Eddie Robinson is a former American football player who played as a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He was born on August 19, 1971, in Shreveport, Louisiana, and attended Louisiana State University (LSU) where he played college football.
Robinson was selected by the Houston Oilers in the third round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played for the Oilers for six seasons before the team moved to Tennessee and became the Tennessee Titans. Robinson played for the Titans for three seasons before joining the New York Giants for one season. He then played for the Carolina Panthers for two seasons before retiring in 2004.
During his career, Robinson was known for his toughness and durability. He played in 228 games, starting in 215 of them, and recorded 1,428 tackles, 20.5 sacks, and 13 interceptions. He was also a two-time Pro Bowl selection in 1998 and 1999.
Robinson was a key member of the Titans team that made it to Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000. In the game, Robinson recorded six tackles and helped the Titans hold the St. Louis Rams to just 23 points. However, the Titans fell short in the game, losing 23-16.
After retiring from football, Robinson became a coach. He started as a linebackers coach at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, before moving on to coach at Grambling State University, his alma mater. In 2010, Robinson was named the head coach at Grambling State, becoming the school's 19th head coach. He led the team to a 9-2 record in his first season and was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Coach of the Year.
Robinson's coaching career at Grambling State was not without controversy. In 2013, the team went on strike, refusing to play a game against Jackson State due to issues with the school's facilities and travel arrangements. The strike lasted for a week and garnered national attention. Robinson was criticized by some for his handling of the situation, but he ultimately led the team to a 7-5 record that season.
Robinson resigned as head coach of Grambling State in 2016, citing health concerns. He finished his coaching career with a record of 47-32 and was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.
Overall, Eddie Robinson had a successful football career as a player and coach. He was a tough and durable linebacker who played in over 200 games and was a two-time Pro Bowler. As a coach, he led Grambling State to success on the field, but also faced controversy off the field.
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