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Home , Charley Diamond, Chris Burford, Cotton Davidson, George Blanda, Hank Stram, Joe Namath

hey call him sweet Johnny, the Candy 1)01 and the NFL. All-Star Man. And it just sr :iappens that he has the • •••:..• to the all-time AFL Football stickiest hands of any playei who performed team seleccl by the Professional in the old League. 'fall Fame The Chief's startcd his 4. t Is played in sis All-Star games. in one pro career as a running back, but after two 5. Twice intercepted three asses seasons shifted him to the defen- game last season. handsome sive backfield. It was an inspired move. In his For all of his achie‘ements nine seasons on defense Robinson has picked Johnny seldom has been a headline maker clothe_ off just about everything alai moves through probably because he eschews fancy But ever. the air except the coin used for the pre-game and controversial comments. conserva toss. though Robinson's public image is He led the AFL in career tive his career has been far from bland. first with 43. Last year the AR teams bfq.ame 11e was a central tigure in 0,e of the be members of the National great signir battles NFL Football League's Ameri- tweet) the At- c and the th. • can Conference. The lie was first signed by then Ir. change made no difference and wit( t to Robinson; he palled the Texans, th. down '10 enemy passes and were later io bemme won had one of his greatest Chiefs. The 'Texans Robin - seasons. title to him in cocci. r Robinson's 53 career son is the only player Mai tears interceptions have moved him into second has been with the Dallas-Kans., City place among all active players. The only since its inwption. ir player with more interceptions is Dick I e Robinsoa played against the Vikings thereby Beau of the Detroit Lions, who has 36. Robin- the 1970 with torn ribs, in- son is fifth on the all-time list establishing himself as the most seriously game. and climbing. rur.ed player ever to start a Super Bowl With Rt,!)inson's help the Chiefs led the Robinson operates a , swimming his AFL in interceptions for the last four years of and so( tat club in Kansas City and flies its existence and :ast season were No. 1 in the chef in from on weekends. American Confererce. and the Where went for fast food. Robin- world champion Baltimore Colts quickly be- son specializes in fast chefs. came aware of Robinson's presence when he The fight over Robinson's services begat' picked off three passes against hem in the before his collegiate career at L.S.0 had only regular season meeting between the two ended. L.S.U. was to play in the Sugar Bowl clubs. following the 1959 season. was The AFL had its share of outstanding prepared to wait until after the Sugar Bowl to safeties but a strong case can be made for sign Robinson but the Lions, who held Robin- Robinson as the best of the lot. Following are son's NFL draft rights, were not interested some of his (redentials, in addition to inter- in playing a waiting game. coatacted ceptions: Robinson in late November and signed him 1. A consensus \II-League performer for to a contract following a negotiating session five straight years. in a Baton Rouge, La., motel. The contract . 2. Named to several of the first All-Pro was untiated and Robinson was told that this teams that were made up of players from was a standard procedure.

PRO QUARTE25ACK 11 possible for Robinson to play. "I kept saying I waoted to 12,4 with somebody about be Wednesday night before the game Robinson told it," Robinson recalls, but ..very time I started ti II some- On roommate, , that he though he was getting body they'd offer me an exti -I thousand. I wound up sign- his He asked Dawson to put a hand on his obi while he ing and they gave me my bonus' better. his arm. Hunt learned of the signing and sent a plane to rraton moved -You could feel the ribs moving and popping around Rouge for Robinson. lie explaii ied that the Texans had not there," Dawson recalls. "It was sickening. I couldn't attempted io sign any piay.ers who were still in bowl games in hut once they started thee king with these players they take it." On Sunday Di. Pierce deadened the rib area and tound that most ot them were signed . played. His presence on the field is as important Hutu Hew back to Baton Rouge. met with an attorney Robinson Irons a morale standpoint but his contribution who was representing Robinson and they reached agree- to the Chiefs there. Robinson made a key interception and ment on a contract. Robinson signed a personal services did not end brilliant all-around game. Fortunately the Chiefs «mtraci with Hunt. played a game to the point that he did not have to Following the Sugar Bow I game Robinson and Billy dominated the any Cannon, L.S.C.'s biggest star. were signed to contracts do tackling. really wasn't worried too much about making under the goal post, Robinson with Dallas and Cannon -I recalls. "My linemen and with . The NFL challenged the signings and the tackles,- Robinson tee I woaldn't have to make any and I didn't, al- case went ro court. assured though there may have been one "They decided I was a naive that I missed. The only time I got hit sysamp boy, or something like Johnny Robinson has seen a lot of was after I caught the interception.- thee" 'Robinson laughs. "I remem- in his nine-season career In the annals of courageous ber the iudge had dune a little foot- changes He football performances, Robinson's ball research and when he made with the . play in the Super Bowl ranks near his ruling he said, 'I want to remind joined the club when they were still the top. you what the judge told Sam the Dallas Texans and once saw a Robinson will be 33 when Etclieverry—that one of these days spectator break up a Dallas pass this season begins. Obviously safe- your passes won't go long and Boston. play in ties do not have the longevity in hard, they'll start to fade and fall, pro football of a so and I'll remind you that running went into business for himself, which from league to league will not pay °K." Robinson recent:y of his New Orleans chef. Contrary to what the judge might have thought, brings its to the stony I can play a couple more years," Robinson Robin..on's decision to sign a second contract paid off well "I hope you reach a certain point in your career for himself and the Texans. said, "but when about the future. If I could play All manner of unusual things happened in the Texans' you've got to start thinking I don't think I'd ever do anything but play first camp, which was conducted in Roswell, N.M. There until I was 55 aren't any 40-year-old running backs or were awards for the neatest notebooks, players coming football, but there or safeties in the NFL. I hear complaints and going and mob scenes at the nearby Dairy Queen, defensive linemen say athletes are too business-oriented which became the players' most popular dining spot be- from people who you have to support yourself and your family cause the food in camp was so had, these days but they expect you to do?" That first year a spectator broke up a Dallas pass play so what the heck do solution was to purchase a recreational in Boston. Robinson's operations under the name of lohnny "We w5 re near the close of the game and we were facility and begin Swim and Tennis Club. He has a 10,000-square behind about four points," Robinson relater,. "We threw a Robinson's which contains dining facilities and a bar. long pass and made a tremendous catch on foot clubhouse adjacent to the clubhouse are two swim- about the 2 or 3-yard line. The crowd was moving in front On the wounds and two tennis courts. Robinson is also devel- the end zone and went back to pass with ming pools facilities. about 10 seconds left. Cotton threw the ball and some guy oping health club with Robinson m the underi tking—and from out of the stands wound up in the secondary and A partner chef--is Jimmy Moran a well known 'snoc ked the ball down. There was so much confusion that also his weekend restaurateur wno operates Diamond In one realized it until they saw the films. I was involved New Orleans serves New Orleans-style food on Fri- 'le play because I was playing offense but I didn't real- Moran's. Robinson what was happening." day and Saturday nights. -type club,- Robinson said "Fortu• The most drarn,,,, period of Robinson's career came "This is a family experience in the swimming, tennis time of the Chies. Super with the Vikings. nately I've had some our operation. The restaurant part in was injured in the Chiefs' AFL championship and health club end of if I'll ever become an expert ih Oakland. He collided with an official and gif- is new to me I don't know you. I can't even keep up with the t rib cartilages. There was only a week between chef. 'Lo be honest with drinks going. championship game and the Super Bowl and it bartenders when they've got 15 every Thursday and Icily es on that there was no chance that Robinson would "limmy flies in here five or six c bets in New play. Sunday. If he r ant come he has I know a lot more about 'insert, however, was not willing to concede the Orleans and he sends one of them. can't cook tor 1(0 peo- hen the Chiefs arrived in New Orleans he con- cooking than I care to admit but I ball game. A lot of people thoracic surgeon, Dr. Charles Pierce, a former ple. That's entirely a different be pretty good doing it ivise career was ended by a knee injury. Dr. Pierce think they can cook and they may really got to be an artist • by injecting the rib area with pain killers it might for eight or 10 couples hut you've ,Continue on pay* 68) it JOHNNY ROBINSON: THE CANDY MAN , . , • : •• ,• • at people. Robinson, Kansas City's sticky-fin- • 1 (an keep track a the ceders kitchen in the gered Candy Man, regularly led the limmy is a pro at o,hat he does. He's the all-pro in our AR and last 'rear the AFC in intercep- operation. There s on ire or a chance of hint becoming an tions per season. all-pro safety than there n or me becoming ;:n all-pro took. He is now in second many athletes have ow under recently in business place behind Dick LeBeau of the ventures but Robinson eYpet IS to be able to avoid some or Detroit Lions in career interceptions the pitfalls suffered by others. among active players. "I think a lot ot athletes have made the mistake or thinking their names will carry them in business:. Robin- son says. "I know that's not going to work. We own our place and operate it I'm here 70 per cent of the time. I The most impottant otten,t‘e ..hange Robinson noted made all-pro by playing and if you're going to succeed in last `a'asOrl SS as rile fl.11(1C111.S 01 some teams 10 go with four this business you have to work at it lust zi hard. receivers. It I go to a restaurant where I know the owner I "In some situations teams will put OW a tight end, a want to be able to see him and talk with him. I don't ex- halfback and a tullbarl, to give themselves four wide re- pect hint to stay with ine eyery minute that I'm there hut I ceivers. I think the tendency is going to be in the direction know that if something goes vv rung he'll take care of it. or inore unusual formations, especially in third-down situ- When people come to my place they cxpect me to be here. ations. tell the people who vvork for us that there are no "This is going to put a lot more heat on secondaries prima donnas in our busine If there is a prima donna I think the safest thing to do is stay in a zone with four around it will be me I come in about if rectos k every short areas and thre.e deep areas. Regardless oi whether morning, go home for a while in the afternoon and come they run piay action or from many receivers they send out back at night. It's a demanding business but it's no more this is a sate dc-tense, demanding than coachitig. I'm cure Flank 'Strain) is in his ''5% hat Mese c hilts are trying to do with these multi- of tic. until 10 o'clock every night during the season." ple formations is get you out ot the zone and into a man- .',Ithough Robinson ha:. been concentrating on his tor-man where they san isolate eve ,body on the field. I restaurant business this summer his thoughts are never far think clubs are getting smarter defensively and they are away from football and he has some interesting observa- going 10 stay pomarily with the zone because they can't tions on the evolution of oass &tenses and offenses. handle those multiple tormations on a man-for-man trsis." "The biggest change I've re -n in recent years is the Robinson says Mat the use of a fourth receiver works trend to more zone detenses,- Rot inson says. "I think this to the disadvantage ot teams that use a free safety. has come about because of the lai te number of great re- "When you send out an extra receiver Me rmly other ceivers in pro football today. Wheo I first came into pro left to cover is the free safety and in effect fooi'oall every club probably had ons good receiver. Now he becomes a cornerback," Robinson explains. "That each club probably has three plus they are utilizing a half- leaves the middle ot the field open and everybody run- back quite a bit in pass patterns. They are also using more ning for then lives back there because there's no help multiple formations such as the slot, triple wings and anywhere on the field. There's not much you can do about double wings. 1 huse formatives make it dif mutt tor you this except play the zone. to play a man-tor-man detente, you have tour or hve men "What the clubs are trying to do is isolate you man- who are vulnerable on pass patterns all thn time. As a for-man. Maybe they won't tell you this, but Ed bet 90 per result more clubs are going to zone. cent ot the prefer to throw against a man-for- "I don', think the zone is effective unless you play man defense rather than a zone. We caught quite a bit of some man-for-man and blitz occasionally but today I the formations with an extra receiver last season but we think the zone is the primary defense of 80 per cent at were extremely well prepared for unusual offenses. Some- your teams. times we would take out a and replace him "The Chiefs are abiort 00 •ri.‘i• cent 1,4in-for-man and with a cornerback who would take the extra . 40 per cent zone, but this has happened only in the last That any I would still be free and consequentl: we didn't couple ot years sini e vse got II I11 Marsallis We have two get burned very much. You have to be extremely alert and exceptional cornerbacks, an outsianding strong safety dim your coach has to be watching the sidelines because if they Kearneyi and ,?xceptional linebackers. We wouldn't be make a change you have to change along with them. able to play as much man-for-man as we do if we didn't 'The use ot multiple formations is the biggest change have this type of personnel. And even with our man-for- l'ee seen in offenses, although I can't impress on you the •nan we're a little unusual in that they keep me free in the change in receivers from 10 years ago until now. Lance middle. We very seldom double cover which gives me the Alworth used to be the big receiver at San Diego. He didn't •reed•qh to help all of my linebackers. cornerbacks and my have :My Garrisons or Fraziers playing with him. You could • ree safety al a large area oi the held. double «wer him and have a chance of stopping him. -A lot of clubs utilize their Pee safety to pick up -Now I don't care which club in football you play, iatithic ks when they are in mandor.man i overage. Cense- they've all got three capable receivers. Some of them have tuentfy that opens up a whole area of the held. I hover four or five. This changer the complexion of the game, If iround the center of the field hoping to cover Iroin hash you've got equal threa:s on either side it's hard to double nark to hash mark. Our cornerbacks do such a great lob of cover one, repecialb if they have a good tight end to go overage that we can afford to play this defense. We're also along with the other riceivers.' dossed with big linebackers who have the ability to run so One of Rohnson's robs as a free • atety is to direct ad- we can get by with things that other clubs can't." justments in the Chief, detense.

68 PRO QllAltTIROACK "The biggest orange I've seen 'n recent years ia the trend to more zone defenses. I think this has cOme about be- cause of the la,•ge number o great receivers in pro football today.-

"It we J t Cant using motion the big thing is to hurry his throws. It was one of the levy g. me, vs e played notify everybody what the Lffmation is," Robinson said. almost entirely man-for-man. We played io much man- "Must clubs meter to run sweeps from a split backfield. If for-man that they used tour receivers on us. We made your linemen are down in a stance and watching their op- adjustments and I think our adjustments probably con- ponent's hand or helmet or whatever their key is, they fused Unitas as much as anything else." can't see what is happening. If I don't WI theta they have Robinson has never used a safety blitz although at no way of knowing. times he has had a yearning to try it. "I did try it cite time in practice,- Robinson laughs, "1 VV‘I playing in a game once where the other team ''and got about eight stitches in inv mouth. Aler that we was sending a back in motion. We had a little confusion. took it out. I would like to use .I.c ;atety blitz myself and One of the linemen came up while we were talking about have more leeway as to where I go but Hank has put in a the man in motion. He almost went berserk because he had defense with a tree safety and he wants me at a certain never seen the man in motion and didn't know what we place to protect a certain area. He feels that if the opposi- `AVIV talking about. When J iziy goes in motion v-ou have tion can't throw there we can prevent the easy to be constantly calling, 'Moticm, motion, motion,' to give and have a more effective defense. SO far ho has been your linemen a key.- right. Hank is not a gambling defensive coach." Robinsiin attracted a great amount in national atten- Professional football's all-time leading interceptor is tion last season when he intercep -:.c1 three passes against who picked ott 9 passes in 14 seasons. No. Baltimore in a nationally fetes, sert Monday night Game of 2 on the list is Dick (Night Train, lane with h8 in 14 seasons. the Week. I-spirally. Robinson disclaims any unusual Tunnell's re:ord probably is out of Robinson's reach but amount of credit or his performance. he could overhaul Lane it he plays two of three more sea- "Our line rinh was probably the best we had all year sons. limmy Moran may he all-pro ir the kitchen 'out and that made a big difference." Robinson said. '•We were Robinson is Hall of Fame material in the defensive sec- overpowering Baltimore's line and Unitas was having to ondary.

PRO QUARTERBACK 69 (11TILOG 7(

Johnny Robinson

to get it. It all builds tip to that one I n the second week the Kansas( itt was the fall guy. It was all one way. fair. So joh split second and it's usually .just a Chiet. isited one of the nest teams and I don't think it was qi.le,11011 sit inches. If you miss. if you in their block. the Baltimore ohs. in football is more important or more man scores. it's a '... one of three teams to difficult than defensite hack. And get heat and you; long way hack to the bench. I hat's mottionr the old NV!. to the AFC. that's wht I'm glad to see some of when a .1,:lensiv e coach could tv reek and although the( ohs etentually these guys standing t.p to say. A're a man. If the eiiiich hollered at the fought their A:O. to the top. in this are the ones.•" man he C011Ill ruin hint right there eaily game the( hiefs wet:timed them -1/1 position, on football regain' a S iris's lull /ri'r are k/10n sir ith a crushing lack of hospitalot. ii dral from a laolhail . luillcrer, Its. ysrii 11111'1' till 1 pi,ibleth 1 he final sore was 44-24 :mil one hal is 55 p. s in/ ethos,/ the ; rohhons with proplc III, that tit k of the main leasons was the play of th, shdrasog " o:;. :s.as Roils is an Johnny Robinson. the Kansas City I Ile 111:1J01 dilrercrux between its outstanding defensive coach and he lice safety. who managed to attract and et ert hodt else is handling the has just the right attitude. the way he three Baltimore passes and also a pressure. Of course. I'm not talking looks at it. he has his best plat ers Itimhle that he ran to a touchdo»n. so much about no position. free 011 the field. I thet get Keat, that's Robinson is one of the permanent stilet . a's mote those cornerbacks. football. On stint., teams, the-. che, 111.Pros. He intercepted a total of ten I de out there is perpetual fear. Ft ery you out, hut etiacl Bettis Ile .er passes in 1970. giving him eighteen in play. es e, snap of the hall, c-in lead anyone. e cept for riental the past two seasons, and prot ided the to disaster It's not like that for criticizes errors. He has the same abilittis mortar in one of the most impressit e other players on the field. They can coach Stram to forget last week and secondaries in football. usually afford to make mistakes. A lineman can miss a block and that just go on." sou've been around a how John, just makes it second and ten. 1lot he loll Weill iii he prom semitit Moir more /MN S111101'. MI, 11111e a runner tumbles the hall, hut iihtslif respir 1,0.1ith,h. "ill r/Orcd lip St husk you ultra somehodv on his team can rev:utter. or ) ere t5 itsir half bliCA ar 1.5$ . ru tall, ahout:' r,, his defens.• can sat e hint. But out at Do V4 011 think it in ii /OM/ hate.- "I sure cornerback, the pressure is on you 1,0‘,. h cr us lilt. th'Icliril Go rivist ahead. every play and even a small mistake hat en't had a Ve hole lot to say It "I can be six paints, a touchdown. right 'I don't know \lathe C war. in my career. hut I'll tell you. I'm glad in 19(12. now. -I here is no nest pliy. teams happened in int thud t ear. see some of these younger it as a to throw the ball so much now there ate -Sr the time I didn't yrest detensite hacks standing up and a prsi' sometime four or lit e touchdown demotion or any thing. Ii via. talking out. Seems to me like I could passes a game..1rd after every one. nrotton I was going where defensi% e hacks got a hum deal for a -, I'll guarantee yoil. some man out there help the team. Hid. you kno n. long time. I hey weren't appreciated hate the is feeling mighty. mighty low." defens,se hack just doesn't lii w hat they did. Football is a of It would .Vet'Itt Mr fillIr 01/ glamour. Nou go to one these passing game. and that means that you say.'Oka/. underytand the .ioh of the lel clinics for kids and there is nothing moi.• importimt 11 u - I ho wants to play betler hey lee Ale /MOO Mattlel es ery hod y stopping the pass. But most people hack on the left mid et ery- liii ielevision and they vet to watch defensit e didn't see it that ss a If a defensit pass prOiellisIll 011 iirrtssmri rerhii. hotly who stints to play quarterback hack did his joh, he wasn't noticed. on the think it is improving now, and sin the right.' Nou'll get one kid hut if somebodt scored im him. he It's that feels good. Pro fan, are pretty left and ninett -nine on the right. - sophisticated. But really. there's only a fact of life. sin s man who absolutely must Hai/ vial s'l Nat i'd ail, cis 75 Pi 5- understand the situation.- bcfs,l's' 14'rul..1 thaf! he delensit e coach. His hardest job is to keep his second .try men ealin and confideat, ant hers dealing with athletes w no get shell shocked. I here is no more emotional moinent in football than %%hen that ball is in the air and you are ia.:ing your man -I really keep up on I.S1 football. -I'm not a coach. 1111 a planer. People I think enert Rods does vim met. vent are always calling toe a coech fin the there. I.S1 football is a ,p•eial case.- field hut that's nonsense.-

-1)11. se, When I Na, .11 I 11. ie Noll ;here football is a special vere .init playing one plat, on ‘Ac case. 'the campus is vern footholl all vent both ott conscious. hut more than that. our 8,, VOW!: dOCIISC plot team is the focus for the v hole slate hasn't that hard. of I ouisiana. We're not like sornz I he shock I had eo rime nth, schools. N here a hit sit athletes come the pros vas pi.i tog befoie from out of state. At i St. if there small crovds. I he NI I :ins I vele ;ire sesentN football players. "Out- tookies together and sonic of those line are bons. We 'ire the games ve only drink 10.000 or 120011 pride of the state. lhe family ..,nd people. I hat's not host it was hack at friend, of different glut s air Morays I coming dovn. all the home folks. at it 1.11 ii 1111,10111 hr beate o creat sometimes the team vill go to visit. foOtball sr/ I. 11 ht it it it fib, it like 10 a hot 's home, and th, hole 'gay there. Fool, (an! Mtn n still turn out. 1 het treat as art, oat 1111. nation's heatitifullt. especiallt dovn in South 'We did dran some attention. S'ne alitabcr one team in to514. I ciuisiana. INist n there, the fishermen IA ere an interesting couple. My wife 'Srlo.ils II us as loud. We V:\ er gite us fish and crabs and ve get is a forn.". %I.., Nett icrsev. and she planed foi ant thing les, than a together Si ith the people stalle.rhile vas a campus beauty queen. the packed how,: and those I.SL. fans - .ind cook it. It all makes for a special thing is. she was a music major. She It e had a lot of writers tell me that feeling and the team gets ver) close. had her ovn interests and friznds- I iger Stadium is the hardest place for A strange thing happened my year. a different tmve of atmosphere. I voting leant to phi'. ant It here. 100. because thirty-three of us all think we dress attention because use Just being on the field there is itt graduated at once. 1 he year before vere so far apart. Most musically enperience. Paul Diet/el vas out- only tvo team members gradtiated. oriented people don't dig football coach. and he used to Mite us vait hut no year there were thirin •three plasers. and the idea sort of until the other team was out on he of us vho had played together from fascinated people," field. I hen ve'd come running 'itt and the freshman year on. and %son the lou ate eleven years from LSU the place vould go up in this national championship our Junior and You went through the lean enormous. nil:meting roar. I dint year. We vere really tight. - times with the AFL. JEW a year alto, think some of those tennis et et- It matt have hi-en a happy and the t hacti were the reigning team ,"-overed from the shock. ourilAr environment. People Rho Were in PrOlesyionalfitothall. HOW would 11,./ the titter, still do that' there at the time say that there Wa., you compare your current situation No. Diet/el put an end to th..1 One C014Ple fa 1St! then: with the one in ridiege:' himself. He vent to South :militia thloon. 12ohitiSiM and his -I think that now I'M hack in a to coach and vs hen he brought his toss n I hat's similar to 1.Si Kansas lealTI lIONn to plat I SI,. he told them ( it', is a town full of aggressive, he nasn't 4;onling out unless both spirited Chief supporter,. Were had teams vent out simultancou"It nothing hut full houses Mr several Nov. all the trams do it... sears, and there's little difference in lion do 14,11 1111111,111 le, All,. (hill enthusiasm. I here is one difference 'I realty keep up on 1 •st lootItal. 1•%e noticed, bosses cr. I think the pro I think every boot) doe, Nho es et ran is a little more technical4 sophisticated!' "the offense r, always trying to get me out of position, hut unless it's part of a special defense. I won't ever go."

What makes .ias that? Slarsalis. but they are out there alone the kind of questions I get and they need all the help they asked. Back at school, they just want can get." to know did you win or lose. But It's especially rung', on diem now peop/.. ask me about key plays. because Kansas City plays a lot stf turm.ve:.s. types of coverage. They man-far-man. What can you do to are more knowledgeable." help them out? It • • ,,ms logC.al that they would "I try to make sure that they have ask .s.Four, been an All-Pro .so only one third of the field to worry long that .vou are probably a coach about. I play in the middle from sin the fiels: by now. hashmark to hashmark, and if a "Say. now that's not true I'm not receiv a slants in there he is my a coach. I'm a player. People are responsibility. The cornerbacks can always calling me a coach on the always count on help to their inside." field, hut that's nonsense. We have Vs that solve the problem? an outstanding coaching staff here '% wish it did. Sometimes the and they break down the films and receoiers fly straight down the side- give us the plans. execute. Of lines and I can't get over to help out. course when the game is going on. And Johnny Robinson has been I have a good view of the V. hole neaten in thc cm, .ini then." defense from my po,ition at free safety'. and I have some experience. so we talk things over on the sidelines Hu! I don't know where this coach-on-the-field idea comes from. I don't want any credit I don't deserve. I'm a free safety." You do have II good iieci back there, don't you? it seems .1'014 are playing the deep middle sin ahnost every, lay. 111Lt's our plan. I never leave the center." What if the other team uses a Punk receiver, like in a double wing? "We bring in another defensive Then it isn't just this orrierhat-A hack, or use a linebacker to cover. who feels the heat. When the 1 he offense is always trying to get receivers come into your area, they me out of my position. hut unless it's bring the pressure with them. How part of a special defense. I won't ever da you thud. you handle it? go." "Pretty well, hut reall! it gets to What is your assignment? all of us. I think if you took a survey "First. I have to watch the line- you'd find that all defensive hacks are backers and make site that they light sleepers." don't get trapped into a foot race deep with some fast halfback. If they do. I help out. Otherwise, my main goal is to try to take some of that pressure we were talking about off of the cornerbacks. We have good ones. Fmmitt Tho,mis and Jim

25 The Chiefs' Former All-Pro He!ps Wayward Boys By Carlton Stowers Photographs by Rob Scribner

1.c hamburger, which money bi- haircuts and an- game that was scheduled later a day that begins at 6 in the T and ends near mid- had been prepared for other had stopped in to pre- in the afternocm. And a bas- morning o in an hour earlier. sent hini with a Father's Day ketball game was about to get night. On this particular Sat- on the edge of his card. There was some problem underway in the backyard. urday. he was beini pulled in Dice desk, cold and un- with repair work being done Did he want to play? a dozen different ire,tions, touched There had been an on a second-hand bicycle and It was, or all practical pur- the focus of attention from sir- endless series of phone calls some adu expertise was had- poses, a typical lunch hour :flatly eser) one ot the 14 to interrupt him and i myriad Is needed. Another boy came for Johnny Robirbon. youngsters who reside at his of minor problems that need- to plead his case for no longer For the former Kansas City Johnny Robinson Youth bionic ed his abention. being grounded and for per- Chiefs all-pro defensive back. in NIonroe. Latli•lana Two youngsters needed mission to attend a softball there are not enough hours in Light years remoci-fd from the days when lie starred in the LSU backfield with Ileis- mail Trophy wittier Billy Can- non, experienced the joys of natioital championship. and later tasted Super Howl suc- cess with the Chiefs. Robin- son is carry ing on a battle to- day he judges far mime de- manding than any he ever ex- perienced as an athlete. An ordained minister in the World Ministry Fellowship. be no longer labors from the pulpit. Instead, he wol k., with troubled youngster% in the shelter of an 't(l-year-old mansion that sits On a pic- turesque two-acre plot in the older section of Monroe. (here, he makes a home for is9 to I-lw ho hate had dif- ficulties with the law and pre- VIOLIN home lives. His -child- len,- who all refer to him as "Dad," cull took hack on ar- rests for theft and drug viola- tions. They have been abused. mentall., and physically. They have experienced fright- ening difficulties in school. Almost without exception they are kids whose lives were going nowhere in a gal- loping hurry'. Until they met Johnny Robinson. Yet. lew are impressed by the souvenirs from football days that hang in Robinson's office. "These kids don't care in the /east that I played pro ball," he says. "In fact. III were to tell them someone like or was coming here to speak to them, they weuldn't have the slightest idea who I was talking about. Generally,

Few of the kids in Robinson's "family" cure that he's a former pro foot- .11 star; to them, he's just "Dad."

ill ,Alm had been in trouble all his life, ss hip had been abused by the other kids in the pri- aim. and N110 related exper- iences I simply couldn't ima- gine any ten-year-old liaising gone through. I thought about the tremendous avars that were going to be left on his life. As I drove back to tiown. I decided I was going to see what I could do to help him and others like him." As he drove, he passed the stately old two-story home that sat on a lot occupying an entire block of South Grand A Time. A "For Sale" sign was posted in front. Here, he felt, was an idea/ °vie for a home in which youngsters the kids we get here haven't time, you understand, but I such aa the one he'd just met had the benefit of the lessons inson and went. I got involved; I saw might begin to rebuild their that sports can provide. his wife Cathy do that my life had needs that lives. They 're just not interested. it all...from fix- only the church could fill. It Robinson discussed the They 'se been too busy trying ing bicycles to really changed my life " idea with his new wife Cathy, to survive." sorting socks it changed to a point where, carefully explaining his ant/- For those former team- to providing even while coaching at North- not-fully-developed idea for a mates who have lost touch love and east Louisiana, he began serv- youth hlme in which children with Johnny Robinson, no understanding. ing as a voluntary chaplain would grow up in a family at- doubt it is difficult to pictare r for the Monroe Police Depart- mosphere. "We had only the 15-year-old former NFL was a divorce, business fail- ment, ministering to inmates. been married for a short standout in his present role. ures, and then a crippling Then he became the associate while," he says, "and what I During his 12 years with the siege with rheumatoid arthri- pastor for a small Baptist was asking was something Chiefs, he enjoyed the reputa- tis of the spine. As his phys;- church on the west side of that would require a big com- tion of a man who hoed life cal condition worsened to a town. mitment on her part. There to thi, fullest, burning the can- point where he was forced to There are many who as- was no waa. I was going to be dle at both ends and loving walk with a cane and no long- Jille Robinson's enthusiastic able to do it without her help. every minute of it. When prac- er could get around well en- retina to the church was a re- Fortunately, she embraced the tice Was over, he hurried to ough to attend to his dutie-, as sult of his sudden recovery idea immediately." the welcome respite provided a football coach. Robinson from the three-year bout with In time, the purchase of by main nightlife and the chal- seemed well on his way lobe- what had been diagnosed as the house was completed. lenges of business-world suc- coining one of pro football's an incurable arthritic condi- The Robinsons moved in, cess Johnny Robinson. a tragic stories. tion. "I can't help but believe bought second-hand beds, product of Baton Rouge, Such, he insists, never was I had a divine healing," he had some extra bathrooms ad- loved the good life, and he the case. A new faith, born says, "because I simply woke ded, and prepared for the pursued it in the same manner during his tenure in Jackson- up one day with no pain. And new challenge. Impatient. Ro- he chased wide receivers on ville, caw him through the :ri- I've never had any since. But binson went to a local judge Sunday. afternoons. sis period of his life. my life has been touched in a and had the 10-year-old re- Even when his playing number of other ways as well leased to him even before days %sere over, he held to he son of a Baptist No one miracle has brought the Johnny Robinson Youth the game that had earned him deacon, Robinson me to where lam today." Home officially opened. fame and fortune. he ,erved grew up in a stfong It was his work as ajail min- That was in 1979, several briefly a, an assistant coach TChristian environ- ister that first brought the hard-time years ago. for the Jacksonville franchise ment, but he had maintaineO plight of many local children in the %lion-lived Wortd Foot- a youthful rebellion against to his attention. "At the start," Robinsol, ball Laague, scoutcd for the formaiities of religion. "I got a call one day from says, "1 was very idealistic Hank Steam until Stram was Once away from home, he a teacher who asked mc to about the whole thing. I fired is head coach of the quickly drifted from the church. atmt a ten-year•old delinquent thoupt I could run the home Chiefs, then took an asst - "But," he say-.. "while I who had been arrested on sev- on pnvate donations and thc tint's job at Intl: Northeast was in Jacksonville, a lady eral occasions and had been whole thing would be a lot Louisiana in Monroe. who ran a small bookstore recently returned to the state Ids: a old Bing Crosby mov- All the bile. Robinson there asked me to go to erturch prison system. When I went ie People vs ould tiring home- was experiencing personai dd. with her. I wasn't looking for out to see him, I found a less kids to us, we'd lose ficulties of his own. 1 her: any kind of crutch at the tough, but !cared, little boy them and Care for them, and

13C everythir% would be great." inure diflicult to aitord the new lawnmower." he says. be their I. chance, so they're Clearly, he did not antici- second-hand bicycles that he "But I have a hard time ask- going to get as much as they pate the financial hardships traditionally gave to each ing for outright financial dona- can. It's Just not something that uon would follow. As new resident upon his arrival, tions." they're used to at first.'' the population of the Johnny or to come up with the five- Without his asking, how- Robinson Youth Home grew, dollar bill he awarded for ever, the LSU athletic alumni or are they used to so did the money problems. each report card "A" that association has responded to the love and con- At one point, he was breed was brought home. his need, providing considera- cern that pours to sell the family car in order Robinson quickly admits ble financial help, particular- from "Mom ' and to make the monthly mort- that he is less than polished as ly in the struggling early days "Dad" Robinson. Cathy de- gage paynicnt on the house. a fund-raiser. He refuses, for of the home's existence. vised a color-coded clothes "It got to a point," he says instance, to accept fees for Some of his Kansas City hamper system to enable each with a laugh, "where the speaking engagements at a teammates have lent a hand. youngster to keep track of his only transportation I had was time when many of today's re- "I went back to Kansas City own clothes on wash day a riding lawnmover. I drove ligious leaders and Christian for a reunion a few years (which is every day; three it to and from the grocery athletes command SI,500 ago," Robinson says, "and washer-dryers has.: gone by store to buy food." But, with fees for their public testimony. stayed with 'defensive tackle) the wayside so far). She also food bills that ran S3,000 a "Oh. I'm not hesitant to Ed Lothamer. He asked what supervises the cooking. month and utilities costing talk to th• Jaycees or some- we needed at the home and I -The only problem I've S1,0(1), Robinson wus strug- one and ask if they can help told him I was looking for a had with the entire thing," gling. It became more and us with a few bicycles or a good used van to carry the Cathy says. "is trying to fig- kids to toe lake and places ure where in the world all the like that in. After I get back missing socks go. I've t;ot a to Monroe. I got a call from a huge plastic bag filled with dealer in town who said Ed socks that have no mates. had called and arranged to I've told Johnny on a number buy one for us. And Lenny of occasior.s that never Dawson has helped out.'' consider th.s operation a coin. The major struggles now plete success until I find are history for the five-year- where all those other socks old operation. Nov. licensed have gone to." by the State of Louisiana. it Others, however. are ready receives state funding. along to judge the Johnny Robinson with private donations, which Youth Home a roaring %Lk:- last year amounted to 523.000. cess. Youngsters who have This is not to say, however, come under Robinson's super- that the Robinson operation is vision have shown niarked im- on Easy Street. It is necessary provement --educationally, to purchase food wholesale socially, and phy s:cally. to remain within the strict bud- "Si, he says.''west get Robinson has set. And had about tort) kids here at the number of residents has one time or another. We've Justin Cross and his latest passion. grown from 2 to 14 over the had some failures, but we've years. Today. Johnny and had some successes, too Full Leisure Card Cathy have the help of a part- "For me. it has been the time tutor, a social worker. most rewarding experience of If you would ask offensive tack- and three college-age young- my life, tar more so than na- le Justin Cross what he does with his spare sters all ot whom assist with tional championships or Su- time, you'd better settle into a comfortable the running of the home. per Bowls. I guess in a choir The answer may take awhile. way it's like praying the Super The Canadian-born Cross receiv2d his or the 40 or more Bowl every day... only with pilot's license during the offseason. He's •Joung iers who have lives at stake instead olso attempting to work out schedule of a a that spent time there, how- ring." would allow him to attend medical school ever. very little has With that after the football season F he turned to deal is over. Cross hos cnanged On a table in Robin- with another problem. wt.. ked .n the cancer res....arch A lab at the Buf- son's office sits the satin fruit youngster falo Medical Foundation. was suggesting bowl that greeted the first res- that cheating was going He's also become adept at the rather chol- on in idents, filled with apples, the game outside longing "sport" of hot-dog skiing. In fact, oranges, and bananas. "I tell Johnny Robinson smiled, Cross originally enrolled at Western State the boys they can eat all they rose, and said he was going College in Colorodo because of its skiing pro- want," he says. "It's fun- to come play —and there had gram. But at 6 feet 6 inches and 265 pounds, ny to watch the newer kids. better be no rules vio:ations he wens tough for the football coach to miss. They'll come in and eat a half while he was on the court doren bananas at one sitting The hamburge• •C111:1111,..1 It', like they're afraid it might ori his desk, ontouched w