Examiner: Ex-Bears DL Bryan Robinson died of natural causes

Bryan Robinson, who was found in a Milwaukee motel June 11, died of natural causes, the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office declared last week. The former Bears defensive lineman had hypertensive cardiovascular disease, the report said. The heart issue was most likely a result of obesity; he was 6-5, 307 pounds.

Robinson had a blood-alcohol content of .211 and marijuana was found in his system, but neither contributed to his death at age 41, the office said Thursday.

Robinson checked into the Midpoint Motel, where he was considered a regular, with another male at 9 a.m. When he didn’t check out later that day, employees entered the otherwise-empty room. They found him deceased. Marijuana and whisky were found in the room.

An autopsy conducted two days later showed no signs of trauma and a toxicology report was ordered. It produced the marijuana finding.

Robinson played for the Bears from 1998-2003 and is best remembered for blocking a 28-yard field goal attempt to beat the Packers, 14-13, on Nov. 7, 1999, six days after Bears legend Walter Payton’s death.

“I think Walter Payton picked me up,” Robinson said after the game, “because I can’t jump that high.”

He played 14 seasons in the NFL, recording 24 sacks and starting 170 games. He reached Super Bowl XLIII after his first of three seasons with the Cardinals, his final of five stops around the league. Robinson retired following the 2010 season.