Last week, former Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington unloaded on Hall of Fame head coach, NASCAR sugar daddy, and all-round swell guy Joe Gibbs. Arrington called Gibbs a "coward" and suggested the only reason he returned to coaching in 2004 was to pimp his racing team.
Predictably, just about everybody sided with Gibbs, and now that list includes current Redskins running back and former Arrington teammate Clinton Portis.
Portis appeared on Michael Irvin's radio show and offered this (via the Sports Bog):
"I think Coach Gibbs one of the best men you could ever be in life," Portis said. "I think he's one of the best men as far as guidance, or the way he live his life, an example of a true champion. And you know, the other guy [added], I can't speak for why he would come out and say that. I don't know what's on his mind, I don't know what it is. But I think, and the guys around this team think Coach Gibbs was a great guy. I think he changed a lot of our lives as far as getting the onus [on] being a man and taking the lead and putting it on you. Making you tougher, making you understand right from wrong, trying to get guys to live for God and give their life to Christ, and I think that's the guidance you need.After some water and a Clif bar, Portis continued:
"You know, a lot of people would say he didn't succeed in his return to D.C.," Portis continued, "but I think he put together this team that we have right now that's winning. So I think he did his part. You know, it just wasn't our time for us to win, but I think he left a great foundation for Coach Zorn and we're on the right path."
"I'm just saying LaVar, I don't know why he would come out and say that," he said. "If he's got mixed emotions about Coach Gibbs, that's him. I don't know. To me, to the guys that I know around here, I think Coach Gibbs meant a lot. Whatever happened between LaVar and Coach Gibbs, I don't know about."Fair enough. I will say, though, that Arrington had a very public falling out with Dan Snyder, the Redskins diminutive owner, whom he felt tried to screw him out a couple million dollars on his contract. And more than a year ago, Arrington admitted that he "hated the way ... Gibbs handled [his last few years in Washington]."
So while I get that Arrington is frustrated with how things played out in D.C., here's the thing: disgruntled former employees always come off looking bitter and vindictive. Yeah, we get it, Snyder sucks. Nobody disagrees. And maybe Gibbs did treat you like crap, but let somebody else tell that story. Otherwise people start calling you MeAngelo.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-13-2008 @ 2:13PM
Preppy said...
You gotta love Portis, great response from him regarding LaVar. No bashing of LaVar, just all praise of Coach Gibbs, Coach Zorn, and the current status of the 'Skins. Nothing about the past (because it's all water under the bridge). Took the high road yet managed to make LaVar look like an idiot indirectly.
Go Portis!
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11-13-2008 @ 2:28PM
MIKEL said...
You hit the nail right on it's head ! Portis is class act like the rest
of the SKINS! Iiked Lavar when he came to the skins but things
changed, and he got greedy and hardly played any games always
hurt and crying about something,oh were is he playing now?
no where in the NFL guess why.
11-13-2008 @ 2:13PM
Sean Carmichael said...
Way to go, Portis. By the way, where does LaVar get off criticizing a Hall of Fame coach? Just get back to flipping burgers, LaVar. Nobody wants to hear what you have to say.
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11-13-2008 @ 2:27PM
redskinsfan said...
Lavar is so full of shit it aint even funny. You were the bust man, not the great coach and man Joe gibbs. It was you that never could live up to your assumed talents. That is what your bitter about. Every redskin fan knows the truth. Iam just glad we got rid of your ass to new york, and yea you screwd them to. Why cant you be a man like portis has shown you. And as i recall gibbs took us to the playoffs, and yes he bilt this team.
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11-15-2008 @ 7:28PM
Redskin Brian said...
I love Lavar, I believe he was just angry at the way things ended. He is not a bad guy. Clinton, is very fair and honest. Even though Portis has huge respect for coach Gibbs. He didn't let his feeling for Coach get in the way of him being objective.
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11-13-2008 @ 6:29PM
skinsTillDeath said...
Firs off, nobody knows what happened behind closed doors. I love gibbs and everything he has done for us and continues to do in the community. BUT...i am on of those who thinks he quit on us. When we get right down to it, he left time on his contract and promised he would restore tradition around here. I don't know why he left, but he left early and thats quitting. NOW, Lavar is one of the only true redskins that we have had around here lately. Portis is starting to become one when he said he was starting to love the dc area and the skins. But Lavar really did and still loves the fans and what the skins stand for. We are all entitled to our own opinion. After all, thats what we are doing here on these post. The REAL skins fans love all parties involved regardless(GIBBS, LAVAR, PORTIS, and even SNYDER) Most players just care about money, and winning for themselves. Lavar wanted it for us, and i will always love him for that and for being a true redskin. So stop hatin and ...
HAIL TO THE MUDA F'N REDSKINS!!!
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11-13-2008 @ 2:56PM
Goodfella616 said...
Yeah I remember LaVar saying after signing that fat contract that he was a Redskin for life ...hmmm...Spurrier gutted this team & Dan Snyder figured the only way to get the ship righted was to get a MAN at the helm ... Most of the players accepted & were grateful for Joe Gibbs ...His leadership is beyond reproach...Where as LaVar ... Hmmm crying & wiening his way to NY to become the loser that he has proven to be ... The greatest sin of all is "watsed talent" LaVar you are a sinner ... & why comcast even has you has you on the payroll is a mystery .... Now I went to a Surrier training camp with a friend & his son ... we watched LaVar act like a clown to paly to the crowd & as we were leaving Ken Harvey walked past us ...we stopped him shook his hand & I told my friends son ...James now thats a real linebacker ....Comcast are you listening ?? CP again right on the money !!
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11-13-2008 @ 2:56PM
Redskins Girl said...
LaVar needs to sit his ass down and shut up. He didn't get any playing time after Coach Gibbs got here because he thought he was too good to learn the plays and the defense suffered for his mistakes. They got rid of him and now he's washed up. So he thinks bashing a hall of fame coach will make him feel better about his self. WHAT A LOSER!!! GO Portis for putting it out there that Coach Gibbs was nothing but a kind, caring, god loving man.
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11-13-2008 @ 2:58PM
richbrave said...
LaVAR has stated his position and this venue considered it news-worthy enough to post CLINTON's response. PORTIS likes where he is currently. I suspect ARRINGTON doesn't. Being out of football has more to do with his knee than DALE LINDSEY's comments about his abilities as a player. LaVAR had great football instincts. GIBBS' and GREG WILLIAMS' defensive philosophies didn't utilize his abilities to best advantage. Sour grapes.? Maybe. But GIBBS is gone, and a different philosophy of coaching has taken this franchise to new heights in this football season which lends some credence to ARRINGTON's position in my book. Just sayin'.
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11-13-2008 @ 2:56PM
wheaties said...
My man Lame R:
The Penn State punk best known for chasing down runners from behind, piling on, and cheap shotting punters.
Everyone knows all you had to do was run at him and he'd disapear.
He is "LiL Joe" Pa's pride and joy along with Larry Johnson, Kijana Carter, and a slew of other big time busts.
The only thing bigger than his mouth is his
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11-13-2008 @ 3:12PM
Kenny said...
First and foremost the topic is "Gibbs quit on the redskins" ( coward).....Did you see that man's face age right before your eyes after the death of Sean Taylor and the Buffalo game...He is a tremendous individual and always, always took the burden or hit of everything that happened on and off the field for this organization when he came back. A true professional and leader!!!! A weak person like Lavar couldn't muster the gumption to deal with not starting a couple of games much less the character it took to run a disfunctional organization a to z like Gibbs did. Lavar is classless for saying anything like he did even if he thought it....Gibbs always and forever will be REDSKIN # 1 and lavar , you are trash!!!
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11-13-2008 @ 3:28PM
shiz said...
Lavar you really turned my stomach with that comment i was 1 of the happiest fans when we drafted you and was just as happy when we got rid of you...you was a complete bust just like the rest of them penn state players...HAIL 2 THE REDSKINS
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11-13-2008 @ 11:57PM
John Beverly said...
Clinon Portis has every right to take up for his former coach. Coach Gibbs did not quit. Gibbs understood that the game had past him and understood that the team had the talent, but needed a new commander. What Gibbs did was unshelvish. Lavar had no reason to say anything about Gibbs. Marvin Lewis said that Lavar was UNCOACHABLE. Not Gibbs. So, if you want (Lavar) to attack someone, go after Marvin Lewis and stop acting like a jerk. Gibbs turned this team into respectable, honest men. We are the poster team of the NFL, (Even you Cooley!!).
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11-13-2008 @ 5:06PM
Big-Kahunae said...
Lavar, I liked the intensity you had when you played for the Redskins. Instead of bashing Coach Gibbs and ther organization just be thankful you had a chance to play in the NFL. When Art Monk was cut by the Redskins in his final years, it was sad to see him play in another uniform. He didn't bash the organization or Coach Gibbs. Instead you should call Art and ask for help. Art took the high road because he knows that the business part of the NFL just like any other company will make ajustments as needed. If it means cutting you then you have to look somewhere else to make a living. Like Clinton states that the best thing he learned from Coach Gibbs is to man up and be responsible for all your actions. So Man up my Lavar, you coulda, woulda, shoulda, been a great LB if stayed healthy enough. But God has different plans for you. Coach Gibbs did not quit, he Manned up to take care of his family. If you were put on the same shoes, what would you have done? Family always comes first, I'm sure your parents has preached that to you. Go in peace Lavar and God bless you and your family.
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11-14-2008 @ 12:43PM
michael e. atkins said...
laVar was a good player but by the same token he cant blaim Joe Gibbs about what happend to his contract.Gibbs did'nt have any control over that.but he can say whatever he wants about Gibbs,but all the redskins fans no better.he's just pissed off because the skins are a better team without him and i got sick of hearing about laVar being hurt all the time and i think all the skins fans did too.alls i can say is that laVar better take a look at himself in the mirror and say,boy i had the world right by the ass and what do i have now?
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11-13-2008 @ 5:44PM
Ray said...
Lavar- Lavar. Stop it. You could have had it all, but you didn't perform consistently. When you were drafted, I thought you would be a Lawrence Taylor, boy was I wrong. Stop whinning and enjoy the sidelines /where you now belong. I don't see any teams breaking down your door to sign you. Not even the bengals and they are awful. Get a life. Ray
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11-16-2008 @ 12:37AM
john said...
arrington is nothing more than a mere has been player who never really was all that, and is even less of a man for coming out and making those statements about gibbs! arrington is no class bum!
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11-13-2008 @ 10:39PM
skinsfans3 said...
Damn, Lavar! Coach Gibbs tried to straighten you ass out and play within the defensive schemes, but you wanted to do it your way. I knew that day after practice when Coach was putting his finger into chest while you two were talking, you were on your way out. Now you want to say dumb @&*$! about Gibbs because no one in the NFL wants your behind. You are trifflin'! Props to Portis, who knows what a great coach and man Joe Gibbs is. I can't think of another NFL coach that could lead his team through the adversity of a star players tragic death, win 5 straight games afterwards, and make the playoffs. Oh - I forgot - he also coached 2 teams to Super Bowl victories during seasons marred by players' strikes.
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11-19-2008 @ 9:59PM
Andy Sargent said...
Lavar had all the talent but not the character to be a Redskin. The legacy of Joe Gibbs is that he built his teams and won with character players, not big name super stars. Look at what is happening in Dallas; big names, big talent (13 Pro Bowlers), big money and no character. T.O would never have played on a Joe Gibbs team. Zorn with his coaching and innovative play calling have been a big factor, but he is doing it with Joe Gibbs character players.
Portis displayed that by standing up for his coach without bashing LaVar.
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