MIAMI – The way the Falcons played last night, they would have loved to have had an excuse to explain why they were pussycats on defense and too charitable on offense.
Surely the stunning news that their team leader, free safety Eugene Robinson, was arrested Saturday night and charged with soliciting an undercover police officer for oral sex sent shock waves through the team and the organization.
But it did not – repeat, did not – affect the way the Falcons played in their 34-19 loss to the Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII.
At least that’s what the Falcons say.
“I would really like to use Eugene as an excuse, but I can’t,” RB Jamal Anderson said. “It wasn’t a distraction to the team at all.”
Believe that if you will. After their resounding loss, the Falcons rallied behind Robinson, a 14-year veteran who is probably the last player anyone would have expected to be involved in a sordid tale, especially one on the eve of the Super Bowl.
Robinson took his usual place in the starting lineup and at one point early in the game could be seen blowing kisses into the stands, presumably at his wife, Gia. The couple has two children, a son Brandon, 9, and a daughter Brittany,11.
“I don’t know anybody who hasn’t made mistakes in their lives,” said Dan Reeves, who informed his team of the arrest. “We love him unconditionally. No one’s more embarrassed by it than Eugene. I’m not going to crucify him.”
Travis Hall, a defensive lineman, said, “It was a shock to everyone, no question,” and added that the Falcons, “tried to ignore the whole thing.”
A devout Christian, Robinson last night said, “I feel I will be found innocent but not righteous” and deferred other inquiries about the specifics of his arrest to his lawyers.
Linebacker Cornelius Bennett, who spent 35 days in a jail outside of Buffalo last year for his involvement in a sexual misconduct case, said he spoke at length with Robinson and advised him, “Don’t put yourself in that situation whether you’re innocent or guilty.”
Added Bennett, “Just because you’re Christian doesn’t mean you’re not going to have stumbling blocks in your life. Everybody, his family and friends will be watching to see what he does next. His family is going through embarrassment and hurt.
“You still have to remain strong. You can’t let it tear you down. It was upsetting that it happened, but as far as affecting the outcome of the game, I don’t think it had an effect on us one way or the other.”
Cornerback Ray Buchanan said he embraced Robinson and said, “If anybody out there right now has never sinned, I would love to meet him. If something like this happens at this particular time, it does hurt. But you want to move on.”
