes getting a star like him here, I’m all for that. Hail to the Redskins! It certainly is a win-win for everybody.”


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(delaware.newszap.com)
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