Veteran coach Eddie Robinson dies at 88
On October 5, 1985, in the hallowed grounds of the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Grambling State University's esteemed coach Eddie Robinson etched his name into the annals of college football history. His team outshone Prairie View A&M with a decisive 27-7 victory, propelling Robinson past the record of 323 wins previously held by legendary Bear Bryant.
A fortuitous coincidence led Robinson, born in 1919, to pay an unanticipated visit to Bryant's funeral two years prior, unable to make an airplane connection. In the face of this record-breaking achievement, Robinson humbly downplayed its significance. "I don't wish to be remembered for surpassing Bryant's record," he asserted, "but as a coach who contributed to the game, influenced lives, and left an enduring impact."
Robinson, recognized for his illustrious career—he retired after 408 victories, 165 losses, and 15 ties in 1997—was revered not just for his tactical acumen but equally for his commitment to his players' holistic growth. His teachings transcended the football field, imbuing them with values of compassion, perseverance, and academic excellence.
The influence of Robinson extended beyond the gridiron. "When I left Grambling," recollected Doug Williams, the Washington Redskins' Super Bowl XXII MVP, "I felt as though I'd earned a degree in philosophy." Willie Davis, a Hall of Famer, fondly remembered, "Robinson was always there for us, whether in the dormitories ensuring our academic progress or pushing us towards class."
Robinson first arrived at Grambling in 1941, serving as the head football and basketball coach for a meager salary of $63.75 a month. Over five decades, he sent scores of players to the NFL, four of whom graced the Pro Football Hall of Fame. These alumni attest that their football careers concluded not impoverished, but enriched by the wisdom and guidance of Robinson.
Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame himself, Robinson's legacy permeates the annals of football history. His influence transcends victories and losses, symbolizing a powerful blend of mentorship, guidance, and ambition for African American communities across the nation.
In the world of sports, Robinson's victory on October 5, 1985, in the Cotton Bowl, surpassed the record held by legendary coach Bear Bryant in American football, specifically in College Football. Beyond football, Robinson's influence is evident in the lives of his players, imparting not just tactical skills, but also values like compassion, perseverance, and academic excellence, preparing them for success both on and off the field.
