Koren Robinson Deserves Another Chance

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL

Green Bay Packers WR Koren Robinson has petitioned for reinstatement following a one-year suspension and is eligible to return to the NFL next week — Wednesday, October 17 to be exact. And I hope Commissioner Goodell grants that request.

Koren has had his share of alcohol-related problems since he entered the league back in 2001, but after talking with him a couple years ago as a Minnesota Viking, I felt certain he was on the right track. He admitted to having a problem with alcohol and was doing everything in his power to turn his life around. Unfortunately, his power wasn’t enough and he was cut by the Vikings after leading police on a 100 mph car chase with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit. Prior to the incident, he told me, “Everyday, I’m working on myself to be a better person.” And I believed him. He talked about his actions off-the-field and how that was not the person his parents raised him to be, that he was better than that. I know he was trying. I could hear it in his voice. I could see it in his face. It’s not easy to admit your problems and weaknesses to the whole world, but that’s what he did. He had to. He was working with AA and doing absolutely everything he was supposed to do to get right. Then, the unexpected happened. I guess his demons were more than he could handle. That’s the only way I could explain it. And in his case, demon alcohol was once again getting the better of him.

Now, I don’t in any way condone what he did — DWI. It’s bad enough that alcohol is his problem, but when you get behind the wheel of a car, it has the potential to become a lot of other people’s problems, too. And that’s very, very serious stuff. Koren would be the first to admit that was a horrible mistake.

Some people will say that Koren Robinson has already had enough chances — that he blew it. But I believe he deserves one more shot to make something of himself in this league. And I trust that Commissioner Goodell, after talking with Koren, will see that he is a (still) young guy who can be a productive player and person with the Packers and the NFL community.