Clinton Portis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Clinton Portis

Portis in 2019
No. 26
Position:	Running back
Personal information
Born:	(1981-09-01) September 1, 1981 (age 43) Laurel, Mississippi, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	218 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school:	Gainesville (Gainesville, Florida)
College:	Miami (FL) (1999–2001)
NFL Draft:	2002 / Round: 2 / Pick: 51
Career history
Denver Broncos (2002–2003) Washington Redskins (2004–2010)
Career highlights and awards
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2002) Second-team All-Pro (2008) 2× Pro Bowl (2003, 2008) PFWA All-Rookie Team (2002) Washington Commanders 90 Greatest BCS national champion (2001) Third-team All-American (2001) First-team All-Big East (2001)
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts: 2,230 Rushing yards: 9,923 Rushing touchdowns: 75 Receptions: 247 Receiving yards: 2,018 Receiving touchdowns: 5
Player stats at PFR

Clinton Earl Portis (born September 1, 1981) is an American college football coach and former professional football player. He played as a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. Portis played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. The Denver Broncos selected him in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft. He is well-known for being the starting running back for the Washington Redskins for seven seasons. During his time there, he averaged 81.2 rushing yards per game. He was also named one of the "80 Greatest Redskins" by a special panel.

College Football Journey

Clinton Portis attended the University of Miami and played for the Hurricanes football team. He was only the second true freshman to start as a running back for the team since 1975. As a freshman, Portis set a school record with five games where he ran for over 100 yards. He led the team with 838 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 10 games.

His second year was not as strong, as he rushed for 485 yards. However, Portis had a great comeback season in 2001. The Hurricanes won the National Championship that year. Portis rushed for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. In the Rose Bowl against Nebraska, he ran for 104 yards and scored a touchdown. Clinton Portis was honored by being inducted into the UM Sports Hall of Fame on April 10, 2013.

Track and Field Skills

Clinton Portis was also a talented track athlete in high school. He competed for the Gainesville High School track team. He ran the 100 meters in 10.6 seconds. He was part of the state record-setting 4 × 100 meter relay team, which finished in 40.8 seconds. He also achieved personal bests of 2.01 meters in the high jump and 6.91 meters in the long jump.

He continued his track and field career at the University of Miami. There, he won the state championship in the 4 × 400-meter relay. His personal bests in college were 6.93 seconds in the 60 meters and 21.82 seconds in the 200 meters.

Personal bests

College Statistics Overview

Professional Football Career

Playing for the Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos drafted Clinton Portis as the 51st overall pick in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft. In his first two seasons with the Broncos, Portis rushed for over 1,500 yards each year. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry during this time, which is an NFL record for a running back's first two seasons.

On December 15, 2002, Portis became the youngest player to score 4 touchdowns in a game. He was 21 years and 105 days old. The next season, on December 7, 2003, he became the youngest player to score 5 touchdowns in a game. He was 22 years and 97 days old. Both of these amazing games were against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Portis set many Broncos franchise records during his time there. These included records for rushing yards in a rookie season and rushing touchdowns in a game.

Big Trade to Washington

Before the 2004 season, the Broncos traded Portis to the Washington Redskins. In return, the Broncos received cornerback Champ Bailey and a second-round draft pick. Washington then signed Portis to a large eight-year contract. Some people thought this trade was a lot to give up for a running back.

Playing for the Washington Redskins

2004 Season Adjustments

In the 2004 season, Portis had to get used to coach Joe Gibbs's running style. This style focused more on power running. Portis started strong, with a 64-yard touchdown run in his first game for Washington. However, adjusting to the new style was tough, especially with injuries affecting the offensive line. He finished the 2004 season with 1,315 rushing yards.

2005 Season Comeback

Portis had a much better season in 2005. Coach Gibbs added more outside running plays to fit Portis's style. Portis showed he could run both inside and outside well. He also became a better pass-blocker. He finished the season with 12 total touchdowns. On January 1, 2006, he broke the Redskins' record for most rushing yards in a season with 1,516 yards. He also became only the third player in league history to reach 1,500 yards in three of his first four seasons.

2006 Season and Injuries

During the 2006 preseason, Portis showed his speed by running a 40-yard dash in 4.26 seconds. However, he suffered a shoulder injury in a preseason game. Later in the season, Portis broke his right hand during a game in November. This injury caused him to be placed on the Injured Reserve list, ending his season early.

2007 Season Success

Portis with the Washington Redskins, 2007

Washington guaranteed a large part of Portis's future salaries in March 2007. This showed their commitment to him. He finished the 2007 season with 1,262 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. He also added 389 receiving yards.

2008 Pro Bowl Season

In 2008, Portis nearly reached his fourth 1,500-yard rushing season, finishing with 1,487 yards. A highlight was a five-week period where he gained almost 700 yards. During this time, Clinton Portis joined O.J. Simpson as the only players in NFL history to rush for at least 120 yards in five consecutive games twice in a career. He was selected to the Pro Bowl that year.

2009 Season and Concussion

During a game in Week 9 of the 2009 season, Portis suffered a concussion. This injury caused him to lose consciousness and leave the game. He missed four games due to concussion symptoms. On December 8, he was officially placed on injured reserve. It took four months for him to get permission to play again.

2010 Season and Release

The 2010 season brought a reunion for Portis with his former coach, Mike Shanahan, from his time with the Denver Broncos. Despite this positive change, injuries continued to bother Portis. He dealt with abdomen and groin injuries. In his seventh year as a Redskin, Portis played only five games. He gained 227 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns that season.

On February 28, 2011, the Washington Redskins released Portis. This happened after contract talks failed and due to his repeated injuries.

Retirement from Football

On August 21, 2012, Clinton Portis announced his retirement from professional football. He officially retired on August 23. At the time of his retirement, he was 26th all-time in career rushing yards. During his retirement press conference, it was announced that he was included in the list of the "80 Greatest Redskins of All-Time."

NFL Career Statistics Summary

Regular Season Performance

Personal Life and Family

Clinton Portis is the cousin of former football player Josh Portis. He is a father to seven sons and three daughters.