Koren Robinson
Encyclopedia
Koren Lynard Robinson is an American football
wide receiver
who is currently a free agent
. He was drafted by the Seahawks ninth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at North Carolina State
.
Robinson has also played for the Minnesota Vikings
and Green Bay Packers
between stints with the Seahawks. He was selected to the Pro Bowl
with the Vikings in 2005.
drafted Robinson with the 9th overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft
. Robinson was released for repeatedly violating the NFL substance abuse policy. Coach Mike Holmgren
was reduced to tears over the release because he said he'd prayed for Robinson every day, but said it had to be done because he was given many chances, gave many apologies and promises, and never came through on them.
after being released by Seattle. He was given a limited role in his time with the Vikings and was named the team's kick returner. Despite it being the first time in his career he had returned kicks, Robinson made the Pro Bowl
in 2005. However, after being involved in a high-speed car chase in the spring of 2006, the Vikings released him.
However, the Packers picked two younger receivers in the 2008 NFL Draft
, creating a logjam at the position. Robinson was deemed expendable, and the Packers released him on May 9, 2008. Packers General Manager Ted Thompson said, "I think a lot of Koren. I'm very proud to be able to see him turn things around. He's a true professional. He helped us in the locker room. He helped the young guys learn to be pros."
threw a pass to Robinson that went for 90 yards and a touchdown on the Seahawks' first play from scrimmage against the Philadelphia Eagles
at Qwest Field
in Seattle on November 2, 2008 which was also the longest pass in team history. On January 26, 2009 it was reported by Pro Football Weekly
that Robinson was not expected to be back with the Seahawks the next season due to a chronic knee injury.
Returning
program in South Carolina
. Afterwards, Robinson was acquired by the Vikings for the 2005 season.
During the 2005 Minnesota Vikings boat cruise scandal
, Robinson was angry the Star Tribune
associated him with the incident saying "I wasn't there, as far as the whole situation, I just know I wasn't on the boat, and I don't want to get involved. I don't want my name brought up because of what I just went through and what I'm still going through. So for my name to be brought up like that is just crazy and upsetting, because I don't want anyone looking at me because I had nothing to do with it."
On July 6, 2006 Koren Robinson's agent, Alvin Keels, told the press Koren checked back into the South Carolina rehab center but did nothing wrong and would not go into details. When Koren heard it in the news he angrily denied he was in rehab and said he did not have a relapse. Koren said he just went in for a couple of relapse prevention classes to ensure his alcohol problems do not return.
On Tuesday August 16, 2006 during the 2006 pre-season it was reported that Robinson was again arrested and incarcerated for "driving while impaired". This was the day after he was praised by ESPN
's Joe Theisman and many others in the press for his "proactive" approach to his struggles with alcohol and turning his life around. He was arrested at 10:45 pm just before he was supposed to be back to training camp in Mankato, MN. Charges of drunken driving, fleeing police (felony
), reckless driving
, and driving without a valid license are pending as of August 2006. The police report said he was clocked going at over 100 mph and he was charged with having a blood alcohol content
of .11 (.08 is the legal limit in Minnesota.) It was later reported that five days before this arrest Koren received a citation on the same street for driving without a valid state license an hour after training camp curfew.
Robinson was released by the Vikings on Saturday August 26, 2006 http://www.startribune.com/510/story/637959.html. The Vikings' decision resulted in Robinson and his agent filing a union grievance since the collective bargaining
agreement prohibits teams from releasing players for disciplinary reasons. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2616295 On January 23, 2007 Robinson reached a deal with prosecutors to be sentenced on a single felony charge of fleeing police after leading officers on a high-speed chase in August, 2006. In exchange for Robinson's Alford plea
, prosecutors dismissed seven lesser charges related to drunken driving, reckless driving and driving without a license.http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-01-23-notebook_x.htm?csp=34
On February 20, 2007 Robinson was sentenced to 90 days in jail for fleeing police in August 2006. He served the sentence at the same time he serves 90 days for violating his probation in a separate drunken-driving case in Kirkland, Wash., last year. Robinson will be on probation for three years and must also must complete 80 hours of community service and pay a $1,500 fine.http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/GB/10009899 On October 17, 2007 Robinson was reinstated with the NFL. He resumed practicing with the Green Bay Packers immediately. Since August, 2007 he had been training in Arizona with Brett Favre's personal trainer, Ken Croner, in preparation for reinstatement. On October 30, 2007, Robinson was activated by the Packers to fill a roster spot vacated by DeShawn Wynn
, who was placed on injured reserve.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He was drafted by the Seahawks ninth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft
2001 NFL Draft
The 2001 NFL Draft took place on April 21–22, 2001 at the theater at Madison Square Garden, in New York City. This was the 66th National Football League draft in league history. The draft was broadcast on ESPN both days and eventually moved to ESPN2. No teams elected to claim any players in the...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at North Carolina State
NC State Wolfpack
The athletic teams of the North Carolina State University, known as the Wolfpack, compete in 24 intercollegiate varsity sports. NC State is a founding member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and has won eight national championships: two NCAA championships, two AIAW championships, and four titles...
.
Robinson has also played for the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
and Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
between stints with the Seahawks. He was selected to the Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
with the Vikings in 2005.
First stint with Seahawks
The Seattle SeahawksSeattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
drafted Robinson with the 9th overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft
2001 NFL Draft
The 2001 NFL Draft took place on April 21–22, 2001 at the theater at Madison Square Garden, in New York City. This was the 66th National Football League draft in league history. The draft was broadcast on ESPN both days and eventually moved to ESPN2. No teams elected to claim any players in the...
. Robinson was released for repeatedly violating the NFL substance abuse policy. Coach Mike Holmgren
Mike Holmgren
Michael George Holmgren is a former professional football coach and current President of the Cleveland Browns. He served as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 1992 to 1998, and the Seattle Seahawks from 1999 to 2008...
was reduced to tears over the release because he said he'd prayed for Robinson every day, but said it had to be done because he was given many chances, gave many apologies and promises, and never came through on them.
Minnesota Vikings
Robinson was signed by the Minnesota VikingsMinnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
after being released by Seattle. He was given a limited role in his time with the Vikings and was named the team's kick returner. Despite it being the first time in his career he had returned kicks, Robinson made the Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
in 2005. However, after being involved in a high-speed car chase in the spring of 2006, the Vikings released him.
Green Bay Packers
In September 2006, Robinson was signed by the Green Bay Packers, much by the urging of then-quarterback Brett Favre and GM Ted Thompson (former Seahawks executive who had drafted Robinson in 2001 in Seattle). After only playing four games, Robinson was put on a one year suspension by the NFL due to charges resulting from the high-speed car chase that ended his tenure in Minnesota. The incident was his third violation of the league's substance abuse policy. During his suspension, Robinson worked out with Favre's trainer to stay in football shape. Robinson was reinstated by Commissioner Goodell in October 2007, and he completed the 2007 season with 21 catches for 241 yards and one touchdown.However, the Packers picked two younger receivers in the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
, creating a logjam at the position. Robinson was deemed expendable, and the Packers released him on May 9, 2008. Packers General Manager Ted Thompson said, "I think a lot of Koren. I'm very proud to be able to see him turn things around. He's a true professional. He helped us in the locker room. He helped the young guys learn to be pros."
Second stint with Seahawks
On September 16, 2008, the Seahawks signed Robinson, due to the large number of injuries at the receiver position. In his second stint with the Seahawks, Robinson broke the franchise record with the longest catch in team history. Back-up quarterback Seneca WallaceSeneca Wallace
Seneca Isayha Wallace is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
threw a pass to Robinson that went for 90 yards and a touchdown on the Seahawks' first play from scrimmage against the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
at Qwest Field
Qwest Field
CenturyLink Field is a multi-purpose stadium in Seattle, Washington, United States. It serves as the home field for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League and Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer...
in Seattle on November 2, 2008 which was also the longest pass in team history. On January 26, 2009 it was reported by Pro Football Weekly
Pro Football Weekly
Pro Football Weekly is an American sports magazine, founded in 1967, that covers the National Football League...
that Robinson was not expected to be back with the Seahawks the next season due to a chronic knee injury.
Florida Tuskers
Robinson was signed by the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League on September 3, 2009.New York Sentinels
Robinson was traded to the Sentinels for future considerations. He was suspended by the Sentinels on October 31 for failing to report for team meetings.Statistics
Receiving| Team | G | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | 20+ | 40+ | 1st | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Seattle Seahawks | 16 | 13 | 39 | 536 | 13.7 | 42 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 25 |
| 2002 | Seattle Seahawks | 16 | 16 | 78 | 1240 | 15.9 | 83 | 5 | 19 | 4 | 58 |
| 2003 | Seattle Seahawks | 15 | 15 | 65 | 896 | 13.8 | 38 | 4 | 14 | 0 | 39 |
| 2004 | Seattle Seahawks | 10 | 8 | 31 | 495 | 16 | 33 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 23 |
| 2005 | Minnesota Vikings | 14 | 5 | 22 | 347 | 15.8 | 80 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 10 |
| 2006 | Green Bay Packers | 4 | 0 | 7 | 89 | 12.7 | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| 2007 | Green Bay Packers | 9 | 1 | 21 | 241 | 11.5 | 43 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 11 |
| 2008 | Seattle Seahawks | 12 | 12 | 31 | 400 | 12.9 | 90 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 22 |
| Total | 96 | 70 | 294 | 4244 | 14.4 | 90 | 16 | 63 | 11 | 194 |
Returning
| Year | Team | G | No | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | 40+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Seattle Seahawks | 16 | 0 | 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | Seattle Seahawks | 16 | 0 | 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | Seattle Seahawks | 15 | 0 | 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | Seattle Seahawks | 10 | 0 | 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | Minnesota Vikings | 14 | 47 | 1221 | 26.0 | 86 | 1 | 7 |
| 2006 | Green Bay Packers | 4 | 12 | 253 | 21.1 | 31 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | Green Bay Packers | 9 | 25 | 596 | 23.8 | 67 | 0 | 3 |
| 2008 | Seattle Seahawks | 12 | 0 | 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 84 | 84 | 2070 | 24.6 | 86 | 1 | 10 |
Personal
Robinson was arrested for drunk driving in May, 2005, and pleaded guilty to one count of driving under the influence. Prior to this he had also been suspended four games for violating the substance abuse policy in 2004 and completed an offseason alcohol rehabilitation program. He was subsequently released by the Seahawks. On August 1, 2005, Robinson checked himself into a 28-day alcohol rehabilitationDrug rehabilitation
Drug rehabilitation is a term for the processes of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment, for dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and so-called street drugs such as cocaine, heroin or amphetamines...
program in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. Afterwards, Robinson was acquired by the Vikings for the 2005 season.
During the 2005 Minnesota Vikings boat cruise scandal
2005 Minnesota Vikings boat cruise scandal
An alleged sex party occurred on October 6, 2005 on Lake Minnetonka with seventeen key members of the Minnesota Vikings football team; including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, Fred Smoot, Mewelde Moore, Pat Williams, Bryant McKinnie, Nate Burleson, Ralph Brown, Troy Williamson, Travis Taylor, Kevin...
, Robinson was angry the Star Tribune
Star Tribune
The Star Tribune is the largest newspaper in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is published seven days each week in an edition for the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. A statewide version is also available across Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota. The...
associated him with the incident saying "I wasn't there, as far as the whole situation, I just know I wasn't on the boat, and I don't want to get involved. I don't want my name brought up because of what I just went through and what I'm still going through. So for my name to be brought up like that is just crazy and upsetting, because I don't want anyone looking at me because I had nothing to do with it."
On July 6, 2006 Koren Robinson's agent, Alvin Keels, told the press Koren checked back into the South Carolina rehab center but did nothing wrong and would not go into details. When Koren heard it in the news he angrily denied he was in rehab and said he did not have a relapse. Koren said he just went in for a couple of relapse prevention classes to ensure his alcohol problems do not return.
On Tuesday August 16, 2006 during the 2006 pre-season it was reported that Robinson was again arrested and incarcerated for "driving while impaired". This was the day after he was praised by ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's Joe Theisman and many others in the press for his "proactive" approach to his struggles with alcohol and turning his life around. He was arrested at 10:45 pm just before he was supposed to be back to training camp in Mankato, MN. Charges of drunken driving, fleeing police (felony
Felony
A felony is a serious crime in the common law countries. The term originates from English common law where felonies were originally crimes which involved the confiscation of a convicted person's land and goods; other crimes were called misdemeanors...
), reckless driving
Reckless driving
Reckless driving is a major moving traffic violation. As a legal term, it is used within the United States. This offence has been abolished in the United Kingdom and replaced...
, and driving without a valid license are pending as of August 2006. The police report said he was clocked going at over 100 mph and he was charged with having a blood alcohol content
Blood alcohol content
Blood alcohol content , also called blood alcohol concentration, blood ethanol concentration, or blood alcohol level is most commonly used as a metric of alcohol intoxication for legal or medical purposes....
of .11 (.08 is the legal limit in Minnesota.) It was later reported that five days before this arrest Koren received a citation on the same street for driving without a valid state license an hour after training camp curfew.
Robinson was released by the Vikings on Saturday August 26, 2006 http://www.startribune.com/510/story/637959.html. The Vikings' decision resulted in Robinson and his agent filing a union grievance since the collective bargaining
Collective bargaining
Collective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers and the representatives of a unit of employees aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions...
agreement prohibits teams from releasing players for disciplinary reasons. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2616295 On January 23, 2007 Robinson reached a deal with prosecutors to be sentenced on a single felony charge of fleeing police after leading officers on a high-speed chase in August, 2006. In exchange for Robinson's Alford plea
Alford plea
An Alford plea in United States law is a guilty plea in criminal court, where the defendant does not admit the act and asserts innocence...
, prosecutors dismissed seven lesser charges related to drunken driving, reckless driving and driving without a license.http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-01-23-notebook_x.htm?csp=34
On February 20, 2007 Robinson was sentenced to 90 days in jail for fleeing police in August 2006. He served the sentence at the same time he serves 90 days for violating his probation in a separate drunken-driving case in Kirkland, Wash., last year. Robinson will be on probation for three years and must also must complete 80 hours of community service and pay a $1,500 fine.http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/GB/10009899 On October 17, 2007 Robinson was reinstated with the NFL. He resumed practicing with the Green Bay Packers immediately. Since August, 2007 he had been training in Arizona with Brett Favre's personal trainer, Ken Croner, in preparation for reinstatement. On October 30, 2007, Robinson was activated by the Packers to fill a roster spot vacated by DeShawn Wynn
DeShawn Wynn
DeShawn Wynn is an American professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League. Wynnn played college football for the University of Florida. He was drafted by the NFL's Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft, and has also played for the New...
, who was placed on injured reserve.