Damien Robinson (born December 22, 1973) is an American former professional

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...

safety Safety is the state of being protected from harm or other danger. Safety can also refer to the control of recognized hazards in order to achieve an acceptable level of risk. Meanings The word 'safety' entered the English language in the 1 ...

of the

National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...

(NFL). He played for the

Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (colloquially known as the Bucs) are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC S ...

New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Jets compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The team p ...

, and

Seattle Seahawks The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle. The Seahawks compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West division. The club entered the NFL a ...

. He attended college at the

University of Iowa The University of Iowa (U of I, UIowa, or Iowa) is a public university, public research university in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1847, it is the oldest and largest university in the state. The University of Iowa is organized int ...

Professional career

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles selected Robinson in the fourth round of the 1997 NFL draft. Represented b
Dr Glenn Toby
and Jimmy Gould

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On September 18, 1997, the Buccaneers signed Robinson off of the Eagles practice squad. During the 2000 NFL season, Robinson was one of the league's leading Free Safeties with 6 interceptions and 11 passes defended. Robinson was the starting free safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The number one defense in the NFL known for the Tampa 2 defense. Robinson was known for his ball hawking and hard hitting skills.

New York Jets

Robinson signed to the N.Y. Jets in 2001 as one of the top free agents on the market. Robinson is best known for the November 4, 2001 event at the

Louisiana Superdome Caesars Superdome (originally Louisiana Superdome and formerly Mercedes-Benz Superdome), commonly known as the Superdome, is a domed multi-purpose stadium in the Southern United States, southern United States, located in New Orleans, Louisiana. ...

. His Jets were leading the

New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans. The Saints compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. Since 1975, the team ...

, 16–9, late in the ball game. After a routine offensive play, Robinson grabbed the face mask of Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks and continually pulled at the mask, bending Brooks backwards and twisting his neck. Saints offensive lineman

Kyle Turley Kyle John Turley (born September 24, 1975) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs and was ...

was furious, and attacked Robinson. It was a team scuffle as referees and players from both teams tried to separate them. Robinson knocked Turley's helmet off. Turley emerged from the ensuing scrum with Robinson's helmet and flung it across the field before making an obscene gesture. Turley later was fined $20,000 by the NFL for his actions. Robinson stayed in the game which was subsequently won by the Jets.

Seattle Seahawks

On March 11, 2003, Robinson signed a multi-year contract with the Seahawks. In 2003, he played in 15 games, starting 4. He spent the 2004 season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. On March 3, 2005, he was released from his contract.

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

References

Living people 1973 births Players of American football from Dallas Hillcrest High School (Dallas) alumni American football safeties Tampa Bay Buccaneers players New York Jets players Seattle Seahawks players Iowa Hawkeyes football players 20th-century American sportsmen {{defensiveback-1970s-stub