WASHBURN, Va. -- Former Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis on Tuesday said ex-coach Jim Zorn lost the players' support because he split the locker room based on faith.

Portis, during his weekly appearance on ESPN980, said Zorn, who coached the Redskins in 2008-09 before being fired, divided the locker room between "Christians and ballplayers."

"So if you didn't believe in what he believed in, if you weren't Antwaan Randle El, if you weren't the guys who sat and prayed with him and did everything the way they thought your life should be, you kind of got, 'Well, you're not doing right' speeches directed toward you," Portis said.

The Redskins won six of their first eight games under Zorn, only to finish 8-8 before falling to 4-12 his second season. Under Zorn, Portis rushed for 1,487 yards in 2008 -- the third-best total of his career. He played in only eight games because of injuries in the second season.

"I'm grown," Portis said. "I can do what I want to do. I don't have a police record. If I don't get in no trouble, don't assume the way that I live my life, don't preach to me about what's right. Because you're not right, you're phony, you're sitting here in my face telling me one thing and then you go behind my back and say something else."

Former Redskins tight end Chris Cooley, a co-host on the show in which Portis appeared, said on the air that his ex-teammate wasn't wrong. Cooley, however, said Zorn did not do it with intent or by saying, "I want Christians."

"But he sold his pitch," Cooley said. "His sales pitch was: 'Believe in and have faith in my program.' And it was basically a sales pitch to a Christian team. It wasn't, 'We're going to be smart. We're going to adapt. We're going to make sense.'

"Literally any time there was anything that came up on offense that was, 'Hmm, this doesn't make any sense, Jim. Why are we doing this?' [The answer] was, 'This was how Bill Walsh did it.' Much like saying, 'Go to the Bible and read it.' It was the West Coast Bible that he sold over and over and over again."

Both Cooley and Portis also played for Joe Gibbs, whose devotion to faith is well-known.

"I'm fine with praying in moments of turmoil," Cooley said. "But the way Joe Gibbs sold his team was to football players and guys believing in each other, not believing in a system and a coaching base with it. ... [Zorn's system] was designed around the way a religion is designed: faith."


(espn.com)

Never had a chance to meet him but in their eyes he's the best to ever do it! Glad I could share this moment w them #seantaylor #21 #g.o.a.t 👏🏾🙌🏾

A photo posted by CP (@clintonportis) on Oct 10, 2015 at 2:36pm PDT

Former tailback Clinton Portis was among 14 former football greats named Tuesday to the 2015 Atlantic Coast Conference Class of Football Legends.

As a true freshman starter at running back in 1999, Portis set a school record with five 100-yard performances, leading the Canes with 838 yards and eight touchdowns on 143 carries – 5.9 yards per carry – in 10 games. His 1,200 yards rushing during the 2001 national championship season was at that time the third-highest single-season rushing yardage total in UM history. He now ranks fifth in all-time career rushing with 2,523 yards.

Portis continued his dominance in the NFL, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2002 and amassing 9,923 rushing yards and 75 touchdowns in nine seasons – two with the Broncos and seven with the Washington Redskins.

“It’s a blessing to be recognized as a legend,’’ Portis wrote in an email to the Miami Herald. “...Plenty of people paved the way and inspired me to be the best me I can be. Coaches, teammates, fans, family all played a role in this award, so thanks.’’

Joining Portis in the ’15 ACC Legends class are Pitt running back Tony Dorsett, FSU running back Warrick Dunn, Georgia Tech coach Bobby Ross, Boston College center Dan Koppen, Clemson linebacker Anthony Simmons, Duke running back Chris Douglas, Louisville quarterback Chris Redman, North Carolina offensive lineman Ken Huff, NC State defensive back and return specialist Fred Combs, Syracuse tight end Chris Gedney, Virginia defensive end Patrick Kerney, Virginia Tech defensive end Corey Moore and Wake Forest punter Chuck Ramsey.

All 14 legends will be honored at the ACC Night of Legends on Dec. 4, and during the on-field pregame festivities at the ACC Championship.


(miamiherald.com)

On Wednesday night, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced 108 modern-era nominees for the Class of 2016.

FOUR #proCanes were names #NFL #HOF 2016 Nominees: QB Vinny Testaverde & RBs OJ Anderson, Edgerrin James & Clinton Portis.

SIX #proCanes already are in #Canton. Michael Irvin, Cortez Kennedy, Ted Hendricks, Warren Sapp, Jim Kelly and Jim Otto.

*Finalist in 2015; CAPS indicate first year of eligibility

QUARTERBACKS (6)
Drew Bledsoe, BRETT FAVRE, Steve McNair, Phil Simms, Vinny Testaverde, *Kurt Warner

RUNNING BACKS (15)
Shaun Alexander, Ottis Anderson, Tiki Barber, Roger Craig, Stephen Davis, *Terrell Davis, Eddie George, Priest Holmes, Edgerrin James, Daryl Johnston, Jamal Lewis, CLINTON PORTIS, Herschel Walker (also KR), Ricky Watters, BRIAN WESTBROOK

WIDE RECEIVERS (9)
Isaac Bruce, Gary Clark, Henry Ellard (also PR), *Marvin Harrison, Torry Holt, TERRELL OWENS, Sterling Sharpe, Jimmy Smith, Rod Smith

TIGHT ENDS (2)
Mark Bavaro, Jay Novacek

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (19)
Tony Boselli (T), Jeff Bostic (C), Jim Covert (T), ALAN FANECA (G), Jay Hilgenberg (C), Chris Hinton (G/T), Kent Hull (C), Joe Jacoby (T), Jon Jansen (T), Mike Kenn (T), Jim Lachey (T), Kevin Mawae (C/G), Mark May (G/T/C), Tom Nalen (C), Nate Newton (G), *Orlando Pace (T), Chris Samuels (T), Mark Schlereth (G), Steve Wisniewski (G)

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (6)
Dexter Manley (DE), Charles Mann (DE), Leslie O'Neal (DE), Simeon Rice (DE), Fred Smerlas (NT), Bryant Young (DT)

LINEBACKERS (13)
Cornelius Bennett, Tedy Bruschi, KEITH BULLUCK, *Kevin Greene (also DE), Ken Harvey, Levon Kirkland, Clay Matthews, Willie McGinest (also DE), Karl Mecklenburg, Matt Millen, Sam Mills, Zach Thomas, MIKE VRABEL

DEFENSIVE BACKS (14)
Eric Allen (CB), Steve Atwater (S), Joey Browner (S), LeRoy Butler (S), Rodney Harrison (S), Ty Law (CB), Albert Lewis (CB), *John Lynch (S), LAWYER MILLOY (SS), DARREN SHARPER (FS), Shawn Springs (CB), Troy Vincent (CB/S), Everson Walls (CB), Darren Woodson (S)

KICKERS/PUNTERS (6)
*Morten Andersen (K), Gary Anderson (K), JOHN CARNEY (K), Jason Elam (K), Sean Landeta (P), Nick Lowery (K)

SPECIAL TEAMS/POSITION PLAYERS (3)
ETHAN ALBRIGHT (LS), Brian Mitchell (KR/PR also RB), Steve Tasker (also WR)

The NFL announced on Monday that Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh would not face disciplinary action after knocking off Redskins running back Alfred Morris’s helmet with his knee during Sunday’s game.

While “there was contact between the players,” according to NFL spokesman Michael Signora, “Suh’s action was not deemed a kick.”

Morris appeared to have a few words for Suh as he stood up, but then went about his business. Former Redskins running back Clinton Portis said he would’ve responded a little differently.

“I just would love to be in that situation,” Portis said during his Monday appearance on ESPN 980’s The Drive With Cooley and Czabe. “Why didn’t guys play that way when I was on the field? I wish a guy would have. I would have dove at the back of Suh’s knees so quick and got up and just probably choked him out. I definitely wouldn’t have let him get away with that. But again, Alfred Morris is a different guy than myself.”

If Morris were more like Portis, Matt Jones might be looking forward to his first career start on Sunday against the Rams.

“Guys give this facade of being tough and, ‘Oh man, I’m the man and don’t try me,’ and you know, they’re really not,” Portis said. “I don’t think Suh is, you know, that tough of a player. I think he’s a great player though.”


(washingtonpost.com)

Six current and former NFL players and BB&T reached a confidential settlement in their suit claiming the bank's predecessor accepted improper documents from their financial adviser on accounts that cost the players a combined $53 million in lost deposits.

The players claimed the money was diverted to an Alabama casino venture that failed. NFL players are not allowed to invest in gambling ventures.

"Both parties are pleased to resolve this matter," GrayRobinson attorney David S. Hendrix said in a statement Friday. "We have decided to keep the terms of our settlement confidential and cannot comment further."

U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom closed the case Sept. 2 after receiving a notice from attorneys on both sides saying each side would bear its own costs.

The settlement came after a day of testimony in the midst of a second trial. The first was a bench trial that Bloom took under advisement. Testimony was under way in the second trial when the agreement was reached.

Philip Fitzpatrick Jr., who worked for the bank from 2005 to 2012, already had testified BankAtlantic, BB&T's predecessor, testified bank employees didn't always get proper documentation for transfers made from NFL players' accounts.

Pro Sports Financial Inc. managed the finances for the plaintiffs: free agent Santana Moss and retirees Fred Taylor and Lito Sheppard, Ray Lewis, Clinton Portis and Derrick Jabar Gaffney.

Fitzpatrick said Pro Sports management enjoyed "unique" banking privileges.

While a typical customer would have to visit a branch to make a large wire transfer, BankAtlantic accommodated the athletes' busy schedules by allowing Pro Sports to request transfers via email or make seven-figure deposits via FedEx, Fitzpatrick said.

On the stand during the bench trial, Moss testified he didn't examine his own financial affairs until after realizing more than $1.4 million in unauthorized transfers has been made from a bank account in his name. He said he signed away power of attorney to a Pro Sports employee and sent his bank statements to the company without looking over them.

"I heard so much growing up, 'Pay attention to this. Pay attention to that,' " Moss said. "I didn't do it. I let [Pro Sports] pay attention to it. I'm paying for it now."

Moss said he signed a document in January 2006 to open a BankAtlantic account. After a Pro Sports security issue, Moss' bill-paying account was closed and a new one was opened in his name. Moss testified he didn't recognize the signature on the new account paperwork.

The players sought to hold the bank liable for unauthorized transfers by Fort Lauderdale-based Pro Sports.

BB&T was represented by a team of lawyers from GrayRobinson's Tampa office led by Hendrix.

The players were represented by Matthew Brenner, Jim Toscano and Ronald Edwards Jr. of Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed in Orlando and Elizabeth Kagan of the Kagan Law Firm in Fort Myers. Brenner didn't respond to a request for comment by deadline.


(dailybusinessreview.com)

From “The U” to the Washington Redskins, the trio of Clinton Portis, Sean Taylor and Santana Moss hold a special place in a lot of fans’ hearts.

For this person in particular, though, they are also memorialized in a tattoo of the three during their days at Miami.

"You hear people say how much you impact their lives but to see this was RESPECT! It's often forgotten as time passes & memories fade that we made an impact that will last forever! @eighttodanine took me under his wing as a freshman, I took S.Dot under mine his rookie year & together we caused #HELLONEARTH #THEUCREATEDSOMEMONSTERS #THEU," Portis captioned the photo. 

The first to go through the five-time National Championship program was Moss, a walk-on turned No. 1 receiver.

Next was Clinton Portis, who rushed for more than 2,500 yards and 12 touchdowns in three seasons.

Sean Taylor was the last of the group to play college ball, as the hard-hitting safety nabbed 10 interceptions and scored three touchdowns during his last season in 2003.

They all also played together with the Washington Redskins for three and ½ seasons before Taylor’s death in 2007. 

@markey_marc17 you hear people say how much you impact their lives but to see this was RESPECT! It's often forgotten as time passes & memories fade that we made an impact that will last forever! @eighttodanine took me under his wing as a freshman, I took S.Dot under mine his rookie year & together we caused #HELLONEARTH #THEUCREATEDSOMEMONSTERS #THEU

A photo posted by CP (@clintonportis) on Aug 19, 2015 at 10:56am PDT

(redskins.com)

U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom is allowing six current and former NFL players to move ahead with a negligence lawsuit against BB&T Corp. for allegedly allowing unauthorized financial transactions.

In a 51-page order issued July 27, the Fort Lauderdale judge granted summary judgment on numerous counts filed by more than a dozen professional football players against the bank.

However, she allowed negligence claims by Ray Lewis, Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, Lito Sheppard, Fred Taylor and Derrick Gaffney to move forward.

The case alleges the athletes' former financial management firm, Pro Sports Financial Inc., opened bank accounts in their names with forged signatures and withdrew nearly $53 million without their permission or knowledge.

BB&T was sued because it assumed the liabilities of the former BankAtlantic, which was accused of "aiding and abetting fraud" and failing to act in good faith and reasonable care.


(dailybusinessreview.com)

Clinton Portis joined Ric Bucher and Nicole Zaloumis on SiriusXM’s Bleacher Report Radio channel Tuesday and was asked for his thoughts on the Redskins name controversy.

[Clinton Portis will work as a Redskins analyst for ESPN 980]

“I think for myself, I’m biased, because all you know as a player when you’re giving your heart, when you’re giving your soul to an organization, it’s ‘Redskin Nation,'” Portis said. “I grew to love ‘Redskin Nation,’ and I think ‘Redskin Nation’ grew to love me. But on the flip side, you have to understand the people who don’t appreciate the name and who the name is offensive to. So, you have to look at it from both sides. Fortunately for me, I had some opportunities to go out and visit some reservations and see people, and talk to people firsthand. A lot of people it really didn’t offend, but a lot of people it [does] offend. Those are the voices that you hear, the people that it does offend.”

Portis said he was recently on vacation and saw a school with the Redskins’ logo and colors.

“I was thinking, ‘Wow, this school is still in existence,'” Portis said. “Because the Redskins is such a prominent team and all of the attention made on that organization, and being in D.C. where it’s the hottest topic next to politics every day, you really get the negative attention. And of course, when there’s nothing to talk about, that’s going to dominate the headlines, and it does.”

On Monday, the school board in Goshen, Ind. voted to retire the nearly 90-year-old Redskins nickname for the athletic teams at Goshen High. Portis was asked how he would feel if his former team’s name  changed.

“I think for myself I would have to take the emotions out and see both sides,” Portis said of the name controversy. “… Knowing how huge ‘Redskins Nation’ is and knowing how much Mr. Snyder loves that team, and really acquiring that team, it was acquired for the name, the tradition, the history, the excellence of that organization. And all of a sudden to not have that, and you go from the Redskins to another name, whatever that would be, I think it would take a lot away from the history of that organization.

“But that’s not a call I’m suited to make. For myself and for the lovers of ‘Redskins Nation,’ we will always remember that. It’s like losing a key part of history, which, we see that throughout TV. When you look at the flags being removed, when you look at what society is arguing about and going through, it comes to a time, a decision has to be made, and we have to be able to live with it. So, for myself, I was a part of ‘Redskins Nation,’ it was great. If it lasts, you love it. If it don’t, you understand. … I would hate to see it change, but again, you have to understand everyone else’s point of view, and the people it’s negative and derogative to, you have to understand that.”

Portis was then asked what he would rename the team if it had to change.

“I’m not sure if they could just go to the Skins,” he said. “I’m not sure if that would be as offensive, just dropping the ‘red’ part. The Washington Skins. I think that would kind of preserve the history and the name, but again, my expertise is not on that subject. I understand both sides of it. I understand both arguments.”

On the subject of the Redskins’ quarterback situation, something Portis will be covering in his new role as an analyst for ESPN 980, the former running back suggested the pressure will be on Robert Griffin III to lock down the No. 1 job in training camp.

[Colt McCoy is confident he’s a starting NFL QB]

“I’m going to be looking forward to seeing this in training camp just as you are,” Portis said. “I think we all know RGIII is kind of on the hot seat. Kirk Cousins has his opportunity to come in and play, and he just has to capitalize. … You have a two-headed monster in Alfred Morris and Matt Jones, the kid out of Florida who I think will be great. You’ve got the receivers in [Pierre] Garcon, they go out and get Jamison Crowder. Just having those guys to be able to stretch the field and get open, there’s no excuses. The o-line is intact. The tight end position might be the question mark, whether Jordan Reed and Niles Paul can perform at a high level, but I think they have the pieces on offense that every Redskins fan has wished for, forever and ever, is getting an o-line. … You have everything in place. Now it’s just a competition. You have Colt McCoy, he’s trying to battle. You have three quarterbacks trying to battle for this position, so I think it’s going to be really competitive throughout the preseason.”


(washingtonpost.com)

Red Zebra Broadcasting on Wednesday announced that former Redskins running back Clinton Portis will serve as a Redskins analyst on ESPN 980 during the upcoming season.

Portis, a fan favorite during his seven years in D.C. for both his alter-egos and his play, will call in to “The Drive With Cooley and Czabe” on Mondays. He will also co-host a one-hour show about the Redskins on one Friday every month throughout the season.

“I am so excited to finally be on the air covering the team I love,” Portis said in a press release. “Chris Cooley was a great teammate and close friend and we promise to make it as memorable as we did during our playing career.”

Portis, who played with Cooley from 2004-10, officially retired in 2012. Portis has appeared as a guest on “The Drive” before, including last November, when he offered Robert Griffin III some advice for dealing with the media. His own experience as a member of the media includes work as an analyst for the ACC Digital Network.


(washingtonpost.com)

#tbt 2007.. Me and @clintonportis made sure we held it down for our Boi until they road us out Tht bih!!! #4eva21

A video posted by Santana Moss (@eighttodanine) on Jun 11, 2015 at 3:28pm PDT

Clinton Portis' $40,000 promise: Many people don't remember this, but Portis and Ifeanyi Ohalete ended up in court over the matter. Portis purchased the rights for $40,000 but ended up skipping out on a large portion before legal action was taken. Ohalete was also challenged to a boxing match by Portis, which sadly never happened. Ah, America.

Just one day shy of going to court to settle their digital dispute, the numbers nuttiness between former Washington Redskins teammates has been resolved.
Redskins tailback Clinton Portis on Monday agreed to pay former Washington safety Ifeanyi Ohalete $18,000 of the $20,000 that the latter claimed he was owed for giving uniform No. 26 to Portis a year ago. The settlement brought the tab in the case, not including attorneys fees, to $38,000.

"I really wasn't looking for vindication. I just wanted to get this thing over with," Ohalete told The Associated Press. "I did my half and I just wanted what was mine in return.

"It worked out better for me. I didn't want to miss practice," he said.

According to the agreement between the players, Portis had agreed to pay Ohalete $40,000 for the uniform number and had already shelled out $20,000. The remaining $20,000 was in question until Monday, with the players scheduled for a Tuesday session in a Maryland courtroom.


(espn.com)

Denzel Perryman's shoe size probably isn't much more impressive than his height (5-foot-11), but the way two-time Pro Bowl running back Clinton Portis sees it, Perryman could be filling some awfully big shoes as an NFL rookie.

Those of Patrick Willis.

"If you put him in the right scheme he will be excellent," Portis told stateoftheu.com. "I can see the 49ers taking a long look at him with Patrick Willis retiring. Picking up a linebacker who comes with his attitude would really help them."

Willis retired last week at age 30 after a prolific but abbreviated eight-year career. Perryman was the soul of the Hurricanes' defense last year and is their top defensive draft prospect amid a cast of offensive prospects that includes running back Duke Johnson, wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, tackle Ereck Flowers and tight end Clive Walford.

But while Perryman might be a good fit for the 49ers, the draft order suggests he might not fit any of the club's draft choices. Perryman is regarded as a late-first or early second-round prospect. Two of five NFL Media analysts project him as a late first-round pick, and Portis sees him as a late-first or early second-rounder as well. The trouble is, San Francisco picks at No. 15 in the first round -- perhaps too rich of a pick for Perryman's draft value -- and by the time the club selects again in the middle of the second round, Perryman could easily be wearing another club's hat.

A trade up or down might be required to facilitate a Perryman-49ers marriage. Regardless, Portis likes Perryman above all the other Miami prospects on the offensive side of the ball. He likened Perryman to former NFL linebackers London Fletcher, Al Wilson and Nate Webster.

"I definitely think he will go at the end of the first or early in the second round," Portis said. "Watching the film of all of the players from Miami, the person who stood out the most was Denzel, because of how he attacked the ball. He sometimes even played off double teams -- a linebacker should never face double teams."
Other thoughts from Portis on Miami's top prospects:

» On Johnson: "I think Duke probably is most talented running back to ever come out of the University of Miami."
That's high praise, given the long list of UM backs to have big NFL careers, including Edgerrin James and Portis himself.

» On Dorsett: "When you look at that Florida State game, Phillip Dorsett still hasn't been covered. They should have never stopped getting him the ball."
Dorsett had four catches for 90 yards and a touchdown in a 30-26 loss to the Seminoles last season. Of note in that game is that FSU's two cornerbacks, P.J. Williams and Ronald Darby, will both get draft-day calls, as well.

» On Walford: "If you look at his ability to get open and catch the ball, he follows well in the UM tradition of Jeremy Shockey and Kellen Winslow and Jimmy Graham. Walford is going to be in that category."


(nfl.com)

Clinton Portis was one of the best running backs in the history of the Washington Redskins franchise. He is currently second for the Redskins and 30th in the NFL for career rushing yards. Despite all this success he had in his career, he still wishes that he would have picked a different position as he was coming into the league.

“If I had to do it over, I would, hands down,” Portis said in an interview. “I would have stuck with DB or I would have stuck with the safety position, you know, playing corner back or playing safety, because the running back position is so devalued.”

Portis does have a point. Not to mention the lifespan of running backs is very low. According to a study, the average player is in the NFL for 3.3 years. Running backs last for just 2.57 years. The running back’s life span is the lowest in the NFL and for good reason. They are constantly getting pounded by linebackers and defensive linemen who have 50 pounds on them. Rushing between the tackles takes its toll on the body. Consequently, this shortens their production level and career length.

Portis also argues that running backs are more or less expendable in the NFL. This is because of the common trend that NFL teams have adopted is a running back by committee offense.

“I think the running back position has gone to running back by committee,” Portis would go on to say. “You don’t need a running back that’s tough… You can give a running back 12 to 15 carries, then you got somebody else coming in on third down, you got another guy coming in for passes; you’ve got so many running backs that it’s able to be devalued.

This kind of makes sense. After all, why would a team pay an aging running back for past production, when they can get three younger players all at a discount who can produce about the same when combined.

The most recent example of this is Lesean McCoy being shipped to Buffalo in a shocking trade. The Eagles now have gotten rid of the aging McCoy who would come with a giant contract whom they think is more or less replaceable.

One of the most famous examples of this comes from one of the best running backs in the history of the NFL to spend the last two years of his career sharing touches with Shonn Greene for the New York Jets. LaDainian Tomlinson spent this first nine years of his career with the San Diego Chargers. But following the 2009 season, where Tomlinson did not break 1,000 yards for the first time in his career, the Chargers got rid of the running back who is currently number five on the all-time rushing yards list.

So to Clinton Portis’ point, running backs in the NFL are kind of expendable. Even the great ones. I don’t blame him for wanting to play a different position. Especially something like DB, where you use your speed and athletic ability to bat down balls or get interceptions instead of crushing your body into 300 pound defensive linemen as a running back. The next 10 years should be telling as to what the future holds for running backs in the NFL. But for now, players like Lesean McCoy will have to deal with being shipped around from team to team at the end of their careers.


(fansided.com)

Clinton Portis thinks there's one absolute winner in this blockbuster running back for defensive player trade.

"I don't see Kiko Alonso turning out to be a J.J. Watt or a Ray Lewis, just dominating this conference," Portis said Wednesday on NFL AM. "Maybe he does, but I don't see it. It'll be hard to do. The Bills really won in this trade and I know for LeSean McCoy, there's some aggravation in being traded, you feel like you've done so much for a city, but you have an opportunity to go to a team that wants you, play for Rex Ryan, a guy you know will run the ball."

He added: "This is a trade I really don't understand."

Portis' perspective is interesting. Exactly 11 years ago Tuesday, he was dealt in a blockbuster trade that sent him to Washington in exchange for cornerback Champ Bailey.

Portis went on to play seven years in his new destination while Bailey put in 10 with the Broncos, an expected range given the lifespan of a running back in the NFL.

By all accounts, that trade was relatively even. Portis put up over 1,000 yards in four of his first five seasons in Washington and Bailey picked off 21 passes in his first three seasons (including 10 in 2006).

But in Portis' mind, this is not that kind of trade.

In a way, he's right. Alonso is not as established a defensive player though Portis was speaking from the point of view of an observer who expects McCoy, 26, to give the Bills four more high-quality seasons.

Is that possible? Can a back whose game is predicated on speed and breakneck movement keep up that kind of production into his 30's?

Alonso, meanwhile, is just 24. He's also much, much cheaper.


(nfl.com)

Eleven years ago today, the Washington Redskins landed Clinton Portis in a blockbuster trade with the Denver Broncos.

Portis, who played collegiality alongside Santana Moss and Sean Taylor at Miami, had an instant impact on the Redskins’ offense, rushing for 1,315 yards and five touchdowns in his first season.

The next season, Portis would break Stephen Davis’ franchise record for most rushing yards in a single season — which has since been surpassed by Alfred Morris — with 1,516 yards along with 11 touchdowns.

In seven seasons with the Redskins, Portis rushed for 6,824 yards and 46 touchdowns.


(redskins.com)

Down went Duke basketball’s 41-game home winning streak last night, as proud Miami alum and former Redskins running back Clinton Portis was there to watch the whole thing happen.

Despite coming into the game as the No. 4 team in the country, Duke was throttled in the second half by Miami, as the Hurricanes’ 56 points in the final 20 minutes gave them a 90-74 victory.

So, is Portis the Hurricanes’ good luck charm?

Perhaps, but I’m sure Coach Jim Larranaga (who has ties to the Washington, D.C. area as the former coach of George Mason) and Co. enjoyed his presence in enemy territory regardless.

#UM came to invade Cameron indoor first time experience! #canesvictorybaby

A photo posted by CP (@clintonportis) on Jan 13, 2015 at 6:09pm PST

Former NFL running back Clinton Portis told the Washington Post he thinks the media should just let Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch be if he doesn't want to answer questions. 

Last week, Lynch lost his appeal of a $100,000 fine by the NFL for not speaking to the media. Several weeks after he was fined, Lynch did speak to the media but replied "thanks for asking" to nearly every question. 

"I don’t think it’s funny," Portis said. "You’re making him talk, and this is what you’re getting. He tried to walk out. He tried to avoid the media. Now you’re forcing me to say nothing. You’re forcing me to stand here and make a mockery of the situation instead of letting me walk on by … You can avoid all of that. If a guy don’t want to do an interview, then he don’t want to do an interview."

Portis said he thinks Lynch should have the right to not want to talk to the media after games, and said in his own work as an interviewer for the ACC Digital Network he will "move on to the next guy" if a player doesn't want to talk.

"I think people should just let [Lynch] be," Portis said. "Man, let him be."

The Seahawks host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in the NFC Championship game.


(si.com)

Former Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis on Monday was a presenter during a banquet that honored Pop Warner players and collegiate student-athletes held at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, NC.

Portis stood at the podium and helped introduce one of the awards of the night to the Mallard Creek Chargers, the Pop Warner defensive/scholastic team of the year.

At the end of the night,  the Bronko Nagurski Trophy — which honors annually the best defensive football player in the NCAA as judged by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America — went to Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright.

. @TheRealC_Portis presenting the Pop Warner Team of the Year Award to the Mallard Creek Chargers. #BronkoNagurski pic.twitter.com/p3mNXrOjKz

— Imani (@imanimarie) December 9, 2014

(redskins.com)

Former Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis and linebacker LaVar Arrington remembered some of what made legendary safety Sean Taylor such a great person and player Wednesday morning, on the set of NFL AM before Friday’s airing of ‘Sean Taylor: A Football Life’ on NFL Network at 9 p.m.

Portis – who played with Taylor at the University of Miami and with the Redskins – said Taylor was “one of the greatest ever” on the field, and “really low-key off of it.”

“It would shock people to know his hobbies, or what he was passionate about,” he said. “When you look at a guy that’s so ferocious on the field, you wouldn’t believe that Sean watched as much film as he watched [and] what he was into – video games, cooking, four-wheelers.

Arrington, meanwhile, said Taylor always wanted to be the best that he could be.

“His determination and his drive – everything that appeared for me – was a dude that just wanted to be the best he could possibly be,” Arrington said. “And be the best dude around us as a group of guys, while being the best on the field.”


(redskins.com)

Former NFL running back Clinton Portis has three bits of advice for Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, and one of them is to stop talking.

Portis, who played in the NFL for nine seasons with the Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins, works for ACC.com, and in his weekly video piece, he told Winston to:

1. "Own who you are." Portis says Winston is the public face of the program and "bigger than life right now. The only person getting in your way is you." Portis also said Winston needs to ask himself about the legacy he will leave behind.

2. "Be aware of your surroundings." Portis said Winston is "not a normal 20-year-old" and that everything he does is scrutinized. That means, Portis said, that Winston "cannot slip up."

3. "Stop talking." Portis said Winston has "a big personality," which can create problems. Portis also said that Winston frequently is misunderstood. Thus, Portis said, "Don't give them nothing; you give them nothing, they can say nothing. Only thing they can do is watch your tape. On your tape, you're the man."

Portis said that if Winston follows his advice, "You'll be "a much happier person. And you'll be the first pick of the draft."

Portis was known in the NFL for his production (six 1,000-yard seasons, two Pro Bowls) and for his larger-than-life personality. Keeping quiet wasn't something Portis was known for, so from that standpoint, it seems somewhat hypocritical he is giving that advice to Winston. At the same time, Portis was an NFL star and lived in the limelight, and thus does have some insight on life in the fishbowl. And, frankly, his advice makes sense, especially the part about "stop talking." Winston does seem to be a "Look at me! Look at me!" person, and it obviously has gotten him into trouble.


(nfl.com)

A message from Aaron Torres of FoxSports.com:

“They’re the greatest team of all-time.”

It’s a statement we often hear about the 2001 Miami Hurricanes, both by fans, and the media members who cover college football as well.

But after hearing it earlier this year, a light-bulb went off in my head: Just about everyone seems to have an opinion the 2001 ‘Canes, except Miami’s former players and coaches themselves.

And from there, another thought immediately popped into my head: What if I tracked down as many Hurricanes players and coaches from that 2001 season as I could, interviewed them, and asked what they thought about their team, and where they rank in college football history.

How awesome would that be?

Well, six months later, the answer was “spectacular” and after collecting interviews with roughly 50 former players and coaches, an article, the definitive article on the greatest team in the history of college football will run on FoxSports.com on Wednesday.

If you’re a ‘Canes fan (which I have to imagine you are if you’re reading this website), I can promise you that you can enjoy the article.

But here’s the thing: During the process of reporting the article, I learned that I wasn’t the only one who shared the same passion for the 2001 ‘Canes. As it turned out, one of the former players I interviewed, Najeh Davenport, also shared that passion, and like me wanted to tell the world his team’s story. Najeh recently released a documentary about the team, titled ‘The U: Reloaded’ which premiered last month. Through Najeh, I met his business partner Platon, who runs things here at ProCanes.com.

And it was through my friendship with Platon, that we’ve decided to give Miami fans a treat. Before the article runs in full on Wednesday, Platon was nice enough to offer up his space here on proCanes.com, to run an excerpt. It’s a treat for all you diehard ‘Canes fans, and proCanes is the only place that you can read this exclusive excerpt.

Of course the article will still run in its entirety Wednesday, and if you enjoy what you read here, be sure to check out the article on FoxSports.com. You can also follow on Twitter @Aaron_Torres, where I’ll post the link once it goes live.

In the meantime, enjoy this excerpt from the article….

In the excerpt, we pick things up shortly after Larry Coker was hired as head coach, as the team prepared for the 2001 season.

As you’ll learn however, it really didn’t matter who the Hurricanes had hired as head coach. The team was not going to be denied the title that had eluded them the year before.

Again, enjoy and be sure to look for the full article on Wednesday.

The final, and arguably most important piece to the 2001 team was set: Miami had its head coach.

Now it was time to get to work. A team that had been denied a shot at a National Championship the season before, was not going to allow that to happen again.

Joaquin Gonzalez (senior, offensive tackle): The one thing I remember going into 2001 was, Larry Coker and his staff, as well as the players decided that we weren’t going to leave the decision on who plays for the championship on anyone else’s plate but our own. 

Brett Romberg (junior, center): (Our mindset was) ‘This year it ain’t gonna be decided on a poll or whatever kind of computer analysis.’ We were worked up, ready to get back at it.

Maurice Sikes (sophomore, safety): If you’re going to say you’re a champion, earn it. Don’t leave it to a voter; don’t leave it to anything to chance.’

D.J. Williams (sophomore, linebacker): It was great to be there with Butch, but when he left our plan didn’t change.

Brett Romberg (junior, center): We were anxious to get back at it. We didn’t want downtime. Usually you’re excited to get back home, brag ‘We just won the Sugar Bowl’ but we didn’t want that. We were like, ‘Let’s get back in the weight room, and get after it.

Ed Reed (senior, safety): When we got back to Miami to start spring football … my God. That spring before that National Championship year, those off-season workouts, it was like no other in the world.

Andreu Swasey (strength and conditioning coach): That was our DNA (to work hard). That is part of our system. It wasn’t talent-driven, it was work-ethic driven.

Mike Rumph (senior, cornerback): I don’t feel like we get ever get credit for our work ethic. I played six years in the NFL and the hardest I ever worked was at Miami. Those summers were treacherous.

Frank Gore (freshman, running back): My first day I get there, we were doing agilities with the linebackers; I’m competing with Chris Campbell, God rest his soul, and I’m like ‘Man, I think I made the wrong decision.’ I’m the top (high school) running back, how is a linebacker beating me in agilities?

Clinton Portis (junior, running back): We competed in everything! We all wanted to be the fastest player, we all wanted to be the best basketball player, we all wanted to be the highest jumper, we all wanted to be the best at everything we did.

Antrel Rolle (freshman, cornerback): The way we practiced, it was insane. I’ll be honest with you, it was literally insane. You would think that we did not like each other, on the field, off the field.

Mike Rumph (senior, cornerback): It was just a machine. It was a machine but we were just so afraid to have failure.

Curtis Johnson (wide receivers coach): Andreu Swasey said this all the time: The players were always around. They were always around us, always around the office. It’d be Friday night, Saturday morning, they’d be around, they’d want to want watch more film, and we couldn’t get rid of these guys for nothing. Their whole lives revolved around this little football team.

Mark Stoops (defensive backs coach): Soon after I was hired by Larry (as defensive backs coach in 2001) I was in my office working on a Saturday and I saw one of my players come by, then I saw another one. Over the course of the morning several guys stopped up and were talking. And I thought it was odd. I asked one of them, ‘What are you doing here on a Saturday morning?’ And one of them just looked at me and tilted his head and was like ‘Coach, this is just what we do.’

Mike Rumph (senior, cornerback): People didn’t see the Saturdays where we met up as a team (in the off-season). Or the meetings we’d have 6 in the morning, where there were no coaches there.

Brett Romberg (junior, center): Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m., no matter how hung-over you were, you are in the field.

Mark Stoops (defensive backs coach): Over the course of the morning several guys stopped up and were talking. And I thought it was odd. I asked one of them, ‘What are you doing here on a Saturday morning?’ And one of them just looked at me and tilted his head and was like ‘Coach, this is just what we do.’

Brett Romberg (junior, center): Granted, you didn’t have to be there. At any other school a guy might show up at 8:05 with his shoes untied or something. Not at Miami. No, if you didn’t show up at 7:55 ready to go, you got shunned. Nobody wants to talk to you, because you think you’re so much bigger than the group. There were never any egos.

Mark Stoops (defensive backs coach): They did seven-on-seven with each other, the o-line and d-line worked basically the whole year round. That’s just what they did; it was part of their culture… I was blown away by the player’s self-motivation and how great the leaders were there.

Don Soldinger (running backs coach): One time, Frank Gore called me at 3:30 a.m. to ask me about pass protections.

Frank Gore (freshman, running back): He said ‘If you need help, don’t be afraid to call.’ So I was studying my plays and I called him and told him to quiz me.

Andreu Swasey (strength and conditioning coach): Who stood out as leaders and workers from that group? Can I say ‘The team?’ I had so many guys.

Curtis Johnson (wide receivers coach): It started during 2000, but the players, they really policed themselves. We had no altercations, we had no nothing.

Ed Reed (senior, safety): We told coach, ‘If anything happens with the players on the team coach, we got it. Don’t you worry about it.’

D.J. Williams (sophomore, linebacker): As far as punishment, that was all done within the locker room.

Andreu Swasey (strength and conditioning coach): If you didn’t make your times, it wasn’t pretty for you. And I didn’t have anything to do with it! I did everything to help you, I might try to save you, but the rest of the guys would be like ‘Coach, you might not want to see this.’

Phillip Buchanon (junior, cornerback): The coaches aren’t gonna handle this. This is our locker room. We’re going to handle this.

Andreu Swasey (strength and conditioning coach): They handled their own discipline. So I’d start talking and Ed Reed would cut me off, like ‘I don’t mean any disrespect…’ then he’d handle the lecture for me. And I’m like ‘Damn, ok.’

Curtis Johnson (wide receivers coach): I remember, Sean Taylor was a freshman and I was watching him right at the beginning of two-a-days and Sean, he just didn’t run (as) fast (as he could) or something. And the coach went to get on him, and before the coach could get there Ed Reed just jumped on him; Sean was almost crying. It was the worst thing you could ever see, but the coaches didn’t have to do any of that, the players did it all. When that happens, I knew we were well on our way.

Najeh Davenport (senior, fullback): This may seem bad to say, but my senior year, Coach Coker was the head coach, Coach Chud was the offensive coordinator, but once we learned the system, that’s all she wrote.

Maurice Sikes (sophomore, safety): (Coker) knew how great of a team he had. He had been there with us. We had great leadership on our team, we had great coaches, great assistants, great starters, great back-ups. We knew what we had, and knew we didn’t need much tinkering.

Brett Romberg (junior, center): Butch Davis had done a great job steering that ship and doing a great job in building it, and all we needed was somebody to maintain the animal. Coker was the perfect fit.

Maurice Sikes (sophomore, safety): He had a very good understanding of the fact that he had a masterpiece. All he had to do was take it to the damn museum.

Najeh Davenport (senior, fullback): We were teaching each other, coaching each other, watching film together. We were destined to win the National Championship. 

Randy Shannon (defensive coordinator): I felt like we had a bunch of guys who had a common goal. They wanted to win a championship.
Aaron is a contributor at FoxSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter @Aaron_Torres, and be sure to check FoxSports.com for the full article on Wednesday.

LAS VEGAS (CN) - Former NFL running back Clinton Portis owes a Las Vegas casino more than $10,000 for two unpaid markers, the MGM Grand Casino claims in court.

The MGM Grand Hotel sued Portis on Friday, in Clark County Court.

The casino claims Portis got two "negotiable credit instruments known as markers," worth more than $10,000, on Jan. 31, 2011.

The casino says the markers "were presented through normal banking channels for payment" on Portis' bank account, but they were "returned dishonored and unpaid."

MGM Grand says it sent a written demand by certified mail on March 26, 2011, but Portis refuses to pay.

The casino wants the money, plus $1,000 in damages and attorneys' fees.

The Denver Broncos drafted Portis in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft. He earned the NFL Rookie of the Year award after rushing for 1,508 yards and 15 touchdowns on 273 rushing attempts and catching 33 passes for 364 yards and two touchdowns.

The Broncos traded Portis to Washington in 2004. He finished his career with 9,923 rushing yards and 11,941 yards in total offense. He earned trips to the Pro Bowl in 2003 and 2008.

Portis retired after the 2010 season and is among several former NFL players who in August 2013 sued the league over concussions.


(courthousenews.com)

Charlotte, N.C. - The ACC Digital Network (ACCDN) announced its fall programming, revealing the return of Football Analyst, Clinton Portis and their plans to spotlight ACC member schools through extended coverage this football season. The ACCDN, the official home of ACC Game Highlights and Must See Moments, takes another step towards providing ACC sports fans with even more fun and interactive video features to take their enjoyment of college sports to the next level this fall.  

The ACCDN fall lineup, highlighted by its expansive Saturday coverage of ACC Football on theACC.com, will keep fans up to speed and entertained all week with Clinton Portis’s unique personality and Jeff Fischel’s inside access.  Fans will see the return of popular segments such as Ram Power Plays, CP’s Top 3, Are You Serious?, and the addition of a video feature to accompany the Weekly ACC Power Poll, Jeff Fischel’s Power Poll, beginning September 2.  The ACCDN also brings back its in-depth look into the elite soccer conference every Wednesday with ACC Soccer Weekly.  In addition to these weekly features, fans can count on ACC Now, the ACCDN’s daily trending show, to deliver up-to-date conference and sports news.   

"The ACC Digital Network continues its commitment to keeping fans informed, engaged and entertained," said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. "This fall is no exception as the ACCDN will once again deliver first-class programming that highlights all 15 ACC member schools."

“Fans know they can count on the ACCDN to bring them video highlights, Must See Moments and unprecedented access all season long,” said Executive Producer Andy Siegel.   “We also know our fans crave the unique features we do about their favorite team, so I think ACC football fans are going to absolutely love what we're offering this fall.”

On a weekly basis, the ACCDN will select specific ACC member institutions and provide additional feature content such as unique storylines, one-on-one interviews and classic games that will appeal to sports fans across the country.   The first school under the spotlight is Clemson University.  With a huge rematch against Georgia coming up on Saturday, the ACCDN is getting fans hyped up with its feature Hype Video, and One-on-One Interviews with Dabo Swinney and Cole Stoudt.    On Thursday, Clemson fans can relive the 1987 Clemson vs. Georgia game with a condensed throwback version.

Fans are encouraged to follow the ACC Digital Network’s unique video, photo gallery, and commentary on twitter and instagram at @theACCDN as well as with the broadcast team @JeffFischel and @TheRealC_Portis.

All ACCDN video on demand segments are viewable at theACC.com, through the Official ACC App for mobile phones and tablets, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, as well as affiliate partner websites, and connected mobile and TV devices.


(theacc.com)

Join the Players Draft Party on the ACC Digital Network from 8 p.m. Thursday til the end of the first round for live-streaming commentary on the 2014 NFL draft. Panthers TE Greg Olsen joins Clinton Portis, Renaldo Wynn and host Jeff Fischel.





(charlotteobserver.com)

GRANITE QUARRY ­­— Clinton Portis retired from the NFL in 2012 but he’s got plenty of good years left.

He’s 32 now, but not that far removed from the 17- and 18-year olds he was talking to at East Rowan High School on Wednesday afternoon. Sports can keep you young, but it can age your body in a hurry, especially if you’re a running back. If there’s a lesson to be taught from retiring at 29, it’s that opportunities don’t come around often and don’t last forever. Portis maximized his talents and tried to relay that to the students in an assembly.

Granite Quarry is probably as far away as you can get from Miami culturally, but Portis entered East in a nondescript gray hooded sweatshirt looking like another Rowan County resident and not a record-breaking football star.

“I wouldn’t say it was cut short,” Portis said of his playing days. “I played long enough. I think nine years in the NFL was great. My time was up. Injuries are a part of the game. It’s a violent game and I played it to the best of my abilities.”

His time in college was awesome too. Portis was part of the 2001 Miami team that won the national championship and had an unreal legacy with NFL players like Jeremy Shockey, Ed Reed, Andre Johnson, Willis McGahee and Vince Wilfork. The Hurricanes rolled Nebraska 37-14 in the national title game, giving the ‘Canes their fifth championship in 18 years.

“It was unbelievable,” said Portis, who was inducted into the Miami Hall of Fame last week. “Who’d ever thought looking back 10 years later that there’d be so many successful guys from that team.”

Portis headlined a three-school tour Wednesday that was part of a “Game Plan For Life” program that was sponsored by the Rowan-Kannapolis ABC Board and Joe Gibbs Racing. Former NFL players Steve Israel, Renaldo Wynn and NASCAR driver Darrell Wallace also spoke at length about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.

Israel, now a wealth management advisor at Fifth Third Bank, told the crowd that when you invest in something, you see a bigger return. Setting goals was emphasized and Israel revealed his goals as a youth of playing football for Pittsburgh, obtaining an economics degree and dating the prettiest girl on campus.

Portis likened his life to always being fourth or fifth on the depth chart and overcoming challenges to become No. 1. As a small-town kid from Mississippi, Portis avoided drugs and alcohol and stayed out of trouble despite his brother, Gary Hampton, falling in with the wrong crowd and later serving time in prison.
After leaving the game at 29, he’s seeking fulfillment in contributing to the community.

The former Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins ball carrier works with ACC Network as a college football analyst.

Portis gave away autographed footballs to Sam Wyrick and Darin Basso and Amani Ajayi received a signed jersey.

“The opportunity to speak to today’s youth is an easy opportunity to be involved in,” Portis said. “I think kids think that they go through. I tell them it’s a recycled period. They go through the same thing I went through.”


(salisburyreport.com)

Clinton Portis, former running back who played in nine NFL seasons, has avoided a foreclosure on his condominium in Bristol Tower in Miami by selling it for $900,000, reports the South Florida Business Journal.

Purchased for $665,000 in 2004, the 2,070-square-foot condo sold for enough to allow Portis to repay his full loan as well as earn a 35 percent profit.

According to the report, the property was slated for foreclosure by JPMorgan and Chase, which filed a lawsuit against Portis and his mother regarding the original $512,000 mortgage Dec. 12. The mortgage was granted in 2004, the year in which Portis joined the Washington Redskins after his first two seasons at the Denver Broncos for an eight-year contract for $50.5 million.

An earlier report on the website says that as the property is not listed as his homestead residence, it may be an investment property or housing for a relative.
Portis began his career at the University of Miami. When he was still relatively unknown, Lee Corso singled out Portis' performance during a defeat by Florida State, saying "that kid can play for me any time." Portis' sophomore season was not as successful as he lost his job to Michael Rainha. However, in 2001, Portis bounced back as the Hurricanes won the National Championship.

Portis last suited up in 2010, playing only five games due to injury. He officially retired from the game in 2012 and was one of several dozens of former players in a lawsuit against the NFL over concussions they suffered. However, the lawsuit was resolved when the NFL agreed to compensate the players and provide for their medical care.

Last April, Portis was inducted into the UM Sports Hall of Fame.


(realtytoday.com)

Similar to how he skirted linebackers in the NFL, former Pro Bowl running back Clinton Portis evaded foreclosure on his Miami condo by selling it for enough to repay his loan.

JPMorgan Chase Bank filed a foreclosure lawsuit in December against Portis and his mother over the 2,070-square-foot unit in Bristol Tower at 2127 Brickell Ave. It concerned a mortgage granted for $512,000 in 2004.

Portis recently sold the unit for $900,000 to 2127 Brickell Property, which is managed by Paulo Javier Taborga Diaz.

Not only did that fully repay the loan, the sale was a 35 percent premium over the $665,000 that Portis paid for the condo in 2004, as the former University of Miami star benefitted big time from the real estate rebound.

Portis played for the Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins and last saw game action in 2010.


(bizjournals.com)

Skinny jeans don't dictate sexual orientation ... so says ex-NFL running back Clinton Portis who tells TMZ Sports he's already prepping for a wave of homophobic hate over his extremely tight pants. 

The former Washington Redskins superstar rocked his new look during an appearance on the NFL Network last week ... and people instantly went to Twitter to deliver the gay jokes, such as: 

-- "Clinton Portis dressing like he heading to the local gay bar & sh*t!!"
-- "Clinton Portis pants on nfl am gay as sh*t."
-- "Is Clinton portis Gay cause what he have on is wow Lmbo"

But Clinton tells TMZ Sports it doesn't bother him ... saying, ""People are really judgmental. They'll make comments, but I'm comfortable with myself. I know I like girls. I felt good about the outfit." 

Portis -- who notes he bought the entire outfit at Zara for $300 (including the shoes) -- says, "People say 'I can't believe you wore that.' Give them some time and everyone will be wearing it."


(tmzsports.com)

Clinton Portis was expecting a fancy town car to take him to the airport this morning -- instead, he got a '99 Honda Civic and a driver who wouldn't put down a bucket of fried chicken ... so, of course, he took pics. 

The former Pro-Bowl running back was out in Charlotte, NC on business -- and got hooked up with a car service that was supposed to take the VIP back to the airport in style.

Instead, Portis tells TMZ Sports ... "A 75 year old woman pulled up in a black 99' Civic, and there's two baby seats in the back."

"I put my bag on the baby seat and I got in the front. The lady was eating Bojangles [chicken]. I said 'this gotta be a prank."

It was no prank. This chicken-chowing chauffeur then asked Portis if HE knew the way to the airport. Not a good sign.

"We were at a red light and she punched the gas. We spun out. I couldn't stop laughing." 

Portis eventually made it to the airport but said everyone was staring when he climbed out of the car.

"I tried to tip her, but she declined," he tells us.


(tmz.com)

NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amarantus BioScience Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB:AMBS), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of novel diagnostics and therapeutics related to neurodegeneration and apoptosis, and Brewer Sports International (BSI), a multi-faceted global sports advisory firm, are pleased to provide an update surrounding the Amarantus #C4CT Summit hosted by Brewer Sports International, powered by MDM Worldwide, to be held on Wednesday, January 29(th) in the Trusteeship Council at the United Nations in New York City, NY during Super Bowl Week.

The conference will unite industry experts, leading scientists, neurologists and international business leaders with current and former professional athletes in effort to create consensus on the path forward for scientific research and commercial development.

LIMITED REGISTRATION OPEN AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES STILL AVAILABLE

To register or for additional information, please visit www.c4ctsummit.com. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. For further information surrounding sponsorship opportunities, please contact Danielle Berman at danielle.berman@thebrewergroup.com. Students interested in attending the conference are able to register with limited access to the conference for free and must show a valid student ID upon check in.

Below is a list of prestigious participants from the sports field, including current and retired professional athletes, broadcasters and other key stakeholders for the #C4CT Concussion Awareness Summit. Full agenda including all scheduled presenters is included following the release.

-- Andrea Kremer, Chief Correspondent for Player Health and Safety at the
NFL Network
-- Andre Berto, Professional Boxer, Two-Time Welterweight Champion
-- Antonio Pierce, Super Bowl Champion, NFL Pro Bowl Linebacker, ESPN NFL
Analyst
-- Ben Utecht, Super Bowl Champion, Recording Artist, Motivational Speaker
and TBI Advocate
-- Brian Williams, Former NFL Cornerback
-- Carl Eller, NFL Hall of Famer, President and Chairman of the Board of the
NFL Retired Players Association
-- Chris Nowinski, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Sports Legacy
Institute; Co-Director for the Center of the Study of Traumatic
Encephalopathy at Boston University, School of Medicine; Former WWE
Wrestler
-- Clinton Portis, NFL Pro Bowl Running Back
-- Darrell Reid, Super Bowl Champion, NFL Linebacker
-- Drayton Florence, Carolina Panthers Cornerback
-- E.J. Henderson, NFL Pro Bowl Linebacker
-- Jeff Cumberland, New York Jets Tight End
-- Jeremy Shockey, Super Bowl Champion, NFL Pro Bowl Tight End
-- Jermichael Finley, Super Bowl Champion, Green Bay Packers Tight End
-- Leigh Steinberg, CEO, Steinberg Sports and Entertainment
-- Robert Griffith, NFL Pro Bowl Safety
-- Sidney Rice, NFL Pro Bowler, Seattle Seahawks Wide Receiver

"As a former NFL player, I am passionate about making strides to improve the health and safety of my fellow professional athletes, both former and current," said Jack Brewer, CEO of Brewer Sports International. "Instead of pointing fingers, we have put together a world class panel of researchers to discuss TBI-induced Neurodegeneration and CTE with those directly affected by and equally passionate about the cause as we strive to enhance awareness and work to find viable treatments."

The #C4CT Summit is the opening of the five-day Brewer Sports International Super Bowl XLVIII Exclusive Events series, which includes The Jack Brewer Foundation (JBF Worldwide) Global Ambassadors Sport for Development Summit, Super Bowl Blue Carpet Event and the 6th Annual JBF Worldwide Super Bowl Watch Event at the Grand Havana Room.

#C4CT Concussion Awareness Summit Wednesday, January 29, 2014 Emceed by NFL Network's Andrea Kremer


(wsj.com)

Clinton Portis, a former Pro Bowl running back for the Washington Redskins and a star on the University of Miami’s last national championship team, has been hit with a foreclosure lawsuit over a Miami condo unit.

JPMorgan Chase Bank filed a foreclosure lawsuit Dec. 12 against Portis and his mother over the 2,070-square-foot unit in Bristol Tower, 2127 Brickell Ave. It is not listed as his homestead residence, so it may be an investment property or housing for a relative.

The lawsuit concerns a mortgage granted for $512,000 in 2004. That’s the same year Portis joined the Redskins after playing his first two seasons for the Denver Broncos. Washington signed him to an eight-year, $50.5 million deal in 2004.

Portis last suited up in 2010, playing only five games due to injury. He officially retired in 2012 and was one of dozens of former players in a lawsuit against the NFL over concussions they suffered. The lawsuit was settled with the NFL agreeing to compensate the players and provide for their medical care.

Portis will be inducted into the UM Sports Hall of Fame on April 10.


(bizjournals.com)

Media ethicist Clinton Portis became the latest person to weigh in on the rash of anonymous sources spraying information about the Redskins over the past two months. This happened when Portis asked if he noticed an obstacle in the way of sustained football success in Washington.

“You know, up until Coach Gibbs leaving, honestly, I never paid attention to the media, I never paid attention to the outside world,” Portis told Danny Rouhier and Grant Paulsen on 106.7 The Fan. (Listen here) “It was just a fun environment. I think the guys we had in that locker room, the brotherly love, the ins and outs — you know, guys would argue and keep it moving — but I never really paid attention to the media until after Coach Gibbs was gone. And all of a sudden, it was like how is everything that happens here leaked, and inside information, and sources say. It’s always sources say. And then that became the staple.

“Now it’s all of a sudden a trust issue within, because you don’t know who’s saying what,” Portis continued. “It’s always sources say. And I think that’s the quickest way to tear down a locker room. You have so many reporters from the Washington Redskins putting out a story, and all of it is sources say. And you’re looking around like, ‘How many people can talk to the media?’ And guys that you see talking to the media, you’re like well, I don’t THINK he said it. But all of a sudden it just becomes so many questions of who in this locker room is throwing me under the bus.

“And that’s the obstacle that’s in your way in that organization, because you don’t know,” Portis said. “Anything I ever said, it was, ‘Put Clinton Portis said,’ and let’s be clear, and I’ll correct it later if it was an issue. But outside of that it’s sources said, and anonymous, and the leaks that come out of the locker room. It just makes you look around like, wow, who’s in here?”

Now, first of all, anonymous sources have existed for as long as the Redskins have existed. See this, for example. That didn’t stop during the four years of Gibbs II.

Also, it’s easy for Portis (or me) to talk bad about anonymous sources when we aren’t beat writers, tasked with the unenviable chore of breaking news while making sure other local or national outlets do not get ahead of us on any stories.

That said, he (and I) could point out that you have to make judgment calls on when information is important and newsworthy enough to offer the protection of anonymity. And that some of the character attacks on various Redskins figures this season — comments that clearly wouldn’t have been made if the talkers were required to put their names on the line — might really have failed that judgment test, depending on the judge.


(washingtonpost.com)

During the lead-up to Monday night’s BCS title game in Southern California, forever-Redskin Clinton Portis acted out the “Royale With Cheese” scene from “Pulp Fiction,” with his ACC Digital Network colleague Jeff Fischel playing the part of John Travolta.

Kind of a tough scene to do without profanity. And sideburns. And an Afro. Still, Portis has potential, as displayed in his famous Ram Hunt scene with Chris Cooley. Add the three previously mentioned items and boost the production budget, and I’d give it another try.




(washingtonpost.com)

Clinton Portis called into his old teammate Fred Smoot’s radio show on DC radio station 106.7 The Fan and sometime during his chat about training camps of past, got pulled over for speeding.

The interview was going well until Smoot and co-host Kevin Shafer bid him goodbye and he said: “Hey y’all no problem, you all just got me a speeding ticket.”
Apparently the trooper was not impressed with Portis’ NFL credentials. While it was never established what team the trooper rooted for, the radio hosts did express concern he was a Ravens fan.

“I shouldn’t have gave him my license, I should have just hit it,” Portis joked as he waited for the police officer to run his license.

The hosts then asked if he’d gotten a ticket before.

“This is probably my 30th one,” he said, later adding he was going 45 in a 30 mph zone.

Portis ended up with two tickets, he said.

He then tried to get the trooper to talk to the radio station. “I’ve got some friends that want to talk to you,” he said to the trooper, who he addressed as “Mr. Trooper.”

The officer declined. Portis, of course, isn’t the first football player to get pulled over while on The Fan. Chris Cooley was pulled over in 2010.


(usatoday.com)

Current Texans receiver Andre Johnson and Hurricanes football greats Clinton Portis and Lamar Thomas headline the UM Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2014.

All eight members will be formally introduced at halftime of Miami’s home finale against Virginia on Saturday, Nov. 23.

The Class of 2014 also includes Heat forward James Jones (basketball, 1999-2003), Jeff Morrison (baseball, 1978-81), Wyllesheia Myrick (track, 1998-2002), Rio Ramirez (diving, 1997-99) and Javy Rodriguez (baseball, 1999-2002).

The University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 1966 by eight Dade County Circuit Court judges, who wanted to establish an organization that would recognize those student-athletes, coaches and administrators who excelled at their sport and brought acclaim to the University of Miami through achievements and championships.

With the addition of the eight newest members, the Sports Hall of Fame will increase to 282 honorees. The eight-member class will be inducted at the 46th annual UMSHoF Induction Banquet, which will be held April 10, 2014.

For more information on the banquet, fans can visit www.UMSportsHallofFame.com or call 305-284-2775.


(miamiherald.com)

On the day the Boston Red Sox were parading around Boston to celebrate their latest World Series championship, New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez was down in Tallahassee to root on the Miami Hurricanes from field level.

Rodriguez, of course, has some ties to Miami but we'll leave his alleged performance enhancing use for our friends at The Outside Corner to digest. As you can see here, A-Rod was repping The U with a Miami cap and windbreaker. He also took a couple seconds to talk to former Miami running back Clinton Portis, who is now doing video work for the ACC Digital Network. Rodriguez said he would run through the Miami smoke entrance and flashed The U with Portis.

Retired Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis is among a group of 16 current and former NFL players who are suing BB&T Bank for nearly $60 million in alleged investment losses.

The Baltimore Sun has obtained a copy of the lawsuit, which was first reported by Yahoo! Sports. The lawsuit alleges that Lewis, a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year who retired following the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII victory in February, lost $3.778 million.

Lewis' agent, David Dunn, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

In addition to Lewis, former Ravens linebacker Tavares Gooden allegedly lost $515,000 through an unauthorized bank transfer, according to the lawsuit.
Several NFL players are accusing the bank of allowing disgraced financial advisor Jeff Rubin and his former firm, Pro Sports Financial, to open accounts in their names and place tens of millions of dollars in unauthorized investments. The majority of the money went to a failed casino bingo project in Alabama that was deemed illegal under Alabama law in July of 2012.

"While we have not had the opportunity to review the allegations in detail, we understand this case concerns actions taken by BankAtlantic prior to its acquisition by BB&T in 2012," David R. White, BB&T's vice president of corporate communications, told Yahoo. "Because this is pending litigation, we cannot comment further."  

Rubin, whose firm provided financial-related services to professional athletes, has since been banned from the securities industry.

The other NFL players who are plaintiffs in the lawsuit and the money allegedly lost by each individual includes: former Atlanta Falcons defensive end Jamaal Anderson ($5.813 million), former St. Louis Rams and Tennessee Titans offensive guard Jacob Bell $3.339 million), former wide receiver Derrick Gaffney (2.295 million), San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore ($8.745 million), New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes ($1.159 million), linebacker Greg Jones $2.006 million), former Titans and Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Jevon Kearse ($7.958 million), former Washington Redskins defensive end Kenard Lang ($1.648 million), Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather ($3.645 million), Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss ($4.852 million), former Redskins running back Clinton Portis ($3.136 million), former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard ($5.011 million), former Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots running back Fred Taylor ($2.993 million) and former Cleveland Browns and Patriots defensive tackle Gerard Warren ($3 million).

The lawsuit alleges that BB&T developed a "close business relationship with Pro Sports, Rubin and other Pro Sports employees," including a special division "dedicated to targeting and servicing athletes and others in the sports industry,"

According to the lawsuit, Pro Sports deposited tens of millions of dollars of the plaintiffs' money in BB&T accounts opened and maintained in the plaintiffs' names with "illegitimate accounts that were opened with signature cards containing signatures that were forged by Pro Sports’ employees."

"After the monies were deposited, BB&T allowed numerous unusual, suspicious and extraordinary withdrawals from accounts opened in the name of each plaintiff that were neither within the scope of the service identified in the client services agreement nor authorized by the plaintiff in whose name the account was opened," the lawsuit alleges. "BB&T had actual knowledge that certain transactions on the plaintiffs’ accounts were unauthorized and exceeded the scope of the plaintiffs’ client service agreements with Pro Sports."

Former Ravens cornerback Duane Starks also had a relationship with Rubin’s firm.


(baltimoresun.com)

Clinton Portis the newest member of the of the ACC  Digital Network talks with The Drive about Nevin Shapiro and his dealing with the University of Miami.  We first ask him if Clinton new Nevin.

“No I didn’t meet Nevin until after I came back to Miami.  I was already in the NFL”

Next we talk about the in state rival Florida State and Jameis Winston.

“When you look at this kid and how he’s stepping in and leading this team and how the team is rallying around him it’s a beautiful thing”

“Hands down I think Florida State is the best team in the country”

We also get into the concussions that Clinton sustained over his career.  Suffering 10 concussions over his career he is greatly interested in the process of coming back from concussions.

“When you are playing it was always you’re just dinged up”

Back in the day you’d stand on the sidelines for a little bit and maybe you couldn’t see for a minute then they’d ask you ‘you ready to go back in’ and you would”

We close by talking about the Hurricane teams that Clinton played on.

“Hands down the team I played on was the best college team ever with Vince Wilfork, Ed Reed, Reggie Wayne…”

“What Butch Davis was building there was something special with the 98 recruiting class”


(cbslocal.com)

I’ve written several times about the terrific roast of Joe Gibbs at Landsdowne a few weeks ago, the one held to raise money for the D.C. College Access Program.

Here’s yet another post on the event. This one, to me, shows that it’s easier to tell hilarious stories about the distant past than the recent past, because what might seem hilarious 30 years later seems bit uncomfortable after only six or seven years.

Clinton Portis was the only player from the Gibbs II era who spoke at the event, although at least one other — Derrick Dockery — was in the crowd. And while Portis was quite funny throughout, he also seemed to confirm many of the stories that were long whispered about his practice habits.

“I just always thought Coach Gibbs was a yes man, and the reason I always thought he was a yes man is every time I walked up to coach he would get this smile on his face and he would already be shaking his head,” Portis quipped. “So I would be like, yeah, I got him, I’m gonna get out of practice today. I would be walking up, like, what can I tell him, what hurt me today that he can’t really figure out?

“Coach, I’ve got a headache. I’m like all right, he says yes to everything I ask….So I remember talking to coach, and I was buying into everything he said. When he called me about the trade, to bring me here and help out, he wanted me to be his running back, I was so excited, I remember seeing him in his hotel. I came, I had lunch with him — man, this is going to be great. And we went through the practice schedule, and the first thing he said was, this is not gonna be like Denver, we hit around here.

“I was like yeah, we hit too. [But] I didn’t know we was gonna wear pads. The day before we left for a game, we were in full pads, practicing. I was like maybe this ain’t for me. That’s what he used to tell me, this is real football.

“I asked about having an indoor facility. I told him when I first got here we needed turf fields. All this stuff that I had requests for, and he would shake his head and he would say, you’ve got to go talk to Dan down the hall about that. It was so often….

“I skip to the Cincinnati incident in preseason, and I really felt like I shouldn’t be in this game. And then I had gave him all week the reasons I shouldn’t be playing – coach, man, the season’s coming up, I’m poised to have a big season, I’m looking forward to it.

“Yeah, Clinton, but we’ve got to see you in action out here.”

“I remember getting out and stretching, Coach Al Saunders, I told him, coach, I just don’t feel right, my hamstring’s tight. Coach Gibbs was standing right there, I said, coach, c’mon, don’t make me play.

“We’re not gonna give you the ball, Clinton.”

“Third play of the game, we throw an interception, I chase it down, my shoulder come out….”

“So many times that I went into Coach Gibbs’s office with a story, and he was all for it when it was just me and him. ALL for it. Every time I went into his office, I left feeling like it was gonna be okay. [Derrick Dockery] would send me in – CP, go see if coach want us to be in pads today. I’d go upstairs, coach, don’t nobody want to be in pads. This is just from me and Dock’s conversation, I’m speaking for the whole team. Me and Dock decided we didn’t want to be in pads, I’d go up to coach, [and it] don’t look like we’re gonna be in pads. So I’d go down, Dock would be like, hey, what’d he say?

“He said alright, we’re not gonna be in pads.”

“Then we’d look at the board: full pads. So I would have to go and do something on my own: first play, twist my ankle.”

There was lots of laughter throughout this. Including from Gibbs. But it seemed to confirm a whole lot of stories. Gibbs himself spoke at length about Portis during his speech, and also drew laughter.

“Let me say this, out of all the players I coached, I don’t think ANYBODY, EVER, would do the things Clinton would do,” Gibbs said to guffaws. “I would be out at practice, man, I’m fired up, we’re at practice, going as hard as we can. When I came [back], I’d been out 11 years. I got ‘em back in pads, and Clinton had been in Denver, where they practiced in pajamas.

“So I would be out and I would hear behind me a little voice going, coaaaach. Who is that? I would turn around, and it’d be Clinton, and he’d go, why do we have these on? And I would go, what? And he goes, these, and would point to the shoulder pads. I go, Clinton, because that’s what we play in, okay?”

But lest there be any doubt, both men were saying this all in good fun, and closed with strong words of praise for the other.

“Clinton knows football,” Gibbs said. “I will say this: I can honestly say this, [if] I told John [Riggins] that we had a play he was gonna have to block in and I called it, he would call timeout. John wanted the football. Let me have the football. So we had to go to the one back because of John, we had nobody else. This guy [Portis] without the ball was as unselfish as anybody I’ve ever coached. This guy would hammer you as a back. And I always appreciated one thing about Clinton: from Monday to Saturday he would halfway drive you crazy, ok? But on Sunday, when we got dressed, and you looked into his eyes, this guy was ready to go. He was unselfish without the ball, and he would hammer people, and those quarterbacks loved him on pass protection. So anyway, Clinton, thank you for that, I appreciate it man.”

And here’s Portis.

“So many situations I could give you for a roast, but tonight I would rather take the toast route and share my appreciation for Coach Gibbs, and just being thankful for coach,” the running back said. “He was like the pops that I never had. I think he gave me the opportunity to come here and lead an organization that I was clueless about, and to learn the history of all the guys in front of me. To even come close to Riggo’s record, to be able to chase him and being able to sit on a stage with him tonight, none of this would have happened if it wasn’t for Coach Gibbs.”

“Thanks for the trade,” Portis concluded. “I know I’d still be running wild if I would have stayed in Denver, but thanks for bringing me here.”

Like I said, there were peals of laughter throughout all of this. Still seemed interesting.


(washingtonpost.com)

The NFL reached a tentative $765 million settlement over concussion-related brain injuries Thursday, agreeing to compensate victims, pay for medical exams and underwrite research for 18,000 retired players, including the 4,500 former athletes named as plaintiffs in the separate lawsuits against the league.

One of those players, former Redskins running back Clinton Portis, who recently revealed he had “a lot of concussions” in his career, which have since led to memory loss, blurry vision and headaches, called the landmark agreement a “win-win for both sides.”

“For those families to be able to go out and still provide for themselves, I think it’s going to give money to families,” Portis told 106.7 The Fan’s Lavar and Dukes Thursday. “There’s so many categories that this money will be broken up to, so it’s not like players are just going to go in and pick up a lump sum check and you’re done. I think it’s for preparation down the line, and that’s what a lot of people needed.”

Part of that money has been allotted for future testing, because as Portis put it, “we still don’t know the repercussions of the concussions.”

“There’s so many categories that this money will be broken up to, so it’s not like players are just going to go in and pick up a lump sum check and you’re done,” he said. “I think it’s for preparation down the line, and that’s what a lot of people needed.”

Portis stressed the importance of players educating themselves, which he insists will be easier now that the NFL and it’s players are on the same page with concussions.

“I don’t think the league or the union wants to turn this into ‘Let’s sue for everything. Let’s sue the NFL for everything that happens on the field to someone,’” Clinton said. “I think when we sign up for football, we’re really aware of what we’re signing up for and knowing that we can go out and get hurt, and get banged up.”

“It’s not going to solve everything,” Portis clarified. “You can’t find an answer to solve everything that’s going on in life, and you can’t blame the NFL for everything that’s happening.”


(cbslocal.com)

The ACC Digital Network announced that former UM tailback Clinton Portis will be part of its broadcast team.





(miamiherald.com)

Last August, Clinton Portis choked back emotion during a news conference at Redskins Park as he officially ended his nine-year NFL career.
“This game provided me with everything I ever wanted,” the second-leading rusher in Washington Redskins history said.

A year later, the sentiment has faded. On Tuesday, Portis joined the stream of former players suing the NFL over head injuries, according to court records obtained by The Washington Times.

Portis is the lead plaintiff in an 83-player lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Other plaintiffs include former Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper and 1,000-yard rusher Carnell “Cadillac” Williams.

But Portis, who played his final regular season game in 2010, is one of the biggest names of the last decade to participate in the litigation that has surged past 4,500 former players.

Ahman Green sued. Same with Stephen Davis and Thomas Jones and Dante Hall, in legal action where around 85 percent of the plaintiffs played before 2000.

Portis is the latest in a slew of big-name former Redskins to sue the NFL, joining Hall of Famer Art Monk, Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien and three founding members of the Hogs — Jeff Bostic, Joe Jacoby and Mark May — among more than 300 players-turned-plaintiffs.

Portis rolled up 9,923 yards with the Denver Broncos and Redskins. He finished 648 yards shy of Hall of Famer John Riggins‘ franchise career rushing record and holds the 28th best total in NFL history. That led to two Pro Bowls and, according to the 128-page complaint, issues that haven’t left.

The lawsuit claims Portis suffers from headaches, among other problems, and is “at heightened risk of developing further adverse neurological symptoms in the future.”

On Twitter late Wednesday, Portis described former players as “picked up & left behind” and defended his decision to join the litigation.

“The NFL was great to me and so was the Redskins!” he wrote. “This not personal it’s protection for the future.”

Later Portis added: “This is not about money for me I’m doing just fine!”

In recent months, Portis discussed the price of his success and seemed to lay the groundwork to join the litigation. During a June interview with CBSSports.com, Portis estimated he sustained 10 or more concussions during his career.

“The truth is I had a lot of concussions,” Portis said. “It was just the way things were at the time. I’d get hit hard and be woozy. I’d be dizzy. I’d take a play off and then go back in. Sometimes when I went back into the game, I still couldn’t see straight. This happened all the time. Sometimes once or twice a game.”

The most memorable of those hits came in November 2009 against the Atlanta Falcons. In the first quarter, Portis collided with two defenders. That included a helmet-to-helmet hit.

The blow left him unconscious and forced him to miss four games before finally being placed on injured reserve to end his season.

The month after Portis‘ hit and in the aftermath of several high-profile head injuries, the NFL announced a policy that required players who showed signs of concussion to be removed from games and barred them from returning the same day.

The Redskins released Portis in 2011, after he battled a torn groin muscle and the team faced an $8.3 million salary cap hit.

“Clinton gave everything he had, there is no question about it,” coach Mike Shanahan, who worked with Portis in Denver and Washington, said Wednesday. “He is one of the most physical players I’ve ever coached. Took a lot of pride in blocking as well as running. He was a credit to the game. I am not going to speak on his behalf of his concussions.”

Portis‘ complaint uses similar language to the more than 260 lawsuits filed, claiming the NFL didn’t do enough to protect players from head injuries and concealed their long-term impact from players. The NFL has repeatedly denied those claims in public statements and in court filings.

Portis and his Miami-based attorneys didn’t return requests for comment.

The litigation has been consolidated in U.S. District Court in Pennsylvania. Before ruling on the NFL’s motion to dismiss in July, Judge Anita Brody ordered both sides to mediation. A progress report is due Sept. 3.


(washingtontimes.com)

Maybe the most underappreciated running back of his generation, a player who blocked with ferocity and ran with grace, is asked about concussions. Clinton Portis answers the way he always does: honestly and bluntly.

"The truth is I had a lot of concussions," he said. "It was just the way things were at the time. I'd get hit hard and be woozy. I'd be dizzy. I'd take a play off and then go back in. Sometimes when I went back into the game, I still couldn't see straight. This happened all the time. Sometimes once or twice a game."

How many concussions does he think he had?

"Numerous," Portis said.

Five? Ten?

"More than that, I think," Portis said.

"I can't put an exact number on it," he adds. "I just know it was a lot. I stopped counting at some point."

Despite that punishment. Portis was able to walk away from the game with limb and mind intact, which despite being one of the toughest people to ever play the game, is a minor miracle. Now, after those violent times on a football field, he spends his days with his kids or walking on a beach or just doing ... nothing. In all, he lives a normal life, with his health intact.

Portis' story is important for one major reason. It's well documented that numerous NFL players have had difficult transitions from their playing days into retirement. Both the NFL and union dedicate massive resources to struggling post-retirement players.

Portis is not fighting demons. The only fighting he's doing is against the traffic headed to the beach in the Miami area. Despite taking physical abuse -- in addition to being one of the most prolific runners in league history, he was also one of the top-three best blocking backs the sport has ever seen -- Portis says he's healthy. No known effects from the concussions thus far. No crutches. No emotional struggles. Just a relaxed life.

"I have a few aches and pains," he said, "nothing major. None of the, 'I can't stand up or walk' stuff. I got away from the game at the perfect time. To be 31 and retired and spending time with my kids, I love it."

Portis is one of those athlete success stories we rarely hear about, particularly retired athlete stories. In an NFL world recently dominated by news of alleged murderers and players going bankrupt, or how some players get so physically damaged they can no longer function as normal human beings, Portis says he left the sport unscathed and not bitter.

There are other tales like Portis' of players who left football content and successful -- see Michael Strahan -- but Portis' is one of the more unique because he is content with the simple joys of ordinary living. He doesn't want to be a star any longer. He just wants to be a normal dude.

"For a lot of players, it's an empty feeling when the attention is gone," said Portis. "A lot of players get caught up in the hype. They believe the NFL defined them as people. I loved football, and Redskins Nation, but football never defined me."

For those familiar with Portis, his intelligence and introspection is not shocking. For those who are not, Portis spent most of his career in Washington from 2004-2010, where he became one of the most popular players in team history. There were numerous outstanding backs who played during that decade. LaDainian Tomlinson, Fred Taylor, Ricky Williams. Portis was just as good as almost all of them.

In three of his first four seasons Portis rushed for at least 1,500 yards and in that fourth season he ran for 1,315 yards). In six of his first seven seasons, he rushed for at least 1,200. He had almost 10,000 yards for the decade and scored 75 touchdowns.

All the while he took an unbelievable pounding, and after what Portis disclosed about his concussions, we now know just how much of a pounding it was.
Despite being practically idolized by a Washington fan base, Portis kept perspective and a sense of humor. He became almost as famous for his various personas as he did his powerful running style.

Has Portis kept those costumes?

"I don't know what happened to most of the stuff," he said. "I still have some of the various pieces. I wish I would have held onto the glasses and the wig."

There was one misstep, when he seemed to back Mike Vick soon after it was disclosed Vick had been running a dog-fighting ring (Portis later clarified his comments). Overall, Portis smartly prepared for the day his career would end. He was ready when it did.

"Being retired is great," he said. "I was at the Redskins facility at eight in the morning and sometimes didn't leave until late at night. Now I don't have a schedule.
"I spent so much of my life in a job where people judged me. Now I just want to be around my kids, and be around people who love me. I miss Redskins Nation and I will always cherish Mr. Snyder (owner Dan Snyder) and coach (Joe) Gibbs. They gave me an opportunity to do something special."

Would he ever consider coming back?

"No way," he said, "I'm done. I'm staying retired. Life is too good."


(cbssports.com)

Despite having the latter portions of his own career derailed by a series of injuries, including one to his head, former Redskins great Clinton Portis has been an outspoken critic of new rules meant to protect players.

That continued this week, after the league’s owners voted “to enact a new safety measure that makes it illegal for a ball carrier to lower his head to strike a defender in some instances.”

In a pair of radio interviews, Portis argued that this new rule would cause more injuries, that it would continue the NFL’s transformation into a pass-all-the-time enterprise, and that the league will one day resemble flag football.

“I mean, you get concussions,” he told Danny Rouhier and Holden Kushner on 106.7 The Fan. (Audio here.) “That’s part of the game. You can’t prevent every injury….Now all of a sudden you’re asking smaller guys to keep their chest exposed, and somebody hits you on your chest; now you’ve got the sternum, you’ve got ribs, you’ve got all of that area that you need to protect. So what’s gonna be the next thing?….They’re trying to protect so much in the game, that you might as well turn it into flag football.”

The running back made a similar argument on SiriusXM NFL Radio.

“I don’t think the existence of the NFL will be gone in 30 years, but I think the NFL as we know it today and in past years will be gone,” he said. “I think you’re gonna see more of a flag football-type of game in 30 years. It’s gonna be so [unrecognizable] to the eyes of guys who can say I did it in the trenches. The Jack Tatums of the game will be forgotten about, because who do you compare in flag football?….Now all of a sudden you’ve got flag football. That’s just my perception. I think this game has been converted to the quarterback. The only topic of conversation is having a quarterback. It don’t matter who the running back is.”

On 106.7, Portis was asked if he at least understands the NFL’s motivation of trying to protect players, and he wouldn’t even go that far.

“I don’t, because there’s no way you can protect guys playing football,” he said. “There’s no way to protect guys playing a violent game. That’s the game of football. It’s violent. There’s no way to protect yourself. That’s what makes it America’s game. It’s like a gladiator sport, and the toughest team usually wins, or the toughest team is what people come out to appreciate. Now all of a sudden, you’re asking guys to kind of go out and play flag football.

“You know, over the tenure of my career there were so many identity things taken away,” he continued. “The individuality, the Joe Horn and Chad Ochocinco, the Terrell Owens, the celebration, that went first. Then the team celebration went. Then the hitting defenseless guys, the jamming receivers. It kind of takes all the fear away from the game. You’re taking away the individuality and the fear….

“How can Adrian Peterson run over people in the open field when people don’t fear him anymore?” Portis asked. “They know you can’t run over them in the open field. How can he lower his shoulder? You can’t run over me. That’s basically what it comes down to. When you lower your shoulder, you’ve got to lower your head. I’ve never seen anybody just drop a shoulder without dropping their head to lay boom. It goes hand in hand. To lower your shoulder you’ve got to hold your head down. So the violent running of Adrian Peterson that had everybody in awe this season is now taken away.”

And Portis argued, repeatedly, that more injuries would happen by asking players to change what they’ve always done.

“I just think this rule is going to create more injuries,” he said on SiriusXM. “You can’t play football trying to protect yourself. That’s known. It’s something you’ve been taught all your life: put your chin to your shoulder pad at contact, and now you can’t do that….I think you’re gonna start seeing a lot of sternums and collar bones and jaws being broke, and those particular injuries — stuff that you’re not normally [used to] in the NFL — when you’re running upright, straight up.”


(washingtonpost.com)

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.”


(delaware.newszap.com)

Antrel Rolle has been playing football against Frank Gore since they were youngsters near Miami. When they were in high school — Rolle at South Dade, Gore a bit north in Coral Gables — Rolle always heard that Gore, blessed with elusiveness, exceptional balance and uncanny field vision, might be the best running back ever to come out of those neighborhoods, which doubled as a recruiter’s dream.

Clinton Portis saw it for himself, when, while already a University of Miami running back, he went to Gables High School games to watch the youngster he now considers a protégé playing, he said, with no socks under his cleats, no gloves on his hands, shredding heavily favored opponents by running draws and dives out of four-wide receiver sets. Portis returned to the Hurricanes practices to tell his coaches, “This Frank Gore is special.”

Rolle, now a Giants safety, said this week: “You really don’t get a full grasp of what kind of runner he is until you go against him. I will say it to the day I die, going against him, I still feel he was the best running back to come through the University of Miami before his knee injuries.”

That is the legend of Frank Gore, one of the most talented players on, perhaps, Miami’s most talented team, who was never as good as he might have been in college. He had to overcome two significant injuries, tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee just after he beat out Willis McGahee in spring practice before Gore’s sophomore season, then the one in his right knee the next season. Those injuries are why the San Francisco 49ers chose clips from Gore’s freshman season when they showed his college highlights before their playoff victory over Green Bay last weekend. That was when, with his knees still unscarred and while splitting time with McGahee and Portis as a true freshman, he averaged 9.1 yards per carry.

“At times, I look back and I say if I wouldn’t have been hurt, I would probably have been a top 5 or 10 player coming out,” Gore said in a telephone interview this week. “It didn’t go my way. I look at it as God wanted me to go a different route. Before I got injured, football was very easy, I didn’t have to work out. I guess he wanted me to work hard and appreciate the game that He blessed me with the talent to do. That’s one thing I focus on.”

Gore is now one of the N.F.L.’s best running backs, compiling his sixth 1,000-yard season in eight years. He is already San Francisco’s leading career rusher.

This season, as the 49ers have transitioned from Alex Smith to Colin Kaepernick at quarterback and advanced to Sunday’s N.F.C. championship game at Atlanta, Gore has been the same quiet, consistent force he has always been. He is not the fastest runner, nor the one with the Adonis physique, but he still reads blocks better than most, and, to Portis’s astonishment, can shake, with his movement and the angles he takes, defenders approaching from behind that he can’t even see.

Gore arrived at Miami in 2001, a stroke of luck the then-Miami coach Larry Coker acknowledges occurred because he was recruiting Gore’s best friend, Roscoe Parrish, just 10 days before signing day. Gore grew up in one of Miami’s poorest areas. His mother, Liz, was then seriously ill with kidney disease and on dialysis. Gore struggled for years with dyslexia.

But after his first team meeting at Miami, Gore went up to his position coach and told him he wanted to play. He was told he had to learn the 12 pass protections the Hurricanes used. He took the playbook home that night and at 3:30 a.m., less than five hours before practice, he called his coach at home, asking to be quizzed on the pass protections. He had learned them all.

More than 11 years later, the film still shows the special player Rolle and Portis and the others saw.

“They were saying, ‘Dang, you were fast,’ ” said Don Soldinger, the former Hurricanes running backs coach, who Gore called after San Francisco beat Green Bay last Saturday. “He was saying ‘I was the best one.’ He put me on the phone with Randy Moss and said, ‘Tell Randy Moss how good I was.’ ”

Soldinger had to talk Gore out of quitting after the second knee injury. The doctor who performed the operations, John Uribe, explained to Gore that he would be better than ever once he recovered, because his original ligament structure had not been strong enough for his knees.

Portis was already an N.F.L. rookie when Gore injured his knee the first time and remembered that Gore was devastated. He said, in each of their conversations, Gore would ask, “Bro, what do you think?” Portis always told him he could come back. Privately, though, he wondered, just like the coaches and the N.F.L. scouts, if Gore would ever be the same.

“I remember thinking, I hope he didn’t lose what he had, because he was so agile, you couldn’t get a hand on him,” Portis said. “I remember thinking, what do you tell him?”

It was Soldinger, one of the few guiding forces in Gore’s life then, who finally prevailed upon him.

“I was very frustrated,” Gore said. “He talked to me, my mom talked to me, he said keep following my rehab. I was frustrated. I felt like it wasn’t for me. He told me just keep pushing at it. He wanted me to get a chance to reach my childhood dream to have an N.F.L. career.”

That he has had one at all is why Coker uses Gore as an example to encourage his players at Texas-San Antonio when they get hurt. When Gore talked to Soldinger after the victory over Green Bay, Soldinger told him he had to make a big push now, to try to propel his team to a championship. Portis regrets that Gore’s mother, who died in 2007, did not live to enjoy what her son has become. She had encouraged him to leave Miami early to go to the N.F.L. after he played a full season following the knee injuries. Gore was certain by then that if he was healthy he could still be productive.

On Saturday, Portis watched San Francisco’s victory over Green Bay with Edgerrin James, another former Hurricanes running back, in Los Angeles and the two have plans to be in Atlanta on Sunday, three generations of Hurricanes running backs together. James wondered how much longer Gore would play and Portis guessed four or five more years, because he knows how to avoid taking a pounding to keep his body healthy. Portis wonders if Gore will finish with more yards than any of them — James rushed for 12,246 in his career, Portis for 9,923 and Gore, at age 29, has 8,839.

Portis reminisced this week about how eager a freshman Gore was, always sitting next to him on the way to games, always talking about football, always saying, “I can’t wait until my time comes.” On Sunday, Portis talked to Gore on the phone again.

“He was still excited,” Portis said. “ ‘Man, you saw that game? What do you think?’ I said, ‘Bro, you got it.’ ”


(nytimes.com)

The past forty-eight hours have been rough for those wishing the 'Skins had made it to the next round of the play-offs so maybe this look into the life of former player Clinton Portis will cheer up the sad souls still mourning the loss against the Seahawks. He's the star of the Scoring The Deal premiere tonight on HGTV in which luxury real estate agent Jason Abrams travels the country trying to find the most pimped out pads for his sportstar clients. Curbed spoke to Abrams by phone about how he got this job in the first place and what we can expect from tonight's episode. Read on for some stories about Portis (and, er, his stripper pole).

You go into these cities looking for the 'best in show' as you call it. What does that mean? Number one, it has to fit. For example, when you think about it the average closet has 36 inches of what they call 'long hang' which you might use for gowns or something. You know how frustrating it is to hang up all your clothes and everything hits the shelf below it. That's what happens to these guys. Everything has a crease. These are the things that nobody thinks about. Then think about trying to use a standard kitchen table and chairs and then realizing you're lucky if you get one butt cheek on it. It's gets really old really quick. A lot of the times they just want to find a house that fits their stature.

Besides that it has to happen fast. We're finding homes for these guys in real time. They need to move that day. Can you imagine if you got a phone call tomorrow that said you had twenty-four hours to report to a new city? It's kiss the kids, I'll see you in nine months.

So many professional athletes homes have such over-the-top, sometimes completely wacky, amenities. How do you find those? Forget about finding a house that fits their personality. These guys have been dominant in their profession their entire lives. The reality is to be a blue chip athlete in one of the major leagues means that you were the best in LIttle League, the best in high school, the best in college, and now you're a professional. Which means you probably don't settle for a whole lot of things. So when they walk into a home that is beige, maybe that doesn't have enough flair for them. So these guys end up doing a lot of redecorating. We're talking bright colors. Amazing pieces of art. We're talking wanting to have something that no one else has. In some cases that ends up being exotic dancing poles. In Clinton' Portis' case it became black leather wall paper.

Great that you mention former Redskin Clinton Portis and even better that he's the star of the series premiere. What are we going to see in his episode? You're going to see a pool that is perched on the roof of a high rise building with some of the most amazing views of intercoastal Miami. You're really no one until you have you're own roof top pool (laughs). This isn't in the episode, but Clinton and I spent a little bit over Christmas together at the White House packaging supplies for the troops. Everyone is walking through and looking at the trees and then they realize ohmygod, it's Clinton Portis. And the line that formed within minutes was huge. That guy is so beloved in DC. All of a sudden it became secondary that they were all in the White House.

Since he's such a popular DC personality can you tell us anything else we might not know about him? Clinton has been a client of ours for almost a decade. I consider him a dear, dear friend. Having sold for him all over the country I can tell you that everyone of his houses is amazingly unique. And he does all of the decorating himself. He picks the color palate, he looks for the furniture himself. His McLean house doesn't look anything like his penthouse in Miami which doesn't look anything like his sprawling estate in Gainesville.

Your business can't have started with Clinton Portis. How did you get into this? I can trace it all back to one moment. I had a first [athlete] client in Detroit, Michigan who I helped buy a house. Then on a whim I decided to fly out to meet his financial advisor and his agent, unannounced, just to say thank you. I figured, this is cool, I'm going to go on my first ever business trip now. I was in my early twenties. His financial advisor was great. He said thank you, I shook his hand. Then I flew to LA to meet his agent and I never made it past the receptionist. But I left a little note. Two weeks later the phone rang and it was the agent and he said no one had ever come all that way just to say thank you before and could I handle another client. Who also happens to be in Michigan. So I sold that person a house and then the next week the financial advisor called and said, we have somebody but he's in a different state do you do anything anywhere else? I said yes, of course! And then I hung and realized what I had just said and then created a business really quickly. I'm in the unique position of being able to trace my entire success back to one day of thank yous.


(dc.curbed.com)