Kevin Altona "Tony" Robinson (born January 22, 1964) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Super Bowl-winning Washington Redskins as a replacement member of their team during the 1987 players' strike. Along with other Redskins replacement players from that year, he was eventually awarded a Super Bowl ring.

Robinson played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers from 1982 to 1985. After spending his first two seasons as a backup, he guided the 1984 squad to a 7–4–1 record and an appearance in the Sun Bowl. He led the 1985 "Sugar Vols" squad through a difficult first half of the season, and was a Heisman Trophy candidate until blowing out his right knee during a close game against Alabama. A few weeks after the season, he was arrested in Knoxville on charges of distributing cocaine, critically damaging his prospects in the NFL. He went undrafted in the 1986 NFL draft."Tony Robinson, Vols Quarterback" , December 11, 2000, Albert Chen, Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 5, 2010.

In 1987, during the strike, Robinson played in one game for the Redskins after starting replacement quarterback Ed Rubbert was injured. He led the Redskins' replacement players to an improbable 13–7 win over a Dallas Cowboys team that featured a number of players who had crossed the picket lines during the strike. His role was loosely portrayed by both Keanu Reeves and Michael Jace in the 2000 film The Replacements.

Early life

Robinson was born in Monticello, Florida, the son of Johnnie Robinson, a truck driver, and his wife, Jean. He grew up in Tallahassee, where he played football with neighborhood kids from a very young age. He played high school football at Tallahassee's Leon High School under heralded coach Gene Cox. He joined Leon's junior varsity squad as a freshman in 1978, initially playing at wide receiver, but switching to quarterback when Cox noticed how easily he could throw the ball long distances.

Robinson was named Leon's starting quarterback during his sophomore season. The decision was controversial, not only because Robinson was an underclassman, but because he was black. Cox, who had sent a string of quarterbacks to the college ranks, brushed off the criticism, stating, "I've always believed in playing the best player," and that Robinson was "unquestionably the best."

During his three years as Leon's starting quarterback, Robinson completed 378 of 676 passes for 6,581 yards and 75 touchdowns, and was one of the few high school quarterbacks at the time to throw for more than 2,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. With Robinson as the starter, Leon lost just four times in 33 games. During his senior season, Robinson completed 155 of 261 passes for 2,354 yards and 24 touchdowns, leading Leon to an undefeated regular season.Leon Football Trivia, Leon Hall of Fame website. Retrieved: October 26, 2013. He won "Florida Player of the Year" accolades, and was named to the Parade All-American team.1982 Tennessee Signees , 1982 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 62.

College career

Robinson had initially hoped to play for Florida State, which was located just a few miles from Leon High School, and had taken several Leon players in the past. Florida State, however, showed little interest in Robinson until late in his recruitment. His high school coach, Gene Cox, suggested it was because of Robinson's race, noting that Florida State had never had a black quarterback. Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden denied this, however, stating that he was concerned with Robinson's relatively skinny frame (he was listed at 6'4", 170 pounds, coming out of high school). "I really didn't think he could take the pounding," Bowden said.Tim Povtak, "Make No Mistake, Robinson Can Play," Orlando Sentinel, October 9, 1985.

Robinson eventually signed with Tennessee. Volunteers head coach Johnny Majors had also waffled on Robinson's recruitment, expressing concern over a roster already packed with quarterbacks, but made up his mind at the last minute and offered Robinson a scholarship. Robinson joined Tennessee's stellar 1982 recruiting class, which included future NFL players Tim McGee, Joey Clinkscales, Charles Davis, Bruce Wilkerson, and Daryle Smith.

Tennessee had signed multiple quarterbacks in 1982. After a few practices, however, most realized they would not win the starting job over Robinson. Several, including Clinkscales and Davis, found new positions, while others left the team. During his freshman year, Robinson was a backup to star quarterback Alan Cockrell, and played very little."1983 Squad," 1983 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 55. He led Tennessee's junior varsity team to a 3–1 record, however, completing 15 of 29 passes for 412 yards and seven touchdowns, and rushing for 109 yards."1982 Junior Varsity Statistics ," 1983 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 90. Robinson remained a backup to Cockrell during the 1983 season. He received his only significant playing time in Tennessee's 37–3 win over Georgia Tech, completing 6 of 12 passes for 123 yards and a 35-yard touchdown."1984 Squad," 1984 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 58.

1984 season

Disappointed over lack of playing time, Robinson contemplated leaving the team. He was suddenly vaulted into the starting slot, however, when Cockrell decided to skip his senior year to play Major League Baseball.

Robinson performed reasonably well in season-opening wins over Washington State and Utah, though star running back Johnnie Jones shouldered much of the offensive burden."Fumble-Prone Vols Survive Nightmarish Half to Rally Past Cougars as Jones Shines ," 1985 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 96."Utah Fights Back From Huge Deficit But Bows as Jones Rambles for 197 ," 1985 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 96. After suffering a leg injury, Robinson missed all of Tennessee's game against Army (allowing quarterback Daryl Dickey to get his first start),"UT's Rank Among Top 20 Fleeting As Army Roars From Behind For Tie ," 1985 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 96. and struggled in the Vols' 29–10 loss to Auburn."Auburn Reaches Pre-Season Expectations In Administering First Loss to Vols ," 1985 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 97.

Robinson's breakout performance came in Tennessee's shootout against rival Florida on October 13, 1984. He completed a school-record 29 passes for 371 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown pass to Tim McGee in the first quarter, and a 48-yard touchdown pass to Joey Clinkscales that pulled the Vols to within a score in the fourth quarter. He also had 18 yards rushing, giving him 389 yards of total offense, which was also a school record. Tennessee's defense was unable to stop Florida's running back tandem of Neal Anderson and John L. Williams, however, and the Gators prevailed 43–30."Robinson's Completion Mark Goes For Naught In Wild Offensive Shootout With Florida ," 1985 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 97.

Robinson delivered another strong performance in Tennessee's game against rival Alabama on October 20, 1984. With Alabama leading 27–13 midway through the fourth quarter, Robinson engineered a scoring drive which culminated with a 17-yard touchdown pass to McGee. Teammate Andre Creamer then returned a punt to the Alabama 11-yard line, and Jones scored from a yard out a few plays later to cut the lead to 27–26 with just over two minutes remaining. Majors opted to go for the two-point conversion, which Robinson scored by faking a pitch to Jones and diving over the goal line, giving Tennessee a 28–27 victory, and setting off a wild celebration at Neyland Stadium."Third Straight Triumph Over Alabama Sets Off Frenzied Stadium Celebration ," 1985 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 97. Robinson was named "Southeast Back of the Week" by the Associated Press for his performance."1985 Squad ," 1985 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 71.

In Tennessee's 24–21 win over Georgia Tech on October 27, Robinson completed 20 of 26 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown, and connected with tight end Jeff Smith on a 31-yard, fourth-down pass late in the fourth quarter to set up Fuad Reveiz's game-winning field goal."Desperation Catch by Smith Sets Up Reveiz' Game-Winning Shot ," 1985 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 98. In the Vols' 41–9 win over Memphis State two weeks later, Robinson threw three touchdown passes, including a 34-yarder to McGee and a 24-yarder to Smith, and scored on a 25-yard run."Deadly Arm, Nifty Feet Make Tony Too Formidable for Memphis State ," 1985 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 98. In Tennessee's 17–12 loss to Kentucky — the Volunteers' last loss to the Wildcats until 2011 — Robinson engineered a drive to the Kentucky 13-yard line late the fourth quarter, but time expired as he was trying to down the ball."Sun Bowl Bid Offered and Accepted Despite Close Loss At Hand of Cats ," 1985 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 99. Robinson threw touchdown passes of 55 yards and 19 yards to McGee to lead Tennessee to a 29–13 win over rival Vanderbilt to finish the regular season."Jones, Robinson and McGee Cut Loose in Season Finale With Archrival Vandy ," 1985 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 99. In the 1984 Sun Bowl, with Tennessee down 28–27, Robinson led a late drive into Maryland territory, but lost the ball on a fumble, allowing the Terrapins to escape with the win."Shut Out for Half, Terps Roar Back in Sun Bowl ," 1985 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 100.

Robinson finished the 1984 season with 153 completions on 256 passes for 1,963 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions, falling just short of Alan Cockrell's school single-season record of 2,021 passing yards. He also rushed for 126 yards and 3 touchdowns, giving him a school-record 2,089 yards of total offense. His 61.7% completion rate also set a record, surpassing Johnny Majors' 1956 mark of 61.3%.

1985 season

Robinson was named Preseason All-SEC prior to the 1985 season. He was also considered a contender for the Heisman Trophy."Air Power: Once Subdued Passing Game Hits Peak With Tony, Tim" , 1985 University of Tennessee Football Guide (University of Tennessee, 1985), p. 10. In Tennessee's season opener against 10th-ranked UCLA, he threw for a school record 387 yards and two touchdowns, including a 68-yard bomb to Clinkscales, and rushed for 30 yards, giving him 417 total yards to break his own school record for total offense. The Bruins rallied to score 16 points late in the fourth quarter, however, to escape with a 26–26 tie.

On September 28, 1985, Tennessee hosted #1 Auburn, which featured eventual Heisman winner Bo Jackson at running back. On Tennessee's first drive, Robinson broke loose for a 39-yard scramble to set up the Vols' first score. Following an Auburn turnover, Robinson connected with McGee for a 37-yard touchdown. In the second quarter, Robinson engineered a third scoring drive, capped by an off-balance touchdown pass to Vince Carter. When Auburn cut the lead to 24–6 in the fourth quarter, Robinson led the Vols downfield on another scoring drive, which featured a long pass to McGee and a touchdown pass to Clinkscales. After Auburn scored again, Robinson responded with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Eric Swanson, and the Vols held on for a 38–20 win. Robinson finished with 259 yards passing and a school-record four touchdown passes. Having upstaged Jackson, Robinson was featured on the cover of the October 7, 1985, edition of Sports Illustrated under the caption, "The Tennessee Waltz: Tony Robinson Buries Auburn."