Clinton Portis and Child Support

Ex-football star Clinton Portis is in hot water for non-payment of child support. Portis was a second-round pick by the Denver Broncos back in 2002, then was traded to Washington.  He is also a two-time Pro Bowler whose NFL earnings exceeded $43 million during his career until he retired in 2012.  Despite this, Portis filed for bankruptcy in 2015, claiming mismanagement of funds by his financial advisors.

Court records show Portis was ordered to pay $1,937.00 per month to the mother of his child born in March 2015.  Portis failed to make a single payment.  On July 20, 2021, the Court issued an Order to Appear and Show Cause ordering Portis to explain why he should not be held in contempt of court for failure to pay child support.  Portis failed to appear in court on August 6, 2021 and was found in civil contempt by the judge.  At that time, Portis owed retroactive child support in the amount of $147,962.49 plus interest.  The judge issued a civil arrest order on August 14, 2021.

Per the court, Portis has the means and ability to pay the ordered child support amount because he has guaranteed income and substantial retirement assets.  Purge conditions were attached to the contempt order stipulating that upon payment of the $147,962.49, Portis would be immediately released.  Portis has also had a rocky start to the New Year.  Currently a Fort Mill, South Carolina resident, Portis was sentenced to six months in prison followed by six months of home confinement on January 6, 2022, by a federal judge in Kentucky.  The sentence stems from charges to defraud the NFL’s health care program for seeking reimbursements in medical equipment that was never purchased.  Portis was one of 10 NFL players charged.  Reimbursements sought by the group of players totaled nearly $4 million.  Portis reports to prison to begin his six-month sentence in March.

Paying child support ordered by the court is important.  Non-payment of child support could result in you being held in contempt of court, similarly to Portis.  Child support payments ensure that a child’s health, maintenance, education, and other important needs are being met during essential growth years.