NFL Throwback: 1999 Eugene Robinson arrested for solicitation befire the Falcons Super Bowl

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The night prior to Super Bowl XXXIII, Robinson was arrested by an undercover police officer for soliciting a prostitute.[1]

Earlier that day, Robinson received the Athletes in Action/Bart Starr Award, given annually to a player who best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community. After the arrest, Robinson agreed to return the award.[2]

The next day, without much sleep the night before due to the prostitution incident, Robinson gave up an 80-yard touchdown reception to Broncos receiver Rod Smith, giving the Broncos a 17–3 lead over the Falcons.

Later, in the fourth quarter, he missed a tackle on Denver running back Terrell Davis that enabled Davis to break a long run to the Atlanta 10-yard line.

The Atlanta Falcons ended up losing the game, 34–19, and Robinson was widely denounced by the press and fans for the previous night's incident.

The next season was Robinson's last with the Falcons.
 
SUPER BOWL XXXIII; Robinson's Arrest Looms Larger After the Falcons' Defeat

By Mike Freeman
  • Feb. 2, 1999
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February 2, 1999, Section D, Page 1Buy Reprints
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Some Atlanta Falcon players said today that they were not surprised when their teammate, Eugene Robinson, was arrested on a charge of soliciting a prostitute in a seedy section of Miami the night before Super Bowl XXXIII. After all, some of them said, other Falcons had been there several times for the same purpose.
''Guys had been going there all week,'' a Falcon starter said. ''It's just that Eugene was the only one who got caught.''
In interviews after the game and this morning, several Falcon starters spoke about Robinson's arrest and its affect on the team. They insisted on anonymity because of their concern that their comments could be divisive to a team that hopes to return to the Super Bowl.
 
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