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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Worth the Wait for New Jersey's Robinson

June 27, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (June 26, 2002) -- "He was hungry to get back. He played with a lot of fire and passion," says New Jersey Gladiators head coach FRANK HAEGE about WR/LB SEDRICK ROBINSON, and his Week Five performance.

Robinson was inactive for their first four weeks of the 2002 season because of a new coaching staff and returning veterans. "I had to work my way in," Robinson said. "The only thing I could do was work hard until I got my shot."

"While he was inactive, I would see him running during practice with 10-pound leg weights," Haege said. The head coach saw Robinson's work ethic, and when George Williams broke his leg, Robinson got the start versus the New York Dragons. That day, Robinson returned three kickoffs for touchdowns, including a league record tying 58-yarder. In his Gladiators debut, Robinson recorded 328 all-purpose yards, was voted MVP, and earned the Arena Football League Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Since then, Robinson has scored four touchdowns, and led the team in receiving and rushing versus the Chicago Rush. But while Robinson is now comfortable with his playing situation with Gladiators, this wasn't the first time he had to wait his turn to prove excellence.

One advantage to Robinson's comfort level on the field, is the friendship of Gladiators Assistant Head coach RON JAMES. Robinson and James were united in 1993 at Division II Kentucky Wesleyan College where James was an assistant coach and Robinson was converting from a high school option-quarterback to wide receiver. Robinson still holds 22 Kentucky Wesleyan records from those days, when he was selected first-team All-America as a senior. But it was when Robinson was having his cup of coffee in the Indoor Football League with the Peoria Pirates, when Coach James came calling.

"I know he's small, but you gotta watch him play," James said to convince the former Houston ThunderBears coaching staff that the 5-foot-10, 185 pound wide receiver had the drive and determination to make it on both sides of the ball in the AFL.

Today, Robinson reflects how encouraging James was during the time he wasn't getting playing time in Houston. "He said hang in there, don't worry about it, you'll get your turn, and I did." Robinson played in 13 games for the ThunderBears that season, and was the team leader on both sides of the ball, with 62 receptions for 807 yards and 14 touchdowns, plus, two interceptions both returned for touchdowns, and a team-leading four forced fumbles. And then, with the 2001 Dispersal Draft, under the recommendation of Coach James, Haege and the Gladiators staff selected Robinson with their first pick.

It seems that the waiting period with the ThunderBears prepared Robinson for his wait for playing time with the Gladiators. But while circumstance could be used as a life-lesson, nothing can truly groom a player like God-given talent and persistence, mixed with a sense of humor.

Before Robinson even stepped foot on an indoor football field, the LaGrange, Georgia native was drafted by Major League Baseball's Cleveland Indians. "He 's just a tremendous athlete," says James. Robinson left college in 1996, to play for Cleveland's Triple-A affiliate in Indianapolis as a centerfielder. But football was in his blood. One year was enough, and it was back to the gridiron. And back to the books. Robinson did return to Kentucky Wesleyan, and just received his degree.

But a degree isn't all that Robinson earned in college. One particular superstition has followed him through the years.

"In 1993 I fell asleep in a class. This girl painted my toes. Red." Tickled more than angered, Robinson had a game the next day and no way of removing the nail polish on his toes. "I had a great game, and so before every game, the night before, I paint my toenails."

And he changes the color weekly.

So whether the paint is red, orange, or even in a checkers pattern, it must be working. Robinson has been tearing up arena turf every time he touches the ball on a kickoff return. His receiving and defensive skills have provided a spark for Haege and the Gladiators. "We're looking for him to continue doing the same," says Haege, "He's also has a real easy-going, fun personality."

And with red toenails and touchdowns, the Gladiators agree, smile, and laugh with Robinson around.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 27, 2002


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