Marcus Robinson
Age: 49
Marcus Robinson (born February 27, 1975) is a former American football player in the NFL, who played the position of wide receiver.
He has played for the Chicago Bears, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Minnesota Vikings, as well as the Rhein Fire. He founded the Marcus Robinson Foundation for underprivileged children.
Early life
Robinson was born in Fort Valley, Georgia and attended Peach County High School in Fort Valley, Georgia, where he starred in football and track. In football, he won All-America and All-State honors as a wide receiver, free safety, and punter. In track, he won regional titles on the 100 and 200 meter dashes.
College career
Robinson played wide receiver at the University of South Carolina.
Professional career
Robinson was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 4th round (108th overall) of the 1997 NFL Draft. Robinson enjoyed some success with the Bears, setting a team record with 1,400 receiving yards in 1999, though the record was broken by Brandon Marshall in 2012. Injuries forced him into a journeyman role for the rest of his career.
As a Baltimore Raven in 2003, he caught 4 TD passes in an OT win over the Seattle Seahawks. Robinson was expected to be resigned but the Ravens wanted their first star at WR, so Robinson was let a free agent. He was the leading wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings the previous three years before he was inexplicably cut on Christmas Eve, 2006. The unusual move came a day after the St. Paul Pioneer Press published an interview with Robinson in which he expressed displeasure with the Vikings' 6-9-1 record.
He signed a one-day contract with the Chicago Bears in June 2008, citing his desire to retire with the team that gave him his first chance in pro football. He officially retired on June 9, 2008.
Life after the NFL
Marcus is currently working as a physical trainer for young athletes, and he is the wide receiver coach for the Saint Viator football team in Arlington Heights, IL. He is also the sprint coach for the Marian Hurricanes track team in Woodstock IL.
Stats
Year | Team | Rec | Yds | TD |
---|---|---|---|---|
1998 | Chicago Bears | 5 | 44 | 1 |
1999 | Chicago Bears | 84 | 1400 | 9 |
2000 | Chicago Bears | 55 | 738 | 5 |
2001 | Chicago Bears | 23 | 269 | 2 |
2002 | Chicago Bears | 21 | 244 | 3 |
2003 | Baltimore Ravens | 31 | 451 | 6 |
2004 | Minnesota Vikings | 47 | 657 | 8 |
2005 | Minnesota Vikings | 31 | 515 | 5 |
2006 | Minnesota Vikings | 29 | 381 | 4 |
325 | 4699 | 43 |