Recharged Portis no longer running mouth for others

Jul/31/07 09:15 AM Filed in: Clinton Portis
Clinton Portis says he's a changed man. Clinton Portis says he now lives in the present. Clinton Portis says he's going to worry only about himself, discuss only himself.

"I'm going to keep Clinton Portis out of trouble," the Washington Redskins running back vowed. "I'm going to keep Clinton Portis focused. I'm going to keep Clinton Portis on top of his game.... I don't know how anybody feels. I don't know what anybody's thinking. I don't know what anyone's going through. The only thing I know is what's going on in Clinton Portis' life."

Told about his star running back's remarks, Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said he couldn't remember Clinton Portis ever talking himself into trouble. Gibbs wasn't at this summer's Beach Blitz in Virginia Beach, when Portis' remarks to a television station supporting Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick's right to engage in dogfighting sparked a national backlash that lasted a couple of weeks.

Redskins officials say Portis was bewildered by the firestorm his comments drew from one vocal segment of the public. The remarks were made at the end of a long, playful exchange with teammate Chris Samuels. He'd done nothing but express an opinion, one born out of his rural southern roots. There, he later explained, dogfighting was common.
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