Bryan Robinson obit

Former Bears DL Bryan Robinson Dies at 41

He was not on the list.


Former NFL defensive lineman Bryan Robinson was found dead Saturday in a Milwaukee motel room. He was 41.

According to report by Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, citing the Milwaukee County medical examiner’s office, an autopsy and toxicology report have been done to determine the cause of death. Those results are still pending.

Robinson played 14 NFL seasons for the St. Louis Rams, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals. He spent his most extended period with the Bears from 1998 to 2003, working his way up from a seldom-used backup to a vital starter on their defensive line.

Robinson had his longest stint with the Bears, who issued a statement on the defensive lineman's death:

We are saddened to hear of the loss of Bryan Robinson. He will be remembered for the determination and work ethic he displayed on the field over his six years in Chicago. The Bears and our fans will always be indebted to him for his game-saving blocked field goal in Green Bay six days after Walter Payton's passing. Our prayers are with Bryan and his family.

Kevin Kaduk of Yahoo Sports provided one of the best highlights from Robinson's Bears career:

Kevin Kaduk @KevinKaduk

Walter Payton had just died. The Bears had lost 10 straight to GB. Then Bryan Robinson did this at Lambeau. #RIP https://t.co/Cs0A5VoTtX

A run-stopper equipped with enough versatility to play inside or out, Robinson often shifted between defensive tackle and defensive end roles. He primarily played left defensive end for the first half-decade of his career before moving inside as a 4-3 defensive tackle. The Bengals moved him back outside as a 32-year-old in 2006, and Robinson finished his career playing nose tackle in Arizona.

Former NFL offensive lineman George Foster commented on going head-to-head with Robinson:

FOST @GeorgeFoster72

Awwww mannn. Big dog Bryan Robinson passed away 😔. We had a few battles. Always a tough opponent. RIP, Big Dog

The Cardinals marched to an unlikely Super Bowl appearance in Robinson's first season with the team. He was part of an aging roster that included linebackers Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor on defense and Kurt Warner and Edgerrin James on offense.

Arizona would make the playoffs the following season before Warner's retirement led to an organizational downturn in 2010. Robinson retired after the 2010 season, having posted totals of 416 total tackles and 24 sacks during his career.

 Some of his notable teammates, coaches and team owners include: Jon Kitna, Carson Palmer, Marvin Lewis, Mike Brown, T. J. Houshmandzadeh, Chad Ochocinco Johnson, Rudi Johnson, Willie Anderson, Deltha O'Neal, Tab Perry, Shayne Graham,  Ken Whisenhunt, Rod Graves, Bill Bidwill, Russ Grimm, Matt Leinart, Kurt Warner, Leonard Pope, Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, Edgerrin James, Adrian Wilson, Sean Morey, Darnell Dockett, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Antrel Rolle, Tim Hightower,  Alan Faneca, Wayne Huizenga, Dave Wannstedt, Jason Taylor, Patrick Surtain, Marc Trestman, Marty Booker, Wes Welker, Zach Thomas, Junior Seau, A. J. Feely,Georgia Frontiere, Dick Vermeil, Kevin Carter, Mark Rypien, Tony Banks, Craig Heyward, Isaac Bruce, Eddie Kennison, Orlando Pace, Mike Horan, Ryan McNeil, Todd Lyght, Curtis Enis, Olin Kreutz, Tony Parrish, Marcus Robinson, John Allred, Todd Perry, Terry Cousin, Bam Morris, Moses Moreno, Erik Kramer, Cade McNown, Jerry Azumah, Dick Jauron, Blake Brockermeyer, John Shoop, Marty Booker, Ted Phillips, Jim Miller, Ty Hallock,Walt Harris, Rosevelt Colvin, Chris Villarrial, Clyde Simmons, Todd Sauerbrun, Rex Tucker, Dez White, James Allen, Brian Urlacher and Mike Brown.