Robby’s Supe-eve sex rap a shocker “I just don’t believe it. … I just don’t believe something like that. I got faith in him. There’s more to it than what was said, I’ll leave it at that.”FALCON LB HENRI CROCKETT ON ARREST OF EUGENE ROBINSON
MIAMI – The great leader led himself directly into Super Bowl infamy. What remained to be seen yesterday was whether Eugene Robinson’s shocking arrest less than 24 hours before Super Bowl XXXIII would lead himself and his Falcons down the road to ruin.
Teams heading into this ultimate championship game crave calm during their week in the host city – days filled with practice, parties and preparation. The Falcons were first- timers on the grand stage, but they behaved themselves, seemed to relish the newfound spotlight. They repeatedly gave credit to Super Bowl veterans such as Robinson, Cornelius Bennett and coach Dan Reeves for setting the tone and alerting the younger players what to expect.
In an instant, the calm and order was replaced by personal humiliation and team-wide disbelief. The last player anyone believed would disgrace himself here was Eugene Robinson, who for 14 seasons has been one of the league’s most classy and distinguished individuals.
But in perhaps the most stunning development to ever rock a Super Bowl on the eve of the epic game, Robinson, the veteran Falcon free safety and one of the NFL’s most accomplished citizens, was arrested at 9 p.m. Saturday night and charged with soliciting an undercover police officer for oral sex.
Officials gave this account:
Robinson was in downtown Miami on Biscayne Boulevard, in a section frequented by prostitutes and drug dealers. He was driving alone in a car when he offered the officer $40 for oral sex.
He was released from Miami police headquarters around 11 p.m. to Falcons GM Harold Richardson, promising to return for a court appearance sometime next month.
The Falcons declined comment on the incident other than to say it was a private family matter. Robinson, who initially denied his guilt but later rescinded that denial, started as usual at free safety against the Broncos.
The last time a Super Bowl was rocked by such a controversy the night before the game was 10 years ago, also in Miami, when the Bengals’ Stanley Wilson was found in a bathtub in possession of cocaine. Wilson did not play in the game the next day as the 49ers edged the Bengals.
Everything about Saturday’s incident astonished all involved with the Falcons. Robinson, 36, is something of a renaissance man, a musician, a family man, an eloquent and glib speaker who delighted the media all week with his engaging stories and anecdotes. The Hartford, Conn., native received an academic scholarship to Colgate University and is considered one of the sharpest players in the NFL. He also is a devout Christian who speaks openly about his faith. He is expected to make a smooth transition from the field to the broadcast booth after he retires.
Robinson also played a major role in back-to-back Super Bowl appearances by the Packers the past two years, and was acknowledged as not only a strong presence around the Falcons, but one of the most effective handful of leaders in the entire league.
On Saturday, in a cruel ironic twist, Robinson was named the 1999 winner of the Bart Starr Award by Athletes in Action. The award is voted on by players and honors high moral character.
“I just don’t believe it,” Falcon linebacker Henri Crockett said. “I think there’s more to it. Eugene, he’s a guy, he lives righteously, he talks about this stuff. He’s a veteran, he knows what’s going on, he knows the dos and don’ts. I just don’t believe something like that. I got faith in him. There’s more to it than what was said, I’ll leave it at that.”
What makes the arrest so incomprehensible is that Robinson all week discussed the importance of his family in his life. He and his wife Gia have two children, a daughter Brittany and a son, Brandon, and the Robinson family arrived in town late in the week.
Asked what takes up most of his off-field time during Super Bowl week, Robinson said “Your family is going to become really important. Everybody in your family is going to want your time. They’re going to bug you for everything and you have to be sure you realize the distraction and be able to get your work in on the field. You have to put a limit on how much you allow your family to intrude. It’s good to have your family here because you want them to share in your success, but you don’t want it to be a burden.”
Those were Robinson’s comments last Sunday, the day he and the Falcons arrived in town. Two days later, during Media Day at Pro Player Stadium, Robinson expounded on his delight in talking with the media and his family life.
“I happen to enjoy this part of the job,” Robinson said. “My wife sees me at my best and my worst. Right after a game, I have a big high, but then I just want to get something to drink and sleep for about four hours.”
All week, members of the Falcons hailed Robinson not only for his big-play ability – he’s the league’s career active leader with 53 interceptions – but mainly for the veteran guidance he provides.
“He has taught me so much,” cornerback Ray Buchanan said. “He taught me how to be humble. You can’t help but learn from a guy who’s carried himself so well off the field, too.”
That glittering image was tarnished on the eve of the Super Bowl, forcing Robinson and the Falcons to deal with an issue and distraction they never dreamed they’d confront.
