April 04, 2007

A giant passes.

Ex-Grambling coach Eddie Robinson dies

RUSTON, La. (AP) — Eddie Robinson, who sent more than 200 players to the NFL and won 408 games during a 57-year career, has died.

He was 88.

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. [...]

In his 57 years in football, Robinson set the standard for victories with a 408-165-15 record. John Gagliardi of St. John's, Minn., passed Robinson in 2003 and has 443 wins.

Robinson's teams had only eight losing seasons and won 17 Southwestern Athletic Conference titles and nine national black college championships.

He sent more than 200 players to the NFL, including seven first-round draft choices. [...]

He was a tremendous coach and always seemed like a gentleman.

His bio from the College Football Hall of Fame can be found here, and an article from the SWAC can be found here.

Posted by Terry Oglesby at April 4, 2007 09:37 AM
Comments

I had the pleasure of serving him several times, what a great person. Good tipper too, *g*.

Posted by: Chef Tony at April 4, 2007 03:33 PM