Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME In addition to playing football last fall, he took 18 credits in the class- room, wrote his senior thesis — as a junior — started a non-profit organi- zation and served as an athletic repre- sentative in student government. He said he wanted to whittle that down to "only" football and student gov- ernment in 2016. The San Antonio native applied for a Rhodes Scholarship, Fulbright Scholarship and pondered whether to apply for acceptance in Notre Dame's ACE (Alliance for Catholic Education Program), which includes two years as a teacher that culminates in receiv- ing a master's of education. Robinson played in 38 games in three seasons for the Irish. His sopho- more season was the most produc- tive, when he caught 40 passes for 539 yards and five touchdowns — and had the game-winner at No. 2 Florida State rubbed out because of a contro- versial penalty. That season propelled him to the first round in some mock drafts prior to the start of the 2015 season. As a junior, however, his output fell off, with 16 receptions for 200 yards and a score. He battled a knee injury for much of the fall. His 65 career catches easily would have been the most among returning Irish wide receivers in 2016, nearly doubling Torii Hunter Jr.'s 35. No one else has caught more than one pass. Robinson's departure leaves a void at boundary (W) receiver, which also graduated second-leading pass catcher Chris Brown (48 receptions for 597 yards and four scores in 2015). S o p h o m o re E q u a n i m e o u s S t . Brown, who caught one pass in 2015 before shoulder surgery in November, is expected to be the top candidate there. Classmate Alizé Jones, who caught 13 passes for 190 yards at tight end last season, also saw part-time work at W this spring. PAUL HORNUNG SUES RIDDELL The growing epidemic of head trauma from football took another twist on July 7 when 1956 Notre Dame Heisman Trophy winner and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Paul Hornung sued equipment manufacturer Riddell Inc. The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, states that the Riddell helmets Hornung wore dur‑ ing his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers from 1957‑66 (including a one‑year league suspen‑ sion in 1963) failed to protect him from brain injury. During his career, Hornung suffered numerous concussions and now at age 80, he has been diagnosed with dementia, which has been linked to repetitive head trauma. "The main reason for bringing this lawsuit is to use my name and experience to alert former play‑ ers and warn every current NFL player, every college and high school player and every little tyke playing on the football field that brain injury is real and that the head should never be used as a weapon," Hornung said in a written statement. "Football is a fantastic sport and the lifelong friends and benefits I have derived are immeasurable. However, the issues I deal with on a daily basis have truly adversely affected my life."