“I’m on top of the world, riding that big wave,” said Robinson. “I just hope I don’t wipe out, that’s all.”
Robinson had pretty much given up hope that he would be enshrined in the Hall of Fame, but now as a veteran nominee, he will automatically be included in the final 17 players that are considered next February during Super Bowl week.
“From now till February I’m going to be on pins and needles hoping everything comes out,” said Robinson, who turned 71 in May. “I don’t dare assume that something happens.”
For years Robinson couldn’t understand why he would get passed over by the Hall of Fame.
Former Packers assistant coach Dave Hanner rated Robinson ahead of Ray Nitschke. And former Packers defensive coordinator Phil Bengtson rated Robinson as the second-best player he ever coached behind only Nitschke and ahead of Henry Jordan, Herb Adderley and Willie Davis.