
Ramon Robinson shining for Bluecats
Published on May 14, 2004 under National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Evansville BlueCats News Release
Ramon Robinson recently got the opportunity he has been waiting a long time for. After playing the second half into three of the Evansville Bluecats first four games, Robinson got the start two weeks ago against the Ft Wayne Freedom. In those last 2 games, Robinson has completed 43 of 65 passes for 565 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Bluecats offense, when not interrupted by the clock at the end of a half or game, has scored on 24 consecutive possessions including 23 touchdowns. In last week's game against the Show-Me Believers Robinson set league records with 399 passing yards and 404 total yards, while tying a 2004 league high with 7 touchdown passes. That performance by the Bluecats Quarterback earned him National Indoor Football League Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Week status this week.
The Bluecats offense has scored 159 points in the last two games. Robinson said, "I have never played on a team that felt this confident. There are no weaknesses. This is the best offensive line I have ever played behind and the receivers take it to the next level. The last couple of weeks I have been like Michael Jordan. I am feeling it." Robinson is also happy to have Bluecats running back Michael Cosey behind him, "Michael gets 5 to 7 yards a carry and he is a good receiver." Robinson said that makes it tough for teams to key on just the passing game or just the running game. "When it works it works. We have great team chemistry."
Robinson played last season in Green Bay for the AF2 Blizzard. This year Robinson flew around the country and tried out for several AFL teams. Robinson said every team he tried out for said they were already set at QB. He got a call from the Bluecats and showed up in Evansville the week of the first game. Robinson said the NIFL "is the closest (indoor) league to the outdoor rules. I wanted to prove myself in this league." Robinson's professional football experience includes the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL, Albany Firebirds of the AFL and the Charleston Swamp Foxes and Carolina Rhinos of the AF2.
Robinson's football career began at T.L Hannah High School in his hometown of Anderson, South Carolina. James "Radio" Kennedy is from Hannah High School. (The same "Radio" as in the recent movie.) "I grew up about 3 streets over from where Radio lived," Robinson said. Robinson's grandmother raised him but he said, "really my entire family was always around-aunts, uncles, everybody." Out of high school Robinson signed to play at Itawamba Community College in Mississippi. In his first year at Itawamba he had a son and left school without ever playing. He then signed with Benedict College, a NCAA Division II traditionally Black College in Columbia, South Carolina. After college Robinson said he was on several team's draft boards but never heard his name called. "I was in the same draft as Donavan McNabb and Dante Culpepper. That was rough," Robinson said.
Robinson said his biggest motivation is his son, 8 year-old Zarian Raiquan Robinson. Ramon said, "He really sparks me. He motivates in a way most people don't get to experience. He is always telling me âDaddy you're supposed to be in the NFL.' It's amazing that an 8 year-old can push me to get to the NFL." Robinson said he talks to his son before every game. Ramon coached Zarian's youth league football team last year and said, "He's a good player. He has picked up a lot of things from tagging along with me to practice over the years." Robinson, 29, has some close friends who he works out with in the off-season as well, including NFL players Brandon Bennett and Bobby McGowen. Robinson's football heroes are Doug Williams, the first black quarterback to lead an NFL team to the Super Bowl, and Charlie Ward, the first Black quarterback to win the Heisman trophy and a NCAA National Championship.
Robinson leads the Evansville Bluecats into action this Saturday night against the Atlantic City Card Sharks in the "Fish Bowl" at Roberts Stadium. Game time is set for 7:05. Robinson said playing in the "Fish Bowl" is an advantage for the Bluecats, "The advantage we have is we practice on the field from time to time." Because of the smaller field Robinson said, "Reads are much more compact. Playing on the road on a bigger field really opens it up for our offense. It is a disadvantage for our defense because there is more field to cover." Robinson wants to thank Bluecats fans for their support, but as the Bluecats win more and more he wants to see the attendance get better. "We are going to give you quality professional football," is Robinson's promise to Bluecat's fans.
National Indoor Football League Stories from May 14, 2004
- Red Dogs welcome trio - Black Hills Red Dogs
- Bluecats and Zoo Teaming up for Day of Family Fun - Evansville BlueCats
- CardSharks on the Road Again - Atlantic City CardSharks
- Omaha Visits Utah for Huge Game in Playoff Race - Utah Warriors
- Beef notes - Omaha Beef
- Ramon Robinson shining for Bluecats - Evansville BlueCats
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