Former Los Angeles Raiders linebacker and NFL legend Jerry Robinson was announced as the team’s nominee for the NFL’s “Salute to Service” Award in 2020.
Robinson, who spent seven years with the Raiders, has been a constant presence in the veterans’ community. In 2018 and 2019, Robinson visited the Yountville Veterans Home in Napa to pay his respect to the numerous veterans living there. The former linebacker also joined veterans at the former Raiders Headquarters in Northern California for a dinner.
In 2019, Robinson once again paid a visit to Raiders Headquarters to take part in an event where he met with families of Travis Air Force Base to help with a project to build wooden American flags through the Flags of Valor program. He has also watched games with airmen and their families at Nellis Air Force Base to cheer on the Raiders.
His most recent event was a virtual watch party with members of Wounded Warriors, a meaningful effort to connect with veterans during the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
Robinson was selected No. 21 overall in the 1979 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He spent six seasons there, earning his first and only first-team All-Pro nod in 1981 and later winning Super Bowl XV.
A Santa Rosa native, Robinson returned to California where he finished his career with the Raiders. For his career, he started in 147 of 184 games and amassed 14 sacks, 12 interceptions, 15 fumble recoveries, and two touchdowns.
Although he has been retired for quite some time now, Robinson still makes appearances on news outlets to breakdown Raiders games and offer his insights and opinions. A franchise favorite, Robinson has earned his place in NFL history but his off the field endeavors have made him a worthy candidate for this year’s award.
The Salute to Service Award presented by USAA is given out annually and acknowledges the exceptional efforts by members of the NFL community to honor and support U.S. service members, veterans and their families. Finalists for the award will be named in January and the winner will be recognized at the NFL Honors show the week before the Super Bowl.
