Clinton Portis, a former American professional football running back, has an estimated net worth of negative $5 million. Despite earning tens of millions during his career in the National Football League (NFL), Portis later faced major financial and legal challenges that wiped out much of his fortune.
Portis is best known for his years with the Washington Redskins, where he served as the team’s starting running back for seven seasons. Over the course of his NFL career, he earned about $43 million in salary.
| Clinton Portis Net Worth | $5 Million |
| Date of Birth | September 1, 1981 |
| Place of Birth | Laurel, Mississippi, U.S. |
Early Life
Clinton Portis was born in Mississippi and later played college football at the University of Miami.
During his freshman year, Portis became only the second freshman in school history to start at running back. He also set a freshman record with five 100-yard rushing games.
His sophomore season proved more difficult, as he lost his starting role to teammate James Jackson. However, Portis bounced back in 2001, helping lead Miami to a national championship.
NFL Career
Portis entered the NFL after being selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft.
At just 22 years old, he made headlines by becoming the youngest player to score five touchdowns in a single game.
Trade to Washington
Before the 2004 season, the Broncos traded Portis to the Washington Redskins, who signed him to an eight-year contract worth $50.5 million.
Portis went on to become one of the team’s most productive running backs. In 2006, he set a Redskins franchise record with 1,516 rushing yards in a season. At the time, he also became the third player in NFL history to rush for more than 1,500 yards in three different seasons.
During the 2008 season, Portis achieved another milestone. Along with legendary running back O. J. Simpson, he became one of the only players in NFL history to rush for at least 120 yards in five consecutive games.
However, several injuries eventually slowed his career, and he left the Redskins in 2011.
Career Earnings
Over his NFL career, Clinton Portis earned approximately $43.1 million in salary.
Despite these earnings, much of his wealth disappeared after retirement due to poor investments, financial mismanagement, and personal spending.
Financial Problems and Bankruptcy
After leaving the NFL, Portis revealed that several bad financial decisions significantly affected his finances.
He reportedly:
- Lost $8 million in a failed casino business venture
- Invested $2 million in a wealth management company that later turned out to be a Ponzi scheme
- Fell behind on taxes owed to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Accumulated debts including car loans and unpaid child support
By December 2015, Portis filed for bankruptcy, listing around $5 million in personal debts.
Federal Charges
In December 2019, the United States Department of Justice charged Portis and several former NFL players with fraud related to the league’s healthcare program.
According to prosecutors, the players allegedly submitted false claims to receive reimbursements for expensive medical equipment such as hyperbaric oxygen chambers and ultrasound machines.
Legal Issues
Portis also faced additional legal challenges in later years. In August 2021, a court in Florida ordered his arrest after he allegedly failed to pay monthly child support payments of $1,937.
Reports indicated he owed about $147,000 in child support, including interest.
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