Dunta Robinson

Robinson with the Atlanta Falcons in 2012
No. 23, 21
Position:	Cornerback
Personal information
Born:	(1982-04-11) April 11, 1982 (age 42) Athens, Georgia, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:	183 lb (83 kg)
Career information
High school:	Clarke Central (Athens, Georgia)
College:	South Carolina (2000–2003)
NFL draft:	2004 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10
Career history
Houston Texans (2004–2009) Atlanta Falcons (2010–2012) Kansas City Chiefs (2013)
Career highlights and awards
PFWA Defensive Rookie of the Year (2004) PFWA All-Rookie Team (2004)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 591 Sacks: 5.5 Forced fumbles: 7 Fumble recoveries: 2 Interceptions: 17 Defensive touchdowns: 1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Willie Dunta Robinson (/ˈdɒnteɪ/ DON-tay; born April 11, 1982) is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at South Carolina and was drafted by the Houston Texans with the 10th overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft. Robinson also played for the Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City Chiefs.

Early years

Robinson attended Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia, and was a three-sport standout in football, basketball, and track. As a senior for the Gladiators football team, he had four interceptions and eight passes defended. On offense, he rushed for six touchdowns, and ran back a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns. In track, he ran the 100m in 10.93 seconds, and was the state champion in the long jump (7.24m).

College years

Despite graduating from Clarke Central High School in the literal shadow of the University of Georgia, Robinson committed and signed his national letter of intent to play his college football for legendary coach Lou Holtz at the University of South Carolina on February 7, 2000.^[1]

Professional career

2004 NFL Combine

Houston Texans

Robinson was drafted by the Houston Texans in the first round with the 10th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft.^[3] He immediately became a starter, starting all 16 games at right cornerback for the Texans in his rookie season, recording 87 tackles and six interceptions. During the 2008 season, Robinson became the all-time Texans' interception leader passing Aaron Glenn with 13 career interceptions.

On February 19, 2009, Robinson became the first Texan in franchise history to be given the franchise tag.^[4] Upset at receiving the tag, Robinson subsequently sat out all of Texans training camp before finally signing a one-year, $9.957 million tender a week before the 2009 NFL season began. In the Texans' first game against the New York Jets, Robinson's shoes bore the message "Pay Me Rick," directed at Texans' General Manager Rick Smith. Robinson was fined $25,000 by the NFL for wearing the shoes.^[5]

Atlanta Falcons

On March 5, 2010, as an unrestricted free agent, Robinson signed a six-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons worth $54 million with $22.5 million in guaranteed money.

Robinson was fined $50,000 for an illegal hit on a defenseless player when he hit Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson on October 17, 2010, in Philadelphia.^[6]

On September 18, 2011, Robinson made another illegal helmet-to-helmet hit on Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin.^[7] The NFL fined him $40,000.^[8]

On March 1, 2013, in a mildly surprising and abrupt move to clear salary cap space, Robinson was released by the Falcons.^[9] It was also speculated that the Falcons had grown less enamored with Robinson after his repeated personal fouls for illegal hits and a perceived low return on their $54 million investment. Former All Pro running back Michael Turner and All Pro defensive end John Abraham were also released at the same time by the Falcons as salary cap casualties.^[10]

Kansas City Chiefs

Robinson signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on March 8, 2013.^[11] On February 7, 2014, Robinson was released by the Chiefs.^[12]

NFL career statistics