Nine years later it seems crazy to think NFL teams thought there were 50 players better than Clinton Portis. The former Redskins running back and 51st overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft is announcing his retirement at a Thursday news conference.

Seventy-seven yards shy of 10,000 yards, Portis turned into one of the best running backs in the league for a seven season stretch. His first two seasons in the league were two of the best a running back can imagine to start his career -- over 3,000 rushing yards, 29 touchdowns and a 5.5 yards per carry average.

It wasn't just that Broncos offensive line, either. Portis continued it in Washington where he put up at least 1,200 yards rushing in four of his next five seasons.

Portis reflected on his nine years in the NFL a few hours before he will officially call it quits. Bonus points to who can tell us what "50 TKO's" means.

Time to walk the green mile, spent half my life on the gridiron never figured i would get butterflies preparing to walk away

— Clinton Portis (@TheRealC_Portis) August 23, 2012

Thanks to all my fans, haters, friends, family and teammates. This game wouldn't have been the same w/o you all.

— Clinton Portis (@TheRealC_Portis) August 23, 2012

I still here the voices, not good enough, to small, bad attitude, injury prone, scat back, can't catch, not coach able , party animal

— Clinton Portis (@TheRealC_Portis) August 23, 2012

15 yrs later no arrest, no drugs, 9yrs in NFL, 2 pro bowls, over 50 TKO's, a couple dollars, 75TDS, why not now out gracefully