Adam Robinson apologizes, wants to be a Hawkeye
By BRYCE MILLER and ANDREW LOGUE — Register staff writers
Adam Robinson addresses the media with his mother Sally Robinson by his side as they talk about his dismissal from the Iowa Hawkeye football team Sunday afternoon at the Parrish law firm offices in Des Moines. (Justin Hayworth/The Des Moines Register)
Former Iowa running back Adam Robinson is returning to Iowa City after bypassing other football offers in order to take a shot at an uncertain future with the Hawkeyes.
“I’ve always wanted to be a Hawkeye,” Robinson said Sunday. “I have no wishes or desires to leave the Hawkeye team.
“So I just have to work hard this semester. Prove myself … and we’ll see where I’m at at the end of the semester.”
Robinson, Iowa’s leading rusher last season, spoke to media for the first time since being dismissed from the program Jan. 3 by coach Kirk Ferentz.
Des Moines attorney Alfredo Parrish, who assisted Robinson after a Dec. 27 charge for marijuana possession, arranged the meeting with Des Moines Register reporters, as well as WHO-TV and KCCI-TV, at the Parrish-Kruidenier law firm near downtown.
“I apologize to my family, former teammates, coaches, my friends, the Hawkeye nation and everyone who supported me,” Robinson said in a prepared statement.
“I know I have disappointed you, and let you down. For that, I am sorry.
“I promise to do better, and I hope you find it in your hearts to forgive me.”
Adam Robinson, pictured during this season's loss against Ohio State, led the Hawkeyes in rushing in 2010. (Rodney White/Des Moines Register file photo)
Conversations with Hawkeye coach Ferentz
Robinson said he hopes to follow the path of Hawkeye wrestler Montell Marion, who was recently reinstated to practice after an eight-month exile initially termed a “permanent suspension” that stemmed from an arrest for drunken driving.
“I read that in the paper (Marion’s return) and that’s what made me want to go ahead with this course of action,” Robinson said.
The former Des Moines Lincoln star said he was contacted by Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois, but has not signed a scholarship release from Iowa.
Instead, Robinson will begin drug counseling while in Iowa City and try to improve his academic standing.
“I hope my actions this semester will show I’ve changed, and I’m changing,” Robinson said. “I realize I’ve made some bad choices. Hopefully, with the progress I’m planning to make, it will re-open the door.”
Robinson, who said he was suspended from the Insight Bowl because of academic issues, indicated he felt he was a victim of bad timing — as well as poor judgment.
His marijuana citation came three weeks after Hawkeye receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos was arrested on drug charges, sparking concerns there could be a larger problem within the program.
“I can definitely understand from coach Ferentz’s point,” Robinson said. “He was taking a lot of heat for what was going on.
“He did give me a lot of opportunities and I just wasn’t able to abide by the rules.”
Johnson-Koulianos’ arrest fueled Internet speculation, including rumors he and Robinson were seen together at an Iowa City bar.
Hawkeye coaches called Robinson’s mother, Sally, to see if it was true.
“He was in Des Moines, at home,” said Sally Robinson, who attended the Sunday meeting. “I think there are too many variables that come into play, and we all have accountability as a society.
“I would hope that had it been a different time, Kirk would have looked at it a little different, but I certainly understand the stress he was under.”
Adam Robinson is pictured signing autographs during Des Moines Lincoln High School's homecoming game in October 2010. Robinson graduated from Lincoln. (Justin Hayworth/Des Moines Register file photo)
Does Iowa have drug problem? ‘Not at all’
Robinson said he has not failed a drug test at Iowa, or refused a test — but confirmed he used marijuana on several occasions.
He estimated he was tested three or four times in the past year, between the university, Big Ten and NCAA.
Robinson said his substance abuse issues are related to marijuana, rather than any other drugs. He was asked about the frequency he smoked marijuana.
“It wasn’t like every day, or even two or three times a week,” he said. “… It was probably more once in a while.”
Robinson was asked if there was a drug problem within the Iowa football program.
“Not at all,” he said. “The actions of a few people shouldn’t characterize the whole team, as a whole. The Iowa football team does not have a drug problem. Just because a few athletes who are high profile got in trouble, I think everybody likes to characterize the whole team and the whole organization as a whole.
“And that’s not necessarily fair.”
The 5-foot-9, 205-pound Robinson initially joined the Hawkeyes after receiving a scholarship offer from Northern Iowa.
He redshirted in 2008 and earned a starting spot during Iowa’s 11-2 run to the Orange Bowl in ’09. His 834 rushing yards was the most ever by an Iowa freshman.
Robinson’s two-season total of 1,775 yards ranks 13th on the school’s all-time career list.
“The past three years at Iowa have been some of the best years of my life,” Robinson said. “I’ve met a lot of great people, especially my teammates and the coaches at Iowa.
“I had such a good fit there.”
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ROBINSON SPEAKS …
Compiled by the Register’s Bryce Miller and Andrew Logue
Former Iowa football player and Des Moines Lincoln star Adam Robinson answered a range of questions Sunday about his life — on the field and off.
Some excerpts:
You’re attempting to return to Iowa. Why not try a fresh start somewhere else?
“I feel like that’s kinda quitting and giving up — and I’ve never been that type of person. I’d rather try to work through it this semester and see if the door opens for me to come back.”
Academics were an issue for you during the season. How are your grades?
“This past semester, they took a dive. That’s why this semester, I want to really attack my studies and get on top of it and totally turn this thing around.
“Show that I deserve to be at Iowa, I’m capable of being a good person, doing the right things, making the right choices — that’s the goal I want to accomplish.”
There was speculation about bad feelings between you and former Iowa running back Brandon Wegher
“Me and Brandon, we’re best friends. I heard so many rumors about me and him, and that we weren’t friends — and things like that. That wasn’t even the case. I talked to him just the other day. We were talking about him transferring to Oklahoma.”
Another rumor: Was there a fight between you and defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn in practice?
“Yeah, it happened. Fights happen all the time in practice, though. We talked the next day about it — so we’re fine.”
Did watching Iowa running back Marcus Coker excel in the Insight Bowl create mixed feelings for you?
“I was definitely sad — I obviously wasn’t there, didn’t get to play. But at the same time, I was happy to see the team doing well, and see Marcus doing well. I would say I was more happy, than I was feeling down. Because when I left the team, we had hit a losing streak.
“So to see them having success on the field, that brought some joy to me.”
Category: Iowa Hawkeyes Football
I think Robinson deserves another chance – as we all do in life. Of course, with failure…comes conditions. ARob would be subject to random drug test as well as required to improve his acedemic standards.
This is bigger than football, without a scholarship – there is no chance at advanced education…armed w/ a degree he has a better chance of positively impacting others throughout his life.
I don’t see Adam playing on Sundays….but I would like him to proudly denote “University of Iowa” graduate on his future resume.
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I am glad that Adam apologized. I always had the perception that he was a good guy. I don’t know that Coach Ferentz will let him back on the team, but I think we are a society that likes second chances if people admit their mistakes and are truly sorry, so I hope he gets that chance.
This whole thing could end up being a blessing for him if he gets himself clear of substance abuse, if that has been a problem for him, and if he gets back in school and buckles down and earns his degree.
Whether he gets to play at Iowa again, or if he goes somewhere else, he should be concerned about having two brain concussions in the same year–actually, within a month of each other. Once you have one, it becomes more of a risk.
In any case, thanks for the apology, Adam. I, for one, accept it as sincere and wish you all the best.
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Eloquently put, LettermanHawk. I totally agree with you.
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He did the right thing to apologize so he can move on with his life. That’s a lot more than I can say for that sneaky, buddy f’ing quitter Wegher. Good riddance to Wegher. But I would welcome Adam back.
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Good post, DaveHawk, I totally agree. It would be very nice to see Robinson get things straightened out, get back on track in the classroom, and receive another chance by Kirk, if it is not too late. Whether or not he plays for the Hawks, I hope the turns his life around and gets his degree.
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I would take ARob back in a heartbeat, a New York minute. Let him do the right things this semester and make sure he is sincere. I suspect he means what he says.
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He was the best and missed when not there. Let him rehab and give him another chance.
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Actions speak louder than words Adam, I’m proud that you came out and apologized. Do the crime you got to do the time, Hawkeyenation has your back, do us all proud, hold your head high.
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It is admirable he apologized. However, he should not be allowed to play for Iowa again. Playing college football is a privilege, not a right, and when adults take responsibility for their mistakes, sometimes privileges need to be taken away. Consider it a lesson learned, Adam. All the best with the coming semester and future endeavors.
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I generally tend to agree with you on this kind of stuff. I will say this however, it was a “victimless” crime basically. He wasn’t distributing it, wasn’t selling it. And it’s not like he was forcing innocent animals to rip each others throats out (C – Michael Vick) Arobs indiscretion is no where near what Vick pulled. And Vick is back in the NFL, which I completeley disagree with. (but that’s another arguement) Anyway, he sounds sincere…I would be maybe in this case at least for giving him a second chance.
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Possession of a small amount of marijuana is a misdemeanor, just as underage drinking is, but we tend to forgive underage drinking. Since he didn’t commit a felony, I don’t think the offense was great enough not to give him a second chance, 50309. Have you never gotten a second chance? Did you never do anything wrong, never break the law? Ever drive impaired and didn’t get caught? Unless you’re a saint, you’ve done something as bad or worse than he did. I think he should have to earn his way back onto the team, but not be banned forever.
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Adam Robinson “thank you” for all your running yardage and concussions acquired for pleasing your coaches and fans. I wish more emphasis was placed on the true drug on campus. Marijuana not alcohol. Drug counseling will be helpful! Hope to see you back on the team!!
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“I’ve always wanted to be a Hawkeye,” Robinson said Sunday. “I have no wishes or desires to leave the Hawkeye team.
The concussion must have been severe, he’s the only one in the state who doesn’t know Ferentz dismissed him from the team.
(Should have said you didn’t inhale!)
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Hilarious. Don’t quit your day job, Dane Cook.
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Oh, you again, Joe Jerk. I was hoping you had been deported. Your material still isn’t ready for the road but as usual, you found something unkind to say. I guess you couldn’t think of anything racist this time, but I am sure you will. Being the Penn State fan you claim to be, aren’t you concerned that all the PSU players eat their boogers?
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I think you have me confused with someone else. I’m not a PSU fan nor a racist. But, I do enjoy the “Joe Jerk” line. I’m going to use it in my act. I guess you’re more of a Larry the Cable Guy fan?
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This is all nice and whatever else. And I do appreciate and agree with the direction of the comments. But anybody else noticed what is missing in this article? Like maybe ANY comment from KFz about the possibility.
And I don’t think we can make much comment until we hear his take on this. Truth be told, I have never seen him actually reinstate somebody to the team that he dismissed, even when he knew the person still had a good football future (read Benny Sapp).
I will pull for the young man regardless, but I will anything but assume that he will ever be reinstated to the team.
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Man up, apologize and handle your business. I am glad he did it. We all have made mistakes. S**t happens. However, Coker was there when we needed him and he deserves the #1 spot. Let’s hope Ferentz gives Adam a chance to compete next season.
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He said his peace now take some action and prove it and then maybe you will get back on the team. Wish you luck
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I am really curious as to why this comment is under moderation.
Good post, DaveHawk, I totally agree. It would be very nice to see Robinson get things straightened out, get back on track in the classroom, and receive another chance by Kirk, if it is not too late. Whether or not he plays for the Hawks, I hope the turns his life around and gets his degree.
Could it possibly be because I referred to LettermanHawk as DaveHawk. Is there something wrong with that. I am not certain what the rules and regulations are now. I thought I had a fairly good idea but apparently not. Please enlighten me, Hawk Central. Any posters have any theories.
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Go for it, Adam. Do the work and get it together and see if you can make it back in with the team. Hopefully Coach with give you another shot at it.
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Give me a break! I almost could have bought it until his mother said she thinks the 2 concussions he got this year had something to do with it because he never would have acted like this before. Well apparently he would have since he admits this isn’t the first time he smoked pot! Stop trying to make excuses for the boy mom and own up to the fact your son has a drug problem and needs to get his life in order and then worry about playing a sport! I don’t think he belongs on the team. There are plenty of other kids out there just as good who are willing to follow the rules in life in order to get a chance of a lifetime! Go to rehab, go to class, get a degree and move on with life Adam!
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You really don’t know the extent of his problem. Don’t you think that before we are accusatory that we all clean up our own back porches? If so, the whole world would be sparkling clean, and this applies to you. Like all of us, you only know what you read in the paper about this incident. Judge not…right? You know the quote.
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I was going to say give this kid a break but taxpayer dollars are paying for his education. Still, the U of I should forgive him and let him continue. But he needs to be reminded that there are a lot of hardworking and law-abiding people paying for his schooling so he’d better straighten up and fly right.
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Taxpayer dollars are not paying for his education. Football profits are. But in any case, he needs to “fly right,” as you suggest. I think he will. KF has said that Adam is a good guy…so he made a mistake. He’s still a good guy and now he has a chance to prove he is also a responsible guy.
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Tax dollars, football profits same thing. We’re paying for his education as fans (taxpayers) attending games, buying gear, making donations etc….
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Not really IowaFan. Those who pay taxes in Iowa (taxpayers) are NOT paying for any football players education. The U of I does not use taxpayers money to run it’s football program (one of a very few in the nation in that position). That is completely different than those choosing to support the team by buying tickets, gear, food, etc. and donating to the program. You may not see a difference, but those outside of the state of Iowa that support the team sure do.
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I’m “All In” for him getting a second chance. He manned up and said he was sorry. A lot of kids his age would just slink off and blame everyone else. Go A-Rob! I’ll be cheering you on!
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sounds good & it feels like he really means it. regardless he deserves another chance. hope kirk lets him back on.
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Dear U of I,
Get your lawyer on the phone. Mr. Parrish is going to try to line his silk suit pockets off the back of Robinson. That press conference was
staged with the back-drop of “if Adam isn’t put back on the team were suing.” Who is kidding who? If it comes down to it squash the high dollar Des Moines ambulance chaser.
Go Hawks………………
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Careful, your tinfoil hat is starting to fall off.
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You can’t sue a coach or the school for a player getting dismissed from the team for breaking the rules. It is in the scholarship wording…and playing college football is not a right–but a privilege. But where in the article does the attorney say anything about suing the U of I? I don’t think any lawyer would say that. If you have issues with lawyers, that’s fine, but are you blaming Robinson for having a lawyer in a legal case?
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1. If you’ve got jack or counsel feels the case has ANY merit you can sue anybody. Forget that piece of paper. Just ask T-Woods what his pre-nup did for him.
2. No-where in the article does it say Parrish intends to get into Sally’s purse. They rarely do in the beginning. They allow the potential defendants to figure it out on their own.
3. Issues with lawyers? Where did you get? I’ve had attorney’s defend me. They’re great to have around when you need one. Adam needed one. And now that he’s pleaded guilty and will suffer the consequences what was the whole point of Alfredo’s dog and pony show? In my opinion the point was a ‘nicely’ wrapped plea to get back on the team OR ELSE!!!!!!!!! The following nuggets say it all. Just have to pull your HawkEYE vision out and read between the lines.
“He told me he was feeling confusion, and some memory loss, and extremely fatigued,” said Sally Robinson, who indicated he was also dealing with a sinus infection at the time. “All he wanted to do was sleep.” “To myself, I felt like I was normal,” he said. “But I would have other people say, ‘Are you OK? You seem a little strange’ — and things like that.” Dealing with concussions led to missing required hours at the athletic learning center, Robinson said — resulting in a suspension from Iowa’s Insight Bowl game against Missouri. Robinson said he lobbied coaches to lessen the required hours as he dealt with his injury. “When I was going through all the concussion-ary symptoms, I wasn’t necessarily able to get all of my study hours at the learning center,” he said. “I felt they should’ve backed off on my hours, especially when I was at the peak of having concussion-ary symptoms — headaches, things like that. That didn’t happen.”
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If the President can forgive Michael Vick surely there is room to forgive Adam Robinson as his crimes pale by comparison.
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I really think that he deserves another chance. My only problem with this whole thing is as much heat as Ferentz takes already for some of the behavior problems on this team and the timing after the big press conference.
While I know its only an assumption, its almost like a parent threatening to ground their child to their bedroom if a behavior continues, the child does it again and its like well OK Ill give you just one more chance.
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Why does A-Rob still have a lawyer? He pled, the case is over. Why is he having a press conference at his lawyer’s office?
I think MJ is on to something. AZ, he could sue them for letting Montrell back on the team and not him.
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Of course he could sue, I dont think they would get very far though. I am assuming youd argue equal protection or something, but that would only apply to rights given by the state.
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I was pleased to hear this. He has always struck me as a good kid. It will be up to Coach. I hope KF does give him a second chance.
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I for one have mixed emotions about this.
Ferentz was already giving A-Rob a second chance by telling him he can get his priorities straight and rejoin the team in the spring.
What choice did A-Rob make AFTER Ferentz already offered a second chance? He was arrested for drug possession.
The second chance was already given.
But, there are many good points given by other people in favor of A-Rob. It looks like it’s his first offense. He seems to be showing remorse… At least with his mother’s stern eyes glaring at him.
Good people do get caught up in making poor choices at times. If the guy is truly remorseful and works hard to get his priorities together, I see no reason why he couldn’t earn a spot back on the team.
Sometimes people need an “eye opener”.
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[...] in trouble in the past then I could understand dismissing him from the team indefinitely. The kid is truly apologetic and very remorseful for what he [...]
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