Clinton Portis, great human being, contemplated murder after NFL Career

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

I'm guessing that you come from a background different from Portis. It's easy for YOU to say this when you grew up on a different side of the railroads tracks then a lot of these guys. You can't put yourself in someone's shoes until you're actually in them.

I'm guessing you don't think Joe Gibbs is an idiot but he put himself and his family in a terrible situation as well.

But there's a major difference between Gibbs and Portis, and you know it. Portis exposed his money to major downside risk after he was done playing. Meaning the golden goose was dead, he couldn't go back to the NFL to earn another big pay day, his prime was gone. He had a nest egg built up, and no significant skills to fall back on. Yet still exposed his money to great risk.

Gibbs was not in that position - as a coach he always knew he could get another head coaching job when he wanted. And proved it, by the way.

But I hear your point - the background matters. His lack of foresight here points to a) few strong role models in his life who showed him how to think critically and b) a straight up lack of intelligence that hampered his ability to do so independently. But at the same time, Portis went to college. He got tutored so he could stay eligible. He's been exposed to some smart people and no doubt has gotten strong guidance along the way, including advice made available through the NFL and NFLPA. Given those resources available to him I have a hard time understanding how he let this happen to him.