During the scouting combine before the 2002 NFL draft, Clinton Portis told teams to do one thing. Trade up for the No. 3 pick, select him and watch him become rookie of the year.

“Everyone looked at me like I was crazy,” Portis said.

But Portis did go on to win rookie of the year, yet there was no doubt people always looked at him like he was a little crazy, too. The longtime running back announced his retirement Thursday at Redskins Park. He spoke for 25 minutes off the cuff, choking up at least five times and even stepping away from the microphone twice.

Portis retired as the Redskins’ second all-time leading rusher with 6,824 yards -- 648 yards behind John Riggins. Portis also ends his career 77 yards shy of 10,000 rushing yards.

 “The numbers don’t matter,” he said. “It’s the effect and the opportunity and the memory I left behind.”

When someone asked him about someday entering the Hall of Fame, Portis said, “It would be great… If it was for my biggest attribute, which is heart, I would definitely be there.”

Portis was known for his colorful costume characters in the 2005 season, from Dolla Bill to Sheriff Gonna Getcha and Coach Janky Spanky among others. But he also played with passion and was one of the NFL’s best running backs in pass protection.

Portis said he used to have arguments with Redskins defensive teammates, including late safety Sean Taylor and current Steeler safety Ryan Clark, about who was the hardest hitter.
The Redskins acquired Portis in 2004 when Joe Gibbs returned as coach. They shipped corner Champ Bailey, who did not want to return to Washington, and a second-round pick to Denver in exchange for Portis.

“The best thing that ever happened to me was connecting with one of my favorite people of all-time and that’s coach Gibbs,” Portis said. “When Gibbs called to tell him about being traded to the Redskins, “ I lit up like a kid in a candy store.”

Portis tried out for several teams after parting ways with Washington following the 2010 season. But Portis said he knew he was done with football once he left here.

“I knew it wasn’t in my heart,” Portis said. “I couldn’t go to another organization and play with the heart that I played with in this organization….I love this city.”

John Keim covers the Redskins for the Washington Examiner. Follow him on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLWAS or @John_Keim.