Hurricane leveled Robinson home
TALLAHASSEE — While the Florida State football team prepares to host Wake Forest during homecoming, Seminoles defensive lineman Janarius Robinson is working to put the pieces of his life back together.
The Robinson family’s home in Panama City was destroyed by Hurricane Michael.
“It’s the memories,” Robinson said on Wednesday when asked what he lost during the storm. “That house has been there forever. It’s my grandma’s house.
“Some of the stuff, memories, you can’t get that stuff back. Especially the house.”
Hurricane Michael left Panama City unrecognizable to Robinson.
“It was very weird because it just really looked like someone dropped a nuclear bomb on us,” Robinson said. “Everything is destroyed. From buildings to schools to houses. Churches. If you didn’t know where you was, you wouldn’t know because nothing looks the same.”
Robinson returned to his childhood home Friday morning and was heartbroken by utter ruin.
His first task, like many others who lost their home, was to rummage through the loose dry wall and debris in hopes of salvaging memories.
The storm left Robinson’s mom and aunts homeless.
“Broke my heart yesterday, watching my God Son #11Jrob dig through what was left of his home trying to salvage some of the memories he and his mom made,” Omega Wynn, Robinson’s godfather, posted on Twitter.
Robinson and his family evacuated to Georgia until the storm passed and then traveled to Panama City that Friday. Before driving back, Robinson opened his direct message box on Twitter to those searching for loved ones.
One post by Morgan Elise read, “My whole family is in [Panama City] and I literally can’t get in contact with anyone. I just need to talk to my granny.”
Robinson replied, “Only phone tower working is AT&T. All the other ones are down. I’m going back to Panama as soon as I hear word…[direct message] me a address I’ll go look.”
To Wynn, Robinson’s effort to help his community was not a surprise.
“In the midst of all the devastation, he continued to talk about how or whom he could help around the city,” Wynn said.
Robinson was able to leave the devastation behind, arriving on campus Monday afternoon and couldn’t keep a smile off his face throughout practice on Tuesday.
“This is a time for me to get my mind away and off of things that’ve happened,” Robinson said when asked if football was therapeutic for him. “I come out here, get my mind off it and get back to work with my brothers.”
Defensive tackle Marvin Wilson added, “I was super shocked that he actually came back so early — especially after losing everything. I thought he was going to take a little bit longer off, but he’s committed to the grind and we welcome him with open arms. We’re just glad to have him.”
Before returning to FSU, Robinson sifted the rubble where his room once stood.
Every recruitment letter Robinson received was scattered throughout the collapsed home, almost indistinguishable from the trash. The envelopes from the University of Florida, Mississippi State, Louisiana State University, University of Georgia and Notre Dame were trophies symbolizing Robinson’s high school achievements.
James Longerbeam, Robinson’s high school coach, said he was a special person on and off the field at Bay High School.
“[Robinson] was a quiet kid but he ended up being a quiet leader, and I think football helped him as much as he helped football,” Longerbeam said. “To watch him go from a 13-year-old kid to an 18-year-old young man when he decided to go to Florida State, I think he’s handled all of those changes really well.
“I think he’ll be a bigger success off the field than on the field to be perfectly honest.”
Robinson, an only child, hopes football will one day help him support his family. His mother wanted him to resume focusing on football and school immediately.
“She wanted me to get my mind off of it and focus on things,” Robinson said of his mom supporting his quick return to football. “This is a way that I can get my family back on its feet. Coming out here and doing what I can to help my family, that can put me in a good situation.”
Robinson’s football family is doing its part to support him by donating to a GoFundMe campaign, which was approved by the NCAA. The goal was set at $75,000. Within the first 24 hours, Robinson has collected more than $60,000 donations.
“I feel like I can get … support, especially with the environment that I’m around with the fans and people that have a lot of support for me,” Robinson said of the financial campaign. “I feel like that can help me and my family get back on its feet.”
The growing donations and support from his teammates are helping Robinson cope.
“I’ve got some pictures of my house that I’m going to post in my locker to keep me motivated every day,” Robinson said. “When I see that, I know I have to come out here to work.”