Bryan Robinson, the defensive lineman best known for blocking a field goal to win the Bears’ first game after Walter Payton’s death, died Saturday night inside a Milwaukee motel room. He was 41.
An autopsy was conducted Monday morning and no trauma was found. The cause of death for Robinson — who played for the Bears from 1998-2003 — is pending further toxicology reports, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner.
“We are saddened to hear of the loss of Bryan Robinson,” the Bears said in a statement. “He will be remembered for the determination and work ethic he displayed on the field over his six years in Chicago.
“The Bears and our fans will always be indebted to him for his game-saving blocked field goal in Green Bay six days after Walter Payton’s passing. Our prayers are with Bryan and his family.”
Robinson, who was married and lived in Gurnee, checked into the Midpoint Motel with another male at 9 a.m. He rented the room for six hours and was considered by the motel manager to be a “regular” there, according to the medical examiner’s investigation report.
Staff members checked on Robinson on Saturday night when he didn’t check out of his room on time; by then, the other male had left. Robinson was found unresponsive, facedown on the bed wearing only a T-shirt.
Officers recovered a bottle of Crown Royal whisky, marijuana, lubricant and “poppers,” inhalants used to relax muscles that are common in the club scene. A crushed, wet toilet paper tube was found in the crook of his left arm.
An undrafted free agent from Fresno State, Robinson signed with the Rams in 1997 before joining the Bears one year later. He started 82 games in six seasons, including all 16 from 1999-2001 and 2003. He finished his Bears career with 16 ½ sacks, five forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
On Nov. 7, 1999 — six days after Payton’s death — he blocked Ryan Longwell’s 28-yard field goal attempt as time expired to defeat the Packers, 14-13, at Lambeau Field.
“I think Walter Payton picked me up,” Robinson said after the game, “because I can’t jump that high.”
After leaving the Bears, he logged one year with the Dolphins and three with the Bengals. He spent his final three years with the Cardinals, reaching Super Bowl XLIII after his first season in Arizona.
His 14-year career, during which he started 170 games and recorded 24 sacks, ended after the 2010 season.
Former Bears teammates mourned Robinson on Monday. Former defensive end Alex Brown wrote on Instagram that is was “extremely hard and sad to say goodbye to one of the good guys that taught me how to be an NFL player,” while former running back Thomas Jones Tweeted that “it was honor to play with you, B Rob.”
