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Today at TCO Performance Center we all witnessed the end of an era. Brian Robison, who recently announced his retirement from the NFL, was here to hold one final press conference where he thanked the players, staff and fans before riding off into the sunset. Some of those on-hand included HC Mike Zimmer, DL Coach Andre Patterson. Former teammates Everson Griffen, Anthony Barr, and Chad Greenway were also in the mix, just to name a few.
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Brian Robison just finished a nearly hourlong retirement press conference featuring laughs, tears and many former teammates. Classic B-Rob. #Vikings pic.twitter.com/lFgJ76Rxjo
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) May 15, 2019
Brian Robison on his loyalty to the #Vikings: “Minnesota was where I wanted to be. These guys in this room is who I wanted to be with, and it’s where I was happy.” @FOX9 pic.twitter.com/saAM0oczDe
— Jeff Wald (@JeffWaldFox9) May 15, 2019
*Watch the full press conference here
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Robison spent all of his 11 seasons in a Viking uniform, where he appeared in 173 Games (103 of those being starts). In 176 possible games, Robison played in 173 of them. Talk about durability. There were so many aspects to the huge effect Robison had on this Franchise, on his teammates, and on the state of Minnesota in general.
Robison was drafted in the 4th Round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Vikings he ended up appearing in 15 games as a rookie, including 5 starts. Robison finished his rookie campaign with 1 forced fumble, 4.5 sacks, 8 TFLs and 3 QB hits. The journey had begun.
His best season statistically, came playing opposite Jared Allen in 2013 where Robision finished with this stat line: 3 PD | 1 FR | 1 TD | 9 Sacks | 12 TFLs | 18 QB hits. It’s just a shame that no one beyond the defensive line could stop anyone that season.
Robison appeared in 2 NFCCG’s with the Vikings in ‘09 and ‘17. Obviously the result for both of those games could have been better, but in both cases, he played a major role in getting us to those games.
For me, Robison will always be one of those lunch pail guys. He reminds me of a Chris Walsh type, who just showed up, did what he was told, and kicked ass at it. From the fierce pony-tail years to final clean cut season, it was a blast. There are so many memories of his that hit the sweet spot.
I swear he was always good for one strip sack of Rodgers when we played GB. His reel’em in sack celebration got The Dome and The Bank shaking, while combining his love for football with his love for fishing. Football and fishing… he was meant to be Minnesota.
Class act from the beginning of his time here in Minnesota to the end.
Forever a Viking.
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Brian Heintz | Minnesota Sports Fan
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