Eugene Robinson

Eugene Robinson
No. 41     
Safety
Personal information
Date of birth: May 28, 1963 (1963-05-28) (age 48)
Hartford, Connecticut
Career information
College: Colgate
Undrafted in 1985
Debuted in 1985 for the Seattle Seahawks
Last played in 2000 for the Carolina Panthers
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NFL.com

Eugene Keefe Robinson (born May 28, 1963) is a former professional American football player who played free safety. He played collegiately at Colgate University. In his 16-year NFL career, Robinson played for the Seattle Seahawks from 1985 to 1995, the Green Bay Packers from 1996 to 1997, Atlanta Falcons from 1998 to 1999, and Carolina Panthers in 2000.

Contents

Professional career

Seattle Seahawks

After a college career at Colgate University, Robinson spent his first 11 NFL seasons with the Seahawks, being selected to the Pro Bowl twice in 1992 and 1993.

Green Bay Packers

After the 1995 season, Robinson signed with the Packers and recorded 55 tackles and leading Green Bay with eight interceptions. After the 1996 season, the Packers went on to win Super Bowl XXXI 35-21, over the New England Patriots, earning Robinson his first and only 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 setup a touchdown in the Packers 23-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title game a week prior.

During Super Bowl XXXII, Robinson not only declared to his teammates that the Broncos were like the Colts (the worst team in football that year, but who defeated the Packers 41-38 in week 12), but also declared, "This team is not better than us; they're not even good!"

Atlanta Falcons

After the 1997 season, Robinson joined the Atlanta Falcons and after making a game saving play in the NFC Championship game (breaking up an otherwise certain winning touchdown for Randy Moss and the Minnesota Vikings) made it back to the Super Bowl (the Falcons first appearance ever) for the third year in a row, and again faced the Broncos.

During the season, Robinson recorded 46 tackles, two fumble recoveries, four interceptions, and one touchdown return, earning his third career Pro Bowl selection. On the day before Super Bowl XXXIII, he was awarded the Bart Starr Award from the Christian group Athletes in Action for his "high moral character". However, that very same night he was arrested for offering an undercover female police officer posing as a prostitute $40 for oral sex. The next day in, 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 Falcons ended up losing the game 34-19, and Robinson was widely denounced by the press and fans for the previous night's incident. He spent a final year 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 is exceeded by just 11 players, four of whom are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Coaching and broadcasting career

Robinson currently serves as a color analyst for the Carolina Panthers Radio Network, and as a varsity football coach at Charlotte Christian School in Charlotte, North Carolina.

References

External links