Damien Robinson (born December 22, 1973) is a former

safety Safety is the state of being "safe", the condition of being protected from harm or other danger. Safety can also refer to risk management, the control of recognized hazards in order to achieve an acceptable level of risk. Meanings There are ...

of the

NFL The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL is one of the major ...

. He played for the

Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South divisio ...

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 club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The J ...

, 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 club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) West, which they rejoined in 2002 as ...

. He attended college at the

University of Iowa The University of Iowa (UI, U of I, UIowa, or simply 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 org ...

Professional career

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles drafted Robinson in the 4th round of the

1997 NFL Draft The 1997 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 19–20, 1997, at the Paramount T ...

. 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. 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 The Caesars Superdome, commonly known as the Superdome (formerly known as Mercedes-Benz Superdome), is a multi-purpose stadium located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana. It is the home stadium of the New Orleans Saints ...

. 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 league's National Football Conference (NFC) South division. Since 1975, the te ...

, 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 a former American football offensive tackle who played nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Selected 7th overall in the 1998 NFL draft, Turley played five seasons for the New Orleans ...

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.

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 {{defensiveback-1970s-stub