Don Robinson (American football)
| Sport(s) | Football |
|---|---|
| Biographical details | |
| Born | March 1, 1922 Detroit, Michigan |
| Died | January 24, 2009 Vero Beach, Florida |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
| Playing career | |
| 1941-1943, 1945-1946 | Michigan |
| Position(s) | Halfback, Quarterback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1948-1956 | Michigan (asst) |
Don William Robinson (March 1, 1922 – January 24, 2009) was an American football player and coach. He played at the halfback and quarterback positions for the University of Michigan from 1941 to 1942 and, after serving as a heavy bomber pilot during World War II, from 1945 to 1946. He also played and served as captain of the Michigan Wolverines baseball team. From 1948 to 1957, he was an assistant football coach at Michigan.
Robinson was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1922. He played football for the Michigan Wolverines football teams as a halfback in 1941, 1942, and 1946. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1947. On October 11, 1941, Robinson scored a touchdown in a 40-0 victory over the Pitt Panthers on his first carry as a college football player. The Michiganensian reported: "In this game the spectators got their initial glimpse of triple-threat Don Robinson who in his first running attempt in collegiate competition shook off two would-be tacklers and scored the fifth Michigan marker of the afternoon." In a 1942 victory over Notre Dame, Robinson was the holder on a fake field goal attempt. After the snap, "Robinson arose from his crouch and swirled around his left attend for a touchdown."
On February 22, 1943, Robinson enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces for the duration of World War II. He was a B-25 Liberator heavy bomber pilot during the war, receiving two Distinguished Flying Crosses.
Robinson missed the 1943 and 1944 football seasons while serving in the military, but he returned to Michigan in time for the 1945 and 1946 football seasons. Robinson was used increasingly as a passer in 1945. In a 26-0 victory over Minnesota, Robinson threw passes of 44 and 12 yards for Michigan's final touchdown. In a 1946 victory over Michigan State, Robinson recovered the ball after a Michigan extra point attempt was blocked and passed the ball to Len Ford for the conversion.
...
Wikipedia