Grambling State Legendary Coach Eddie Robinson Dies at 88

Eddie Robinson coached at Grambling State University for 57 years. Robinson finished with a record of 408-165-15 as well as sending more than 200 players to the NFL. More importantly he impacted the color barrier for the black athlete in ways many civil rights leaders could not. Eddie Robinson was a ground breaker and an institution. His coaching of football and life affected so many. God bless and rest in peace.

Super Bowl MVP quarterback Doug Williams, one of Robinson’s former players, said the former Grambling State University coach died about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. Robinson had been admitted to Lincoln General Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

Robinson had been suffering from Alzheimer’s, which was diagnosed shortly after he was forced to retire following the 1997 season, in which he won only three games. His health had been declining for years, and he had been in and out of a nursing home during the last year. (Houston Chronicle)

Grambling’s Eddie Robinson dies. Winningest football coach in Division I was 88

Robinson logged 408 victories at Grambling between 1941-97. He also produced 45 winning seasons; won nine National Black College championships and 17 Southwestern Athletic Conference titles; coached four college football Hall of Famers (Buck Buchanan, Younger, Gary “Big Hands” Johnson and Doug Williams); and sent more than 200 players to the NFL, including four Pro Football Hall of Famers (Buchanan, Willie Davis, Willie Brown and Charlie Joiner).

“He ranks right up there with Bear Bryant and Amos Alonzo Stagg,” Joiner said. “It reminds me of one time when another person asked this one guy if Coach Rob was in a class by himself. He stood there and thought for a long time. I really can’t say, but it doesn’t take long to call the roll.”

Robinson’s greatest influence, many former players said, was outside of football. (Tallahassee Democrat)