With Robinson, "No Aspect of Your Life . . . Went Unattended"

Former player, colleague remembers the late Eddie Robinson as more than a coach

By Darrick Ignasiak, Black College Wire

April 6, 2007 - For the Fobbs family, Eddie Robinson was more than a coach.

Robinson, who coached at Grambling State for 57 seasons, died April 3. He lost his battle with Alzheimer's disease at age 88. His funeral is set for April 11.

Eddie G. Robinson was honored by Grambling State University in 2002.

He took the time to be there for his players, critiquing every aspect of their lives. Robinson had an emotional farewell in 1997 when he ended his coaching career at second all-time among all divisions of college football with 408 victories.

"It hurt," said Broderick Fobbs of Robinson's death. "He was like a dad to us."

Fobbs was a running back at Grambling State from 1992 to 1996 and now is the offensive coordinator at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La.

"You kind of have mixed feelings," Fobbs said. "You miss him, but you don't want to see him in pain. I am thankful to have memories."

Robinson was also like a father to North Carolina A&T coach Lee Fobbs, father of Broderick. The Grambling legend was also a role model to Hampton coach Joe Taylor. The list goes on for people who came in contact with Robinson.

"My last memory was not necessarily as a player," Broderick Fobbs said. "I was there for his last game. I was there for his ceremony after the game. He cried afterwards. So many emotions came up there."

Lee Fobbs cherished his time with Robinson. Most of his former players didn't have the opportunity to spend time with him because of his condition.

"It was one of those quiet times," said Lee Fobbs, describing his last memory of Robinson. "We talked about things, about the past. It was always a good time talking to Coach."

Lee Fobbs — a running back at Grambling State from 1968 to 1973 — played for Robinson. He also served as an assistant under him at Grambling State. Robinson even went out of his way at dinner to teach Fobbs the correct utensils to use.

"I couldn't wait to be with him," Lee Fobbs said. "It's almost like a kid in the candy store."

A little over two decades later, things were the same with Broderick Fobbs in his experience at Grambling.

"He actually helped put us on the map," Broderick Fobbs said of Robinson's impact on historically black colleges and universities. "He was the pioneer for it all. It was more than winning football games. He taught us about putting on a tie, dating, everything. There was no aspect of your life that went unattended."

Robinson had the personal touch as a recruiter. He used that method to recruit Lee Fobbs. Robinson talked with Lee Fobbs' mother and sealed the deal with her. Lee Fobbs was heading to Grambling State whether he liked it or not.

"He spent most of the time with my mom," Lee Fobbs said. "My mom told me I was going to Grambling. If you've never been around him, once you leave him, you'll love him. He was a great friend."

It was at an early age when Broderick Fobbs started to ask his dad about his career. He had heard that his father had an outstanding college career. Lee Fobbs was known around the house as being humble, especially not talking about his career on the football field.

As a result of question after question to his dad, the young boy found out about Robinson. So when it was time to go to college, Broderick Fobbs opted for Grambling State.

"I was recruited by him," Broderick Fobbs said. "It was impossible for me to go anywhere else. I have always been surrounded by positive people. . . . What more positive can you get than Eddie Robinson?"

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Darrick Ignasiak, a student at North Carolina A&T State University, is sports editor of the A&T Register.