Falcons' Robinson Arrested

Pro Bowl safety Eugene Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons was cleared Sunday to start the Super Bowl hours after his arrest on a charge of soliciting an undercover police officer for oral sex.

Falcons coach Dan Reeves said the team would not discuss the Saturday night arrest until after the championship game against the Denver Broncos. But he had no misgivings about allowing Robinson to play.

"That's strictly up to Eugene," said Reeves, speaking poolside from his team's hotel. "As far as I'm concerned, and as far as the league is concerned, he can play. He'll have to make that decision later in day."

Robinson's father, Samuel, said he expected the defensive back to play.

"I think he needs to," the father said in the hotel lobby. "I think he needs to get out there and do his job. There's a lesson here somewhere."

Reeves sought to contain the attention surrounding the arrest in the hours leading to the game, the first time in 33 years the Falcons were playing for the NFL title.

"That's something that's a family matter and we're going to treat it as a family matter," he said. "I love Eugene unconditionally."

Police said Robinson was arrested at 9 p.m. on Biscayne Boulevard, a major street frequented by prostitutes and drug dealers.

Most Falcons players refused comment, but linebacker Henri Crockett said he was in "shock."

>

Eugene Robinson and his wife, Gia, relax by the pool hours before the Falcons' safety was arrested. (AP)

"I don't believe it ... anybody but Eugene," Crockett said Sunday from the hotel lobby. "I don't believe Eugene would do something like that."

"I know what kind of person he is. There has to be something more to it."

Robinson, whose family is with him in Miami, is one of the team's most popular players and has spoken frequently of his deep religious faith.

"Unfortunately, even as Christians, we do things wrong," Reeves said. "We're all sinners."

Defensive tackle Shane Dronett said the Falcons remained intent on concentrating on the game.

"We're not going to let it distract us," he said. "We'll stand beside Eugene. Until he says something we're not worried about it."

Dronett added, "I'm sure he's innocent. He was probably in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Robinson was driving a car, and was alone, when he offered the officer $40 for oral sex, said police spokesman Angel Calzadilla.

Robinson was released fro Miami Police headquarters around 11 p.m. to a Falcons official. He promised to return for a court appearance, which is usually scheduled within 21 to 30 days.

After being released, Robinson was consoled in his hotel room by several teammates, including linebacker Cornelius Bennett and Ray Buchanan, according to Samuel Robinson, who also was in the room.

"He didn't say anything about what happened, and I didn't ask him," the father said. "But you could see he was crushed. I've never seen my son with that look of concern and disappointment in his entire life."

Bennett spent more than a month in jail during the last offseason after pleading guilty to sexual misconduct.

"Bennett has been there before," Samuel Robinson said. "I'm glad he was there to support Eugene. He let him know, `We're here for you as a team."

Earlier Saturday, Robinson lounged by the hotel pool with his wife, Gia, and their 9-year-old son, Brandon. The couple also has an 11-year-old daughter, Brittany.

"The children asked questions. They have feelings," Samuel Robinson said. "My son talked to both kids, and that's a good deal."

Samuel Robinson said he was "very concerned" for his daughter-in-law.

"She's doing better today," he said. "She had to compose herself."

Robinson, who played in the last two Super Bowls with Green Bay, is the NFL's career leader among active players with 53 interceptions, including four this season.

He signed with the Falcons as a free agent after the Packers decided to go with a younger player at his position. Robinson, one of the team's most vocal players, became the unquestioned leader of the Falcons' secondary and earned Pro Bowl honors.

The arrest is yet one more difficult side issue this season for the Falcons, following Reeves' heart bypass surgery in December.

"You can't put Eugene Robinson aside, but we've got to do the best we can," Reeves said. "We've done a good job dealing with distractions this year. We can't be distracted by anything."

© 1999 SportsLine USA, Inc. All rights reserved