Eagan, Minn.(April 24, 2019)–Former DE Brian Robison has announced his retirement from the NFL after signing a one-day contract on Wednesday, April 24, with the Minnesota Vikings in order to officially retire a member of the organization.
Robison, who is tied for ninth place in club history with 60.0 total sacks, ends his career having appeared in 173 career games, ranking third among all DEs in Vikings franchise history. The 11-year veteran was selected by Minnesota in the fourth round (102nd overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. Robison missed only three contests in 11 seasons, previously holding a streak of 73 consecutive regular season games from 2012 through 2017. He competed in seven postseason contests, starting three, and recorded 12 tackles (seven solo), one tackle for loss and three QB hits in his playoff career, according to league stats.
Throughout his tenure as a Viking, Robison has been a part of four NFC North Division Championship teams and played in two NFC Championship Games. In his last regular-season game, he grabbed his 60th and final career sack vs. Chicago (12/31/17). Robison set a career high for a season with 9.0 sacks in 2013 and scored his only career touchdown on a 61-yard return of a fumble forced by Jared Allen on a sack at Chicago (9/15/13). His eight passes defensed in 2012 are tied for the second-most by a Vikings defensive lineman behind Kevin Williams’ 10 in 2004. Robison was part of a Vikings defense that amassed 50 sacks in 2011 to tie for the NFL lead and the 2017 Vikings defense that ranked No. 1 league-wide in yards allowed, points allowed and opponent third-down percentage.
In addition to his on-field career, Robison solidified himself as a leader within the Minnesota and Texas communities with his philanthropic endeavors. Robison and his wife, Jayme, founded the Brian Robison Reel ‘Em In Foundation, formed to provide financial, emotional and physical support for those in need. Established in 2015, the foundation’s mission is to positively impact those in need through partnerships with existing organizations in local communities in Minnesota and Robison’s home state of Texas. Each year, the Foundation works to raise funds and awareness for a different charitable organization through two marquee fishing tournaments, one in Minnesota and one in Texas. The foundation will continue to research and evaluate organizations and groups on an annual basis that are identified as struggling and are in desperate need of help to enrich the lives of the affected individuals.
The Splendora, Texas, native was selected to the 2013USA TodayAll-Joe Team, honoring the unsung players in the NFL.Robison also received the Korey Stringer Good Guy Award in 2014, an honor given annually by members of the Twin Cities media.In his debut pro season, he was named to the 2007Pro Football WeeklyAll-Rookie Team. Robison played his collegiate career at the University of Texas where he helped the Longhorns win the 2005 National Championship with a Rose Bowl win over USC. A 2006 NCAA runner-up in shot put as a junior, Robison won Big 12 shot put titles in 2005 and 2006 and still holds the second-best shot put mark in school history with a 68-3.75 at the 2006 NCAA Midwest Regional. He also won a Big 12 discus title in 2006 and ranks seventh in UT history with his discus mark of 195-10.