Eugene Robinson (American football)

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Eugene Robinson
No. 41
Position: Safety
Personal information
Born: (1963-05-28) May 28, 1963 (age 60)
Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:186 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school:Weaver (Hartford)
College: Colgate
Undrafted: 1985
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Tackles:1,415
Interceptions:57
Sacks:7.5
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Eugene Keefe Robinson (born May 28, 1963) is an American former football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons. He spent the majority of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 1985. In addition to his 11 seasons with the Seahawks, he was a member of the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons for two seasons each and the Carolina Panthers for one season.

Contents

During his Seattle tenure, Robinson was named to two Pro Bowls and led the league in interceptions in 1993. Robinson's two seasons with the Packers saw him reach the Super Bowl in both years and win Super Bowl XXXI. With the Falcons, he earned a third Pro Bowl selection and made a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance.

Professional career

Seattle Seahawks

After playing college football at Colgate University, Robinson spent his first 11 NFL seasons with the Seahawks, being selected to the Pro Bowl twice in 1992 and 1993. Robinson is the Seahawks' 2nd all-time tackle leader and second in interceptions.

Green Bay Packers

After the 1995 season, Robinson signed with the Packers. That year, he recorded 55 tackles and led Green Bay with eight interceptions. After the 1996 season, the Packers went on to win Super Bowl XXXI 35–21, over his hometown team, the New England Patriots, earning Robinson a championship ring. Then again, after the 1997 season, Robinson and the Packers went to Super Bowl XXXII, however they lost 31–24, to the Denver Broncos. With his team trailing 24–17 in the third quarter, Robinson intercepted a pass from Broncos quarterback John Elway in the end zone, preventing Denver from building a bigger lead and setting up a touchdown on Green Bay's ensuing drive to tie the game. He also recorded an interception of Steve Young that set up a touchdown in the Packers 23–10 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title game two weeks prior.

Atlanta Falcons

After the 1997 season, Robinson joined the Atlanta Falcons in 1998. During the season, Robinson recorded 46 tackles, two fumble recoveries, four interceptions, and one touchdown return, earning his third career Pro Bowl selection. After making a game-saving play in the NFC Championship game (breaking up an otherwise certain winning touchdown to Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss), Robinson made it to his third consecutive Super Bowl, facing the Broncos for the second straight season.

The night prior to Super Bowl XXXIII, Robinson was arrested by an undercover police officer for soliciting a prostitute. [1] Earlier that day, Robinson received the Athletes in Action/Bart Starr Award, given annually to a player who best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community. After the arrest, Robinson agreed to return the award. [2]

The next day, without much sleep the night before due to the prostitution incident, Robinson gave up an 80-yard touchdown reception to Broncos receiver Rod Smith, giving the Broncos a 17–3 lead over the Falcons. Later, in the fourth quarter, he missed a tackle on Denver running back Terrell Davis that enabled Davis to break a long run to the Atlanta 10-yard line. The Atlanta Falcons ended up losing the game, 34–19, and Robinson was widely denounced by the press and fans for the previous night's incident. The next season was Robinson's last with the Falcons.

Carolina Panthers

After leaving the Falcons, Robinson joined the Carolina Panthers, and retired following the 2000 season.

Career summary

In his 16 seasons, Robinson recorded 1,415 tackles, 57 interceptions, 762 return yards, 22 fumble recoveries, 71 return yards, and two touchdowns (one fumble return, one interception return), and 7.5 sacks. His 57 interceptions have been exceeded by just 11 players, four of whom are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Coaching and broadcasting career

Robinson served as a color analyst for the Carolina Panthers Radio Network from 2002-18. [3] He is a varsity football and wrestling coach at Charlotte Christian School in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Beginning in January 2015, Robinson is a co-host of the morning television show Charlotte Today on WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC.

Personal life

Robinson is a Christian and spoke with the Carolina Panthers team before Super Bowl 50. [4]

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References

  1. ↑ Freeman, Mike (February 2, 1999). "SUPER BOWL XXXIII; Robinson's Arrest Looms Larger After the Falcons' Defeat". The New York Times– via NYTimes.com.
  2. ↑ Nidetz, Stephen (February 6, 1999). "FALCONS' ROBINSON TO RETURN AWARD FOR GOOD CHARACTER". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Eugene Robinson will not return as radio analyst for Panthers". Carolina Panthers.
  4. ↑ "A Redemption Story—17 Years in the Making".
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