Jerry Robinson

Jerry Dewayne Robinson (born December 18, 1956) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, earning All-American honors. Chosen in the first round of the 1979 NFL draft, he played professionally for the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Raiders of the NFL.

Early life Robinson was born in San Francisco, California. He attended Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa, California, where he played for the Cardinal Newman high school football team.

College career Robinson attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he played for the Bruins from 1975 to 1978. He was recruited as a tight end by Dick Vermeil, his future professional coach, who along with Jed Hughes converted him to linebacker. He was a three-time consensus first-team All-American (1976, 1977, 1978). Robinson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996. In 1999, Sports Illustrated included him on its All-Century Team for college football.

Professional career The Philadelphia Eagles selected Robinson in the first round (21st pick overall) in the 1979 NFL Draft, and he played for the Eagles from to . He was a member of the Eagles for Super Bowl XV, and was chosen for the Pro Bowl after the season. He finished his NFL career with the Los Angeles Raiders from to . In his thirteen NFL seasons, he played in 184 games, started 147 of them, and compiled twelve interceptions and fifteen fumble recoveries.