Portis spent 2004 to 2010 in Washington, but didn’t plan in 2011. He’d hoped to get picked up again this season, but when that happened he chose to retire and with the Redskins unveiling their “10 for 80” later this week, ten more greats will be added to Washington’s ‘ring of honor’ as the franchise celebrates it’s eightieth anniversary season. Portis is expected to be one of the new ten.
Portis was originally chosen by the Denver Broncos in the second round (fifty-first pick) of the 2002 NFL Draft after helping lead the Miami Hurricanes to the 2001 national championship.
Portis was named the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, PWFA Offensive Rookie of the Year, a two-time Pro Bowl selection (2003, 2008) and an All-Pro selection (2008). He totaled 9,923 yards in his career and 75 touchdowns.
Portis wound up in Coral Gables by way of Gainesville – a story oft talked about by Miami faithful as then-Florida head coach Steve Spurrier didn’t want Portis as a running back, pushing him to play corner. He was also recruited by Butch Davis at Miami and wound up shunning the hometown Gators for the rival Hurricanes.
As a freshman in 1999, Portis became the second true freshman to start at ‘The U’ since 1975 and was named Freshman All-American by The Sporting News. He finished the season with 838 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Some backsliding occurred as a sophomore, with senior James Jackson getting more playing time, cutting down on Portis’ carries (from 143 to 77), finishing with 485 total yards in two scores.
Portis’ junior campaign proved explosive, though, helping lead Miami to its fifth ring and wrapping the season with 1,200 yards on 220 carries and ten touchdowns. His final touchdown for ‘The U’ came in the 2002 Rose Bowl in the second quarter when he broke off a 39-yard run that put Miami up, 14-0 over Nebraska, en route to a 37-14 victory.
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Football also requires a high level of physical ability. Players need speed to outrun and out maneuver their opponents. They need strength to be able to tackle the big players on the opposing team. They need endurance to be able to play through the football game. And they need physical toughness to survive being hit and tackled throughout the game.