Clinton Portis is a former American football running back who has an estimated net worth of around $5 million as of 2024.
Clinton Portis played in the National Football League (NFL) for 9 seasons between 2002-2010. Portis gained fame and success during his time with the Denver Broncos and the Washington Redskins, making multiple Pro Bowl appearances. Since retiring from the NFL, Portis has undertaken various business ventures and TV/radio appearances.
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Clinton Portis Net Worth
Clinton Portis earned over $43 million in salary from his contracts with the Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins. During his prime years, he was one of the highest-paid running backs in football.
After retiring from the NFL in 2012, Clinton Portis has an estimated net worth of around $5 million. However, his net worth has dropped substantially over the past decade due to a series of failed investments and business ventures.
In 2019, Portis filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, listing his assets at $4.5 million and liabilities at $5 million. The filing revealed that he owed over $5 million to creditors, including banks, the IRS, and former NFL players.
However, he earned tens of millions during his NFL career, and a series of financial and legal troubles have depleted a significant portion of his fortune over the years.
Portis lost millions from failed restaurant investments, unfinished construction projects, and lavish spending habits. His involvement in a healthcare fraud scheme also led to huge legal fees and paybacks.
Early Life and Education
Clinton Portis was born in Laurel, Mississippi, on September 1, 1981. He had a rough upbringing, living in poverty and losing his father at the age of 4. As a youth, Portis used football as an escape from his difficult home life.
He attended Gainesville High School in Florida, where he emerged as a star running back. Portis set multiple school records, including rushing yards (3,923), rushing touchdowns (53), and scoring (330 points). His success at the high school level garnered him recognition as one of the top recruits in the nation.
Portis received a full scholarship to the University of Miami. He continued his success, gaining acclaim in his sophomore year in the 2001 season. Portis rushed for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns as the Hurricanes won the national championship. After the 2001 season, Portis chose to forgo his remaining college eligibility and declared for the NFL draft.
NFL Career Beginnings with the Broncos
Portis was selected by the Denver Broncos in the 2nd round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He made an immediate impact, rushing for over 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. From 2002 to 2003, Portis put up back-to-back seasons with 1,500+ rushing yards for the Broncos.
In 2004, the Broncos traded Portis to the Washington Redskins for cornerback Champ Bailey and a draft pick. That marked a major turning point in Portis’ career.
Prime Years with the Redskins
The trade to the Redskins saw Portis sign an 8-year, $50 million contract, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history at the time. He thrived in Washington, recording 1,300+ rushing yards in his first 6 seasons with the team.
Some of Portis’ career highlights with the Redskins include:
- 1,516 rushing yards in 2005, leading the NFL
- 2005 Pro Bowl selection
- Records for most rushing touchdowns (45) and rushing yards (6,824) in Redskins franchise history
- 2008 Pro Bowl selection
Portis was a central figure of the Redskins offense during his tenure there between 2004-2010. His success helped Washington reach the playoffs twice in 2005 and 2007. Recurring injuries later hampered his production in his final few seasons before retiring after the 2010 season.
NFL Salary and Earnings
Over his 9-year NFL career, Clinton Portis earned over $43.1 million in salary from contracts with the Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins. Here’s a breakdown of his NFL earnings year-by-year:
- 2002 (Broncos) – $1.29 million
- 2003 (Broncos) – $1.85 million
- 2004 (Broncos) – $545,000
- 2004 (Redskins) – $8.04 million signing bonus
- 2005 (Redskins) – $1.5 million salary
- 2006 (Redskins) – $4.5 million salary
- 2007 (Redskins) – $5.25 million salary
- 2008 (Redskins) – $9.8 million salary
- 2009 (Redskins) – $9.8 million salary
- 2010 (Redskins) – $890,000 salary
The peak of Portis’ career earnings came during his time with the Redskins, where he signed an 8-year, $50.5 million contract in 2004 after being traded by the Broncos. His top annual salaries were $9.8 million in both 2008 and 2009.
During his NFL career spanning 2002-2010, Clinton Portis earned an estimated $43,120,000 in salary. His career earnings were among the highest all-time for an NFL running back.
Post-NFL Business Ventures
Clinton Portis finished his nine-year NFL career with 9,923 rushing yards, 75 touchdowns, and over $43 million in career earnings. He has made regular appearances on sports radio stations and TV shows as an NFL analyst. He also participated in a WWE Tough Enough competition in 2011.
Also, Portis opened up a “Portis’ Place” restaurant in Maryland in 2011, featuring his mom’s southern recipes. However, the restaurant shut down within a couple of years due to Portis’ inexperience in the industry.
In 2013, Portis announced plans to open a large fitness complex in Lorton, Virginia called The Redskins Complex. However, the project faced delays and difficulties in securing funding.
In 2019, Portis filed for bankruptcy and faced charges related to his role in a healthcare fraud scheme related to misusing league health reimbursement funds.
Personal Life
Throughout his football career, Portis was known for his colorful personality and the costumes that he would wear during media sessions and interviews. He was seen as one of the biggest personalities in the NFL during his tenure.
Portis has a passion for exotic animals and kept unusual pets like sharks and wildcats at his various homes. He faced some legal issues related to the possession of endangered species.
He has a son named Chaz, who is committed to playing college football at Florida Atlantic University in 2019.
In recent years, Portis has opened up about his struggles with head injuries sustained during his NFL career and dealing with memory loss issues. He frequently advocates for benefits and resources for retired players managing health complications.
Philanthropy
Clinton Portis has been involved in charity work and giving back to the community. Portis established his nonprofit foundation in 2003, which is dedicated to mentoring and providing assistance to youth in need. The foundation held events and programs for low-income children and teens focused on health, education, and athletics.
During his NFL career, Portis actively participated in numerous events and initiatives sponsored by the charitable arm of the Redskins franchise. That included making visits to children’s hospitals, speaking at schools, and conducting holiday gift giveaways for underprivileged families.
He served as an ambassador for the NFL’s Play 60 campaign, which promotes youth health and fitness. Portis made appearances at Play 60 events and supported initiatives to provide athletic equipment and field refurbishments in disadvantaged communities.
FAQs on Clinton Portis Net Worth
What was Clinton Portis’ highest NFL salary?
Portis’ biggest annual salaries came in 2008 and 2009 when he made $9.8 million each year from the Washington Redskins. That was the peak of his career earnings.
What was Clinton Portis’ total career NFL earnings?
Over 9 seasons in the NFL, Portis earned a total of over $43 million in salary from the Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins.
How much is Clinton Portis worth today?
Clinton Portis’ net worth today is estimated to be around $5 million. Though he earned over $43 million during his NFL career, a series of bad investments and financial issues after retirement have depleted a significant portion of his fortune.
What happened to all of Clinton Portis’ NFL money?
Portis lost millions from unsuccessful restaurant investments, unfinished construction projects, frivolous spending habits, and legal troubles.
Bottom Line
Clinton Portis gained fame and fortune during his prime years in the NFL with the Broncos and Redskins. Though his post-NFL business ventures have been up and down, he remains a recognizable face and outgoing personality within the football community.
However, Portis likely earned millions more from performance bonuses, signing bonuses, endorsements, and other income during his NFL playing days. However, his lavish spending habits eroded his earnings over time.
