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 a former American football player. He was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. The Denver Broncos picked him in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft. Portis is best known for being the main running back for the Washington Redskins for seven seasons. During his time there, he averaged 81.2 rushing yards per game.

College Career

Portis went to the University of Miami and played for the Hurricanes. He was only the second new student (called a "true freshman") to start as a running back since 1975. Portis set a school record for freshmen with five games where he ran for over 100 yards. He led the team with 838 yards and eight touchdowns in 10 games. He also caught four passes for 44 yards and two touchdowns.

His second year was not as strong, as he ran for 485 yards. But Portis had a great comeback in 2001. The Hurricanes won the National Championship that year. Portis rushed for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also gained 125 receiving yards. In the Rose Bowl against Nebraska, Portis ran for 104 yards and scored a touchdown.

Clinton was honored by being added to the UM Sports Hall of Fame on April 10, 2014.

Track and Field

Portis was also a talented track athlete at Gainesville High School. He ran the 100 meters in 10.6 seconds. He was part of the state record 4 x 100 meter relay team, which finished in 40.8 seconds. He also had personal bests of 2.01 meters in the high jump and 6.91 meters in the long jump.

He continued track and field at the University of Miami. There, he won the state championship in the 4x400-meter relay. He also set personal bests of 6.93 seconds in the 60 meters and 21.82 seconds in the 200 meters.

Personal Bests

College Statistics

Professional Career

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos chose Portis as the 51st pick in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft.

Portis ran for over 1,500 yards in each of his first two seasons with the Broncos. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry, which is an NFL record for a running back's first two seasons. On December 15, 2002, Portis became the youngest player (at 21 years old) to score 4 touchdowns in a game. The next season, on December 7, 2003, he became the youngest player (at 22 years old) to score 5 touchdowns in a game. Both of these amazing games were against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Portis set many team records for the Broncos, including most rushing yards in a rookie season (1,508 in 2002) and most rushing touchdowns in a game (5).

Trade to Washington Redskins

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 big eight-year contract.

Washington Redskins

2004 Season

In 2004, Portis had to get used to coach Joe Gibbs' way of running plays, which focused on "power running" (running straight ahead, often through defenders). He started strong, scoring a 64-yard touchdown on his first carry for Washington. He finished the 2004 season with 1,315 rushing yards. He scored eight total touchdowns that year.

2005 Season

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 well both inside and outside. He finished 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 became only the third player in NFL history to run for over 1,500 yards in three of his first four seasons.

2006 Season

Portis with the Washington Redskins, 2007

During the 2006 training camp, Portis showed his speed by running a 40-yard dash in 4.26 seconds. However, he got a shoulder injury in a preseason game. He later returned to play against the Minnesota Vikings. He also played well in other games, scoring touchdowns.

Later in the season, Portis broke his right hand during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He had surgery and was placed on the Injured Reserve list, meaning he could not play for the rest of the season.

2007 Season

Washington guaranteed Portis's salary for 2008 and 2009, and a large part of his 2010 salary. This meant he would receive up to $15 million. Portis also got a $9.32 million signing bonus. He finished the 2007 season with 1,262 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. He also had 389 receiving yards.

2008 Season

In 2008, Portis nearly reached 1,500 rushing yards again, finishing with 1,487 yards. He had a great 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 games in a row, twice in their careers. Portis led the NFL in rushing for much of the season. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl that year.

2009 Season

During a game against the Atlanta Falcons, Portis suffered a concussion. He missed four games because of the concussion symptoms. On December 8, he was officially placed on the injured reserve list. It took him four months to get permission to play again.

2010 Season

The 2010 season brought a reunion for Portis with his former coach, Mike Shanahan, from his time with the Denver Broncos. However, injuries continued to bother Portis, including abdomen and groin issues. He played only five games in his seventh year as a Redskin. He gained 227 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns. Both touchdowns were in a home game against the Houston Texans.

2011 Season

On February 28, 2011, the Washington Redskins released Portis. This happened after they could not agree on a new contract and because of his repeated injuries.

Retirement

On August 21, 2012, Portis announced he was retiring from football. He officially retired on August 23. At his press conference, it was announced that he was on the list of the 80 Greatest Redskins of All-Time.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season

Personal Life

Portis is the cousin of former football player Josh Portis. He has two daughters.