Portis might change red socks after NFL’s fines

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis might change his socks Saturday after two weeks of fines from the NFL for wearing unsanctioned red hose.

Portis and safety Sean Taylor were fined $5,000 apiece for wearing red socks instead of the Redskins’ usual white during a game against the New York Giants on Dec. 5. They received another fine for the same violations of the league’s uniform rules in last Sunday’s game against Philadelphia.

Portis criticized the fines during a conference call with reporters in California on Wednesday, but also acknowledged they have his attention.

“The fine is getting pretty expensive, so I don’t know,” Portis said when asked if he’ll wear the socks in San Francisco. “I’ve got to come up with some kind of scheme to find a way to get out of it.”

Portis has rushed for 1,173 yards and five touchdowns this season, but the Redskins (4-9) have an otherwise dismal offense. In his first game wearing red socks, he rushed for 148 yards on 31 carries against the Giants.

“I think that is a stupid fine for the simple fact that they want everybody to be the same,” Portis said. “This is an individual game, you know. That is the thing that has the league being the No. 1 sport, because different personalities come together as one and people enjoyed that.”