Created by former NFL receiver and Newport Beach businessman Paul Salata as a celebration of the little guy, Irrelevant Week gives Salata, the consumate philanthropist who announced the pick on stage at New York's Radio City Music Hall, yet another reason to do something nice for someone for no reason.
Robinson, who knew nothing of Irrelevant Week before Sunday, learned of the importance of giving to others from his grandmother, Mary Hunt. Hunt, he said, was the strong and selfless matriarch of his family until her death in February of 2005.
Robinson, who played in 50 straight contests, including 36 starts, for the Crimson Tide during a workmanlike collegiate career, wore jersey No. 17 his first two seasons at 'Bama.
But, before his junior season, in honor of his late grandmother, he switched to jersey No. 1.
"My grandmother was the captain of my family," said Robinson, who produced 143 tackles, four interceptions, a bachelor's degree in management, and a locker room full of admiring teammates and coaches during his time in Tuscaloosa. "She was the No. 1 lady for me and she kept my entire family together. I wanted to wear No. 1 to honor her memory. I decided I wanted to try to be first in everything I do."
Robinson, whose list of weaknesses is only slightly shorter than his list of strengths on the biography posted online by Scouts Inc., believes his grandmother would have been proud, when his name was called by Salata Sunday.
Robinson, on the other hand, was relieved.
"[The draft] was one of the worst experiences I've had as a student-athlete," he said. "I wanted to get drafted [Saturday], but that didn't happen. Then, as the rounds went on [Sunday] I started to get a little frustrated. I stopped watching it on TV about the middle of the sixth round."
