themurf Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 (photo by Brian Murphy) There will never be another player quite like Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis. On the field, he was a model teammate who will be remembered, not only as one of the most productive running backs in franchise history, but also as one of the best pass blocking backs in the history of the game. Off the field, he was a lightning rod for criticism, thanks to questionable practice habits, a fierce radio feud with a former player and a buddy-buddy relationship with the owner. But whether you loved him or hated him, you had to respect Portis for, at times, throwing the entire team on his back and willing the Redskins to victory. When Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs came back to town, he said he needed a workhorse to center his offense around. Enter Portis. For seven seasons, he was Washington’s offense. When he was on his game, the Redskins usually won. If he had an off game, so too did the burgundy and gold. Now, with his playing days over, the 31-year-old looks back fondly on his time in Washington. Even though he was already honored earlier this year when he officially retired, Portis said he was more than happy to come back to town to participate in the team’s homecoming weekend. I had the chance to chat with Portis on the sidelines before the Redskins hosted the Carolina Panthers and, as always, enjoyed listening to one of the quirkiest athletes I’ve ever been around. Here’s what we had to say: Okay, you officially hung up your cleats back in August. How’s retirement treating you? “You know, retirement is actually great,” he said. “I feel like I’m busier now than I was when I had a set schedule from playing football. I’m always on the go and there really aren’t any set guidelines, so you’ve got to get structure in life. That’s what I’m working on. It’s like, every morning you’ve got an opportunity to go somewhere. They want you in Chicago or you can be in L.A. or there’s something going on in Atlanta, so you’ve got to balance it out and still find family time, still find me time and then get business handled.” Fortunately for everyone involved, you were able to free up your schedule to be part of this weekend’s festivities. What does it mean to you to be considered one of the best to ever play for the Redskins? “It’s great just to have this opportunity,” he said. “To think, not too long ago I was playing. Now, I can look back and say I’m an alumni. You see all of these guys who created the tradition and helped make the Redskins organization as special as it is. To be out here with those guys, and for them to come up to me and tell me they appreciate my work means a lot to me. “I had a conversation with Mark Rypien Saturday night and I’m thinking, ‘Wow, I used to watch this man when I was growing up and used to play with him on Tecmo Bowl,” Portis continued. “Just to have this opportunity is great. I really feel like I’m not supposed to be here.” I’m sure you felt one way while you were still playing, but I’m wondering — does an event like this give you a different perspective on the Washington Redskins organization? “It does. I honestly didn’t even know all of these people played here for the Redskins,” he said. “Just to meet some of these guys and to have the opportunity to be a part of this weekend with them is exciting.” Obviously, you had a very productive career in Washington. What are some of your favorite memories during your time with this franchise? “There are so many memories, there’s not really one that I can pinpoint,” Portis said. “When I think about it, I think of throwing blocks down the field or the Jacksonville game.* I think of making plays as a team. Looking back, when someone brings up a play and you can remember exactly how that play went — like the 38-yard run against the Cowboys to beat them — there’s a lot of situations to think of and reflect on.” *This game — a thrilling 36-30 overtime win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in ’06 — is my favorite Redskins game no one talks about and was easily one of the most exciting games I’ve had the opportunity to cover. The highlight of the weekend for many ‘Skins fans was seeing the more than 150 former players who attended the game. What’s been your favorite part of this weekend? “To be standing there for a picture next to Art Monk and Darrell Green,” Portis said. “I’m just standing there thinking the whole time, ‘Are you kidding me?’ When you think of the Redskins organization, to me, those were the guys who were legendary. Now I’m standing in a picture and they’re putting their hands around me. That’s when I was like, ‘Well, I guess I fit in.’” Not only are you being honored as one of the 80 Greatest Redskins in franchise history, but the organization is also recognizing Sean Taylor as well. Does that make this moment even more special for you, considering how close the two of you were? “That’s probably the best part of all of this — having the opportunity to go in with Sean, who was so legendary to me and was someone that I always keep involved in my life,” Portis said. “He was someone who helped me out tremendously, so to have his father here and to see his family here is special. I was the biggest supporter of the Redskins getting Sean and bringing Sean into this organization. For them to actually listen to my word and for him to be honored today as well, it all means a lot.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rypien1191 Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 Tecmo SUPER Bowl baby! That season in TSB was the season we won it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeefJerky Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 Tecmo bowl was a classic game. I used to play the hell outta that game when I was growing up. Thanks for sharing this Murf! Hail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC9 Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Murf... my favorite one yet brother. I love reading the human side of things, and you did an outstanding job on CP here. And anytime he's ready and can free up the schedule... your boy has a cartridge ready to go. Dibbs on the Redskins, of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redskin faithful Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Great read. I miss seeing Portis suit up on Sundays. He's definitely one of my top 5 favorite Redskins. I'm glad to see him get recognized this past Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlvinWaltonIsMyBoy Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 I miss seeing Portis straight jack people. How many backs can you say that you enjoyed watching them block? In my opinion, there was just one. CP. Welcome to the alumni family, Clinton. You are deserving and we are glad to have you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spade Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Sure do miss the 3 Kings days, that 2005 season was magic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s0crates Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Its no secret around here that I am a big CP fan, so I appreciated this a lot. This is the first thing I've read about the 'skins this week that made me happy. The fan in me needed this. Really nice work by themurf too. I can almost hear Portis talking as I read that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s0crates Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 double post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsmarydu Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Great as usual, murf. I can still remember how silly happy I was when we got Portis. Reading how much he admired Sean made me misty. HTTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themurf Posted November 6, 2012 Author Share Posted November 6, 2012 Its no secret around here that I am a big CP fan, so I appreciated this a lot. This is the first thing I've read about the 'skins this week that made me happy. The fan in me needed this.Really nice work by themurf too. I can almost hear Portis talking as I read that. Murf... my favorite one yet brother. I love reading the human side of things, and you did an outstanding job on CP here.And anytime he's ready and can free up the schedule... your boy has a cartridge ready to go. Dibbs on the Redskins, of course. Comments like these mean a lot to me because my intent with these types of articles is to help 'Skins fans get to know the players who represent their favorite team a little better. Rather than just cheering for laundry, like the old Seinfeld bit, I want people to know what these guys are like. Obviously, a guy like Portis is well known around here, but it's still nice to hear him sound so normal when he's talking about retirement or being a fan of players like Art Monk and Darrell Green. Thanks for the support guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnFoRcEr_uPu Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 I'm going to start this post by saying Portis is one of my favorite players of all time. That being said, am I the only one wondering if this was quoted word for word or if they changed it up a bit to make him sound more proper and grammatically correct? Let's be honest, he was a beast of a player and fun to follow off the field, but his speech during this interviews wasn't exactly the type that gets you an A+ in English class, lol. ---------- Post added November-6th-2012 at 08:21 AM ---------- Comments like these mean a lot to me because my intent with these types of articles is to help 'Skins fans get to know the players who represent their favorite team a little better. Rather than just cheering for laundry, like the old Seinfeld bit, I want people to know what these guys are like. Obviously, a guy like Portis is well known around here, but it's still nice to hear him sound so normal when he's talking about retirement or being a fan of players like Art Monk and Darrell Green. Thanks for the support guys. No doubt. You don't often get this kind of insight without going through a major network with an agenda on their hands. Very well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martytheman Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 my favorite cp moment: Shows what the guy was made of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themurf Posted November 6, 2012 Author Share Posted November 6, 2012 Great as usual, murf. I can still remember how silly happy I was when we got Portis. Reading how much he admired Sean made me misty.HTTR Yeah, it was pretty clear that Portis still gets emotion talking about Taylor. That's why I was so thrilled when I captured this photo during halftime: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cphil006 Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Tecmo bowl was a classic game. I used to play the hell outta that game when I was growing up. Thanks for sharing this Murf! Hail. HA! Yea, me, too! On the original, I tried to beat it with as many different teams as possible. Can't remember them all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeSellers45 Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Great read murf. I wasn't always the biggest fan of Portis, but he was a hell of a player when healthy. I haven't been following the team too long(since about 00 or 01) but the 05,06,07 teams were some of my favorites to watch, and those were definitely the best times I've had at FedEx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chachie Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 my favorite cp moment:youtube Shows what the guy was made of. I had forgotten how hard he ran past Davis just to earn the chance to make that block. That was amaaaaazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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