Ex-Packers guard Robbins dies at 62 from COVID-19
GREEN BAY - Former Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Tootie Robbins, a 12-year NFL veteran who was coach Mike Holmgren’s starting right tackle for two seasons, has died at the age of 62.
Robbins’ niece, Lakeisha King, confirmed what a number of former teammates had posted on social media.
King said Robbins, who lived in Chandler, Arizona, succumbed to COVID-19 early Sunday evening.
“He contacted COVID and it in return took my uncle’s life,” she wrote in an email. “But he is in heaven with his mom and dad now. Thank you for remembering my uncle. He is definitely missed.”
Former Packers safety LeRoy Butler, whose career overlapped the two-year stay Robbins had in Green Bay, also said in a Twitter post that Robbins had died and said he was well-liked during his two seasons in Green Bay.
Born James Elbert Robbins in Windsor, North Carolina, the 6-5, 303-pound tackle was one of general manager Ron Wolf ’s first freeagent signings when he took over the Packers late in the 1991 season.
The Packers’ offensive line was a mess and after Holmgren added former Cardinals offensive line coach Tom Lovat to his first staff in ‘92, Robbins became an anchor at right tackle. Nearing the end of his career at the time, Robbins added stability and leadership the Packers were sorely lacking.
He started 15 games in ’92 and 11 in ’93 before a torn triceps landed him on injured reserve and effectively ended his career. In 12 seasons, he played in 159 games and started 147.
Clark doesn’t get props
Kenny Clark’s breakout 2019 season came at the right time. Cracking his first Pro Bowl roster, Clark caught a natural springboard into the final season of his rookie contract.
His six sacks and 62 tackles — not to mention constant double teams — warranted the selection. At just 24 years old, Clark tied for sixth among the NFL’s interior linemen in sacks and was fourth in tackles.
He was the youngest interior lineman to rank among the league’s top eight in sacks or tackles, and Clark did both.
But when the NFL Network released its top 100 players this offseason, a list voted on by fellow players in the league, Clark was not included.
No, that didn’t sit well with the former first-round pick.
“Sometimes it just messes with my mind,” Clark said, “because I don’t know what (more) I can do or show. I don’t know. I don’t know. It’s clearly, I don’t know if they don’t respect me as much or because I’m inside, they don’t see (me). They don’t know the game, they aren’t watching the film. They don’t see me on tape as much. I’m not making as much splash plays. I don’t know what it is.”
Another great year would again come at the right time, especially given the potential salary-cap restraints expected if the coronavirus pandemic dwindles league revenue this fall. Clark brushed aside a question about his contract status, saying he’s focused on how he plays.
Still, the need for a big year made for an easy decision when considering whether or not to opt out because of COVID-19 this season. No, Clark said, he never considered it.
Another COVID addition
The Packers added long snapper Hunter Bradley to the COVID-19 reserve list Monday, making him the team’s fourth player to be sidelined for reasons related to the coronavirus.
The Packers and the rest of the NFL are not specifying why a player is being added to the list, but the two reasons for being placed there are testing positive or coming in proximity of someone who has contracted the virus.
Using leaguewide protocols, the Packers tested players three times in four days before allowing them to enter the facility for the start of training camp.
Before Monday, kicker Mason Crosby, tight end Jace Sternberger and outside linebacker/defensive end Greg Roberts were placed on the list.
Pair waived
The team is down to three quarterbacks after Jalen Morton, an undrafted free agent signed in May, was released.
General manager Brian Gutekunst waived 2019 practice squad quarterback Manny Wilkins after signing Morton.
Given the limited practice time before the season starts, it’s not surprising coach Matt LaFleur is going with just Aaron Rodgers, Tim Boyle and rookie Jordan Love.
Gutekunst also released fullback/tight end Elijah Wellman, who had been signed as a futures free agent in January. Wellman became expendable when the Packers claimed fullback/tight end John Lovett on waivers from Kansas City last week.