By Darin How does a Civil Engineering student become the most feared outside linebacker of a dynasty? Dave Robinson didn’t just play defense; he redefined it. As a towering end for Penn State, he was the first African American Nittany Lion to be named a First-Team All-American, anchoring a squad that dominated the East. When he moved to the frozen tundra of Green Bay, he became the ultimate “Lombardi” player—a versatile, high-IQ linebacker who secured three straight NFL titles and the first two Super Bowls. From Mount Holly to the dual honors of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, Robinson remains the gold standard for power and precision in the trenches.
Football Bio
May 3, 1941 – Mount Holly, New Jersey – Penn State’s brilliant end from 1960 to 1962, Dave Robinson was born.
The NFF shares that Robinson was an All-America in 1962. Dave had also been elected to the Gator Bowl Hall of Fame. In 1962, the Newark Athletic Club named Robinson the College Player of the Year. The Philadelphia Sports Writers Association named him the College Lineman of the Year, as the Nittany Lions posted a 24-8 record in his three years there and won two Lambert Trophies as the best team in the East. Dave Robinson received the great honor of being selected for inclusion into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
In 1963, the big end was picked by both the Chargers in the AFL and the Packers in the 1963 Draft. He, of course, chose Green Bay and played outside linebacker for Vince Lombardi’s team, playing on three straight NFL Championship squads from 1965 to 1967. He was also on the Super Bowl I and II teams that took the title for Green Bay. The Pro Football Hall of Fame says he intercepted 27 passes for 449 yards and scored one pick-six. Dave Robinson was selected for enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
Conclusion
Dave Robinson was a rare athlete who achieved legendary status at every level of the game. His transition from a dominant collegiate end to a Pro Bowl linebacker in Green Bay is a testament to his intelligence and physical adaptability. By securing five championships in a seven-year span, he became a foundational pillar of the winningest era in professional football history. Whether it was blocking field goals in the playoffs or snatching momentum-shifting interceptions, Robinson was a “big-game” performer through and through. His dual enshrinement in Canton and the College Football Hall of Fame cements his legacy as one of the greatest defensive minds to ever lace up a pair of cleats.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2013.
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1997.
- 3× NFL Champion: 1965, 1966, 1967.
- 2× Super Bowl Champion: Super Bowls I and II.
- NFL 1960s All-Decade Team: Selected as a premier linebacker of the era.
- 3× Pro Bowl Selection: 1966, 1967, 1969.
- First-Team All-Pro: 1967 (Associated Press).
- Consensus First-Team All-American: 1962 (Penn State’s first Black All-American).
- Gator Bowl Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1996 (1962 Gator Bowl MVP).
- Lambert Trophy Winner: Part of two Penn State teams (1961, 1962) named best in the East.
- Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1982.