Isiah Robertson
Isiah "Butch" Robertson (August 17, 1949 – December 6, 2018) was an American professional football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams from 1971 to 1978 and the Buffalo Bills from 1979 to 1982.[1] A first-round draft pick (10th overall) from Southern University, he earned the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 1971 and six Pro Bowl selections (1971, 1973–1977), highlighting his role as a key defensive player in the Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" era defenses.[2][1] Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 225 pounds, Robertson was renowned for his exceptional speed—clocked at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash—and versatility in run defense, pass coverage, and blitzing, amassing 25 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries over 168 games.[1][3] After retiring, he struggled with crack cocaine addiction that led to severe personal hardships, including a near-fatal beating, but achieved redemption by founding House of Isaiah, a rehabilitation ministry aiding hundreds with addiction recovery through faith-based programs.[4] Robertson died in a limousine crash on December 6, 2018, hours after delivering a motivational speech to high school athletes, with his family later alleging chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) from football injuries in a wrongful death lawsuit against the NCAA.[5][6] Despite his statistical achievements and contemporary acclaim, Robertson has been overlooked for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, prompting arguments that his contributions rival those of inducted peers from the era.[3]Early Life and Background
Childhood and Family in New Orleans
Isiah Robertson was born on August 17, 1949, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to parents Isiah Robertson Sr. (1920–2003) and Doris Edrinea McGee Robertson (1923–2012).[7][8] As a New Orleans native, he was raised in the city amid a family that included multiple siblings, among them Beverly Robertson, Kent Robertson, Dwight Robertson, Theard Robertson, and Andre Robertson.[9][2] Specific details of his early family life and upbringing in New Orleans remain limited in public records, though his roots in the area shaped his initial path toward athletics.[10]High School Football Career
Isiah Robertson attended Pine View High School in Covington, Louisiana, where he competed in football during the mid-1960s.[1] [11] Born in 1949, Robertson honed his athletic talents on local fields and playgrounds around New Orleans and Covington, demonstrating a knack for making impactful plays that foreshadowed his future nickname, "Playmaker."[12] His high school performance as a linebacker and defensive standout attracted attention from college recruiters, culminating in a scholarship to Southern University, marking him as one of the school's early notable prospects from Louisiana high school football.[12] Specific statistics or all-state honors from his Pine View tenure remain undocumented in available records, though his recruitment success underscores his regional prominence in an era when scouting focused on raw talent and local dominance rather than national metrics.[13]College Career
Southern University Jaguars
Robertson enrolled at Southern University on a football scholarship and played as an outside linebacker for the Jaguars from 1968 to 1970.[14] During his tenure, he recorded 11 interceptions, showcasing his speed and coverage skills in an era before official sack statistics.[12] In 1969, Robertson made a pivotal 102-yard interception return for a touchdown against Grambling State University, marking the longest such return in the rivalry's history and contributing to a Jaguars team that produced 10 future NFL players, including four Pro Bowlers.[13] His senior season in 1970 elevated his profile, as he tallied 112 tackles en route to becoming Southern University's first College Division All-American selection.[14] That year, he earned spots on All-America teams named by The Sporting News, Time magazine, the Associated Press, and United Press International for small colleges.[13][15]Key Achievements and Statistics
In 1970, Robertson became Southern University's first College Division All-American selection, earning recognition on The Sporting News and TIME All-America teams for his defensive prowess as a linebacker.[2] [16] During his senior season that year, he recorded 112 tackles and 45 assists, contributing significantly to the Jaguars' defensive efforts in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).[16] Over his entire college career from 1967 to 1970, Robertson intercepted 11 passes, including a notable length-of-the-field return for a game-winning touchdown against rival Grambling State University.[12] These performances underscored his dominance at the Division II level, leading to his selection as the 10th overall pick in the 1971 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.[1]Professional NFL Career
1971 NFL Draft Selection
Robertson was selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the tenth overall pick in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft, held on January 28–29, 1971, in New York City.[17][1] As a linebacker from Southern University, a historically Black college in the NAIA division, his selection marked the highest draft position ever for a player from the institution up to that point.[3] The Rams, coming off a 9–4–1 season in 1970 and seeking to bolster their defense under head coach Tommy Prothro, viewed Robertson's speed, tackling ability, and All-America recognition in the College Division as key attributes that translated well to the professional level.[1][2] Prior to the draft, Robertson had garnered attention through his standout senior season at Southern, where he recorded impressive statistics in tackles and interceptions, earning him consensus College Division All-America honors from sources like the Associated Press.[2] This performance elevated him above typical small-school prospects, positioning him as one of the top defensive talents available despite competition from players at major programs. The Rams' choice reflected the era's scouting emphasis on athleticism over pedigree, as Robertson signed a multi-year contract shortly after his selection and transitioned directly into a starting role.[1][12]Los Angeles Rams Tenure (1971-1978)
Isiah Robertson joined the Los Angeles Rams as the 10th overall selection in the first round of the 1971 NFL Draft out of Southern University.[1] In his rookie year, he started 12 of 14 games at outside linebacker, recording 4 interceptions for 32 yards, 4 sacks, and earning the Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award along with his first Pro Bowl nod.[1] [2] From 1972 to 1977, Robertson solidified his role as a starter, appearing in all 84 regular-season games and amassing 14 interceptions for 233 yards and 2 touchdowns, 9 fumble recoveries, and additional sacks including 4 in 1977.[1] He earned five consecutive Pro Bowl selections (1973–1977) and All-Pro recognition each year: first-team in 1973 and 1976, second-team in 1974, 1975, and 1977.[1] [12] Notable plays included a 49-yard interception return against the New York Giants in 1973, a 59-yard playoff pick against Washington in 1974, and a 76-yard interception versus Philadelphia in 1975.[3] Robertson's contributions anchored a Rams defense that won six NFC Western Division titles and reached four NFC Championship Games during his tenure, while leading the NFL in total defense in 1973 and 1978, scoring defense in 1974 and 1975, and NFC run defense from 1973 to 1975.[3] Over eight seasons with Los Angeles, he totaled 18 interceptions, 11 fumble recoveries, and 19.5 sacks across 111 games with 102 starts. In 1978, Robertson's role diminished with only 6 starts in 13 games, though he notched 2 fumble recoveries—including a 15-yard return for a touchdown against Minnesota—and 4 sacks.[1] [3] He departed the Rams after the season, having been a cornerstone of their 1970s defensive dominance.[3]Buffalo Bills Stint (1979-1982)
Robertson was acquired by the Buffalo Bills via trade from the [Los Angeles Rams](/page/Los Angeles_Rams) on July 11, 1979, in exchange for future draft considerations.[19] The move reunited him with head coach Chuck Knox, who had previously led the Rams' defense during Robertson's early professional years.[12] Upon arrival, Robertson signed a four-year contract extension valued at $920,000 to $1 million, which ranked him among the NFL's highest-paid linebackers at the time.[20][13] As a starting outside linebacker, Robertson anchored Buffalo's defense through a period of transition, providing veteran leadership to a relatively inexperienced linebacker group.[21] He started every game in his first three seasons (16 games each in 1979–1981) and all nine contests in the strike-shortened 1982 campaign, contributing to Bills teams that posted winning records in 1980 (11–5, AFC playoffs) and 1981 (10–6, AFC playoffs).[1] His defensive output included consistent production in pass defense and disruption, though he did not earn individual All-Pro or Pro Bowl honors during this stint, unlike his Rams tenure.[1] Key statistics from Robertson's Bills years reflect his role in run stopping and coverage:| Year | Games Started | Interceptions (Yds, TD) | Sacks | Forced Fumbles | Fumble Recoveries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 16 | 2 (29, 1) | 1.0 | 1 | 2 |
| 1980 | 16 | 2 (39, 0) | 1.5 | 0 | 1 |
| 1981 | 16 | 2 (15, 0) | 2.5 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 9 | 1 (0, 0) | 0.0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 57 | 7 (83, 1) | 5.0 | 3 | 4 |
Career Statistics and Records
Isiah Robertson appeared in 168 regular-season games across 12 NFL seasons from 1971 to 1982, starting 155 of them primarily as an outside linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills.[1] His defensive contributions included 24.5 sacks, 25 interceptions for 349 return yards and four touchdowns, 15 fumble recoveries for 47 yards and one touchdown, and four forced fumbles.[1] Tackles were not officially tracked league-wide during his era, limiting comprehensive data on that statistic.[1]| Statistic | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 168 |
| Games Started | 155 |
| Sacks | 24.5 |
| Interceptions | 25 |
| Interception Yards | 349 |
| Interception Touchdowns | 4 |
| Fumble Recoveries | 15 |
| Fumble Recovery Yards | 47 |
| Fumble Recovery Touchdowns | 1 |
| Forced Fumbles | 4 |