Ron graduated High School in 1963 and played football at the University of Idaho. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and majored in marketing.
He played linebacker for seven seasons in the National Football League for the Baltimore Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, and Minnesota Vikings.
Porter was a fifth round selection of the Colts in the 1967 NFL/AFL draft, the 126th overall pick and started 93 games. He was a member of the 1968 Colts team that won the NFL Championship.