There's a New Fun Bunch in Town

Washington is often called the "most powerful city in the world" -- inhabited by some of the most powerful people in the world doing, by their own admission, very important stuff covered by very important journalists. Our best athletes over the years have been Hall of Fame quality and highly professional (Art Monk comes to mind). But with the rare exception of a young devil-may-care Jurgy (circa 1960s) and Forever Riggo, the top pro sports stars in town have for the most part lacked sizzle.

Until recently, when into our midst bounded three of the most un-Washington sports stars we've ever known:

Gilbert Arenas, the 23-year-old all-star guard of the Washington Wizards who not only scores nearly 30 points a game but throws at least one of his $250 game jerseys into the stands. And he does it at MCI Center and on the road.

Clinton Portis, whose Thursday dress-up skits have turned what could have been an edgy Redskins locker room into a scene closely resembling something out of "Saturday Night Live." This from a running back who has gained 1,404 yards and needs only 29 yards today in Philadelphia to set a single-season team rushing record.

And, lastly, the Capitals phenom, Alex Ovechkin, clearly -- with Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby -- one of the best rookies to come into the NHL in years with 44 points on a losing team short of defensemen in a city not yet fully aware or totally appreciative of his presence.

The Arenas Act began when he joined the Wizards three years ago as a $10.7 million-a-year free agent from Golden State. After each game, Gilbert throws a jersey into the stands. On Wednesday night at MCI, he threw one jersey into the stands and gave away two others, including one to a fan who brought a sign to the game that read: "Hey, Gilbert, it's my little brother's birthday. Can he have your jersey?"

Arenas said he got the giveaway idea from the now-retired eccentric, Dennis Rodman, who when ejected from games would throw his game jersey into the stands. "I said to myself if I ever made the NBA, I'd do that every game," Arenas said. "As a rookie [in 2001] with Golden State I gave away a pair of shoes every game. I got the shoes free from Reebok. But the next year I started throwing the game jerseys because it's more personal."

Before the season, Arenas writes a check to the team for $25,000, which covers all 82 games, preseason and potential playoff games.

"It's my legacy to the fans," Arenas explained Wednesday. "When I'm done playing, I want one person in every city I ever played in as a visitor to have my jersey, as well as lots of fans in my home arena." Arenas also supplies many game tickets to kids and, with teammates, tries to spread cheer and distribute food during the holidays.

"I'm fortunate," he said. "People appreciate an NBA player who gives something back."

Last season, his first in Washington after being acquired in a trade from Denver for Champ Bailey, Portis gained 1,315 yards. But he never seemed completely comfortable and often was moody on a team trying to gain a new identity with the return of Coach Joe Gibbs. This year, Portis, 24, has helped turn what was a struggling 5-6 team into a playoff contender with exceptional running and a bizarre weekly act that is dramatically distinctive from the NFL norm and previous Gibbs teams.

On Thursday, for instance, Portis appeared outside the locker room as the character "Southeast Jerome," with a troupe of five teammates ("Clinton's Angels") in ridiculous get-ups better suited for a Halloween party gone bad. Portis began dressing up on Oct. 20, wearing a gray wig and dark glasses in hopes of finding the end zone for the first time. Three days later, he scored three touchdowns against the 49ers and has been doing the act ever since, featuring the likes of "Doctor Don't Know," "Sheriff Gonna Getcha" and "Dollah Bill" while getting into the end zone an additional six times.