Fansided

Former NFL RB Clinton Portis files for bankruptcy

By Charles Rahrig V

Nov 22, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Washington Redskins helmet rest on the field prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Washington Redskins helmet rest on the field prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former NFL running back Clinton Portis has filed for bankruptcy.

One of the saddest stories in pro sports is whenever a former athlete mishandles their money and goes broke. It appears that former Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis is the latest athlete that has gone broke, according to Deadspin.

Portis has filed for bankruptcy, and according to his filing, Portis owes creditors almost $5 million.

"The filing lists the creditors holding the 20 largest unsecured claims against Porits. Some of the more notable debts:$500,000 to Entertainment Tonight correspondent and CNN contributor Nischelle Turner$390,000 in back taxes$170,000 to the Borgata casino in Atlantic City$287,178.56 to the MGM GrandA combined $1,223,020 in mortgage deficiencies$500,000 to his mother$412,000 in unpaid domestic support to four different women$65,553 on a repossessed BMW$899.09 in unpaid telephone bills"

Clearly Portis mismanaged his money somewhere along the line. There’s some interesting things that stand out on the list of creditors that Portis owes money to, including his own mother. The list is just a sad reminder that athletes can lose their big pay days just as quickly as they earn them.

Playing in a professional sport and getting paid for it is a privilege and luxury. Unfortunately for many athletes like Portis, they don’t realize it until it’s too late. The NFL is a bit different than the other professional leagues when it comes to contracts. The money isn’t guaranteed and the shelf life for a running back in  NFL may be the shortest of any professional athlete.

Portis will always be remembered for his time on one of the most dynamic college football teams in history, when Portis made a name for himself along with Frank Gore at running back for the Miami Hurricanes. His professional career didn’t last as long as many would have expected, but he made enough that he should have been able to live comfortably with his life. Unfortunately for Portis, that didn’t happen and now he owes a lot of money that he doesn’t have.

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