Office of Media Relations
Debra A. Johnson
Director of Alumni & Public Relations
318-274-6265 (Office)
318-274-2468 (Direct)
281-380-8112 (Cell)
johnsondeb@gram.edu
For Immediate Release: April 13, 2007
Coach Eddie Robinson Brought People Together in Life and Death
Nearly 6,000 Attended Today’s Funeral
Grambling, LA - Nearly six-thousand people packed into the new Grambling Assembly Center earlier this week to honor the late Eddie Robinson. A Who’s Who list of NFL players, former players, elected officials, Grambling State University students, staff, faculty, administrators and alumni, and community members paid tribute to Robinson’s influence on and off the field.
Robinson’s funeral was the inaugural event held in the newly constructed basketball arena, opened early for that purpose. In his remarks, Grambling State University President Horace Judson noted the significance of holding the funeral in the new facility. “Because we’re celebrating his home going, this facility will be forever a special place, a consecrated place.”
The
Revered Jesse Jackson spoke of the national and international acclaim Robinson
brought to GSU. “From Grambling to Yankee Stadium to Hawaii to Japan,
he made the world come to Grambling.”
“Coach Rob” began his career at Grambling State University in 1941, retiring in 1997. During those 57 years, he led the Grambling Tigers to great heights and influenced countless lives.
Robinson’s athletic legacy included sending more than 200 players to the NFL, four to the Hall of Fame, and achieving more than 400 wins and 17 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championships. Because of his outstanding record, he was dubbed the “winningest” coach in the history of college football.
Former GSU player and NFL great, James “Shack” Harris, spoke of Robinson’s strong will and competitiveness, yet gentleness and compassion when dealing with his players. “He always said he wanted a piece of us. We’re all better because we had a piece of Coach.”
ROBINSON WAS A TRUE AMERICAN
United States Senator Mary Landrieu presented a resolution passed by the
senate and an American flag that flew over the Nation’s Capitol to
Robinson’s widow, Doris.
“Never before and never again was there a man, husband, coach, and American like Eddie Robinson,” said Richard Lapchick, author of Never Before, Never Again: The Autobiography of Eddie Robinson.
The ceremony was energetic with several eruptions of applause and cheers throughout its three hours. More than 15 people shared their experiences and gratitude to the Robinson family for sharing Coach Rob with them.
“Today’s service was inspiring and dignified. I was particularly touched by James Davidson’s memory of Robinson’s last words to him, ‘What can I do for you?’ That demonstrated his dedication to others, leaving an example for all,” said University of Louisiana System President Sally Clausen.
Former Grambling president Joseph Johnson said Robinson’s legacy was threefold. He left a “thirst for love, a thirst for education, and a dedication to duty with acceptance of responsibility.“
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