Craig Robertson (American football) facts for kids
.JPG)
Robertson with the Cleveland Browns in 2012
|
|||||||||||||
| No. 52, 53 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born: | February 11, 1988 Stafford, Texas, U.S. |
||||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 234 lb (106 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | Stafford | ||||||||||||
| College: | North Texas (2006–2010) | ||||||||||||
| Undrafted: | 2011 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||
Craig Robertson (born February 11, 1988) is a former professional American football player. He played as a linebacker in the NFL. Robertson started his NFL journey with the Cleveland Browns in 2011. Before that, he played college football at North Texas.
Contents
Early Life and High School Years
Craig Robertson grew up in Stafford, Texas. He went to Stafford High School.
During his high school years, Craig was a very talented athlete. He played many different sports and positions in football, like quarterback, running back, and even kicker! He was also a star in basketball and baseball. Besides sports, Craig was a great student and was part of the student council. After high school, he decided to play football at the University of North Texas. Craig is one of only a few players from Stafford High School who made it to the NFL.
College Football Career
When Craig first joined North Texas, coaches thought he would play safety. But they soon saw how strong and physical he was. They decided he would be a better fit as a linebacker.
After a year of training, Craig became a starting linebacker. He kept that position for the rest of his college career. He was recognized as an All-America player in his first year. Later, he earned Sun Belt All-Conference honors twice. In his senior year, he led the conference in tackles, showing how good he was at stopping opponents. While in college, Craig also joined a fraternity called Omega Psi Phi.
Professional Football Journey
Craig Robertson was not chosen by any team in the 2011 NFL draft. This means he was an undrafted free agent. Even though he wasn't drafted, he still worked hard to get into the NFL.
Playing for the Cleveland Browns (2011–2015)
Craig got his first chance with the Cleveland Browns. They signed him to their practice squad in December 2011.
2012 Season: A Strong Start
In 2012, Craig signed a contract with the Browns. He worked hard in training camp to earn a spot on the team. He became a backup linebacker.
Because some other players were injured or suspended, Craig got to play right away. He made his first professional game appearance against the Philadelphia Eagles. In that game, he made nine tackles and even caught his first career interception! This means he caught a pass thrown by the opposing team's quarterback. Later that season, he got his first start and made his first sack, tackling the quarterback. Craig finished his first full season with 93 tackles, two interceptions, and one sack. He showed he could cover tight ends well.
2013 Season: Becoming a Starter
In 2013, Craig competed for a starting spot as an inside linebacker. He earned the job and started the season as a key player for the Browns.
He continued to make many tackles and sacks. In one game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he made 11 solo tackles. He played in 14 games that season, starting all of them. He ended the year with 85 tackles, three sacks, and another interception.
2014 Season: Consistent Play
The Browns kept Craig for the 2014 season. He again competed for a starting spot and won it.
He had another strong year, making 99 tackles and two interceptions. In a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, he intercepted a pass and helped the Browns win. He was one of the top-ranked inside linebackers in the league that year.
2015 Season: Dealing with Injuries
In 2015, Craig signed another contract with the Browns. He started the season as a backup but still played a lot.
He suffered an ankle injury early in the season, which made him miss four games. When he returned, he continued to contribute. In the last game of the season, he intercepted a pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He finished the year with 59 tackles and one interception. After this season, Craig became a free agent, meaning he could sign with any team.
Joining the New Orleans Saints (2016–2020)
In March 2016, Craig signed a three-year contract with the New Orleans Saints.
2016 Season: New Team, Big Impact
Craig quickly made an impact with the Saints. He became a starting weakside linebacker.
In his first game with the Saints, he made 11 tackles. The next week, he had a season-high 13 tackles. He also made an interception against the San Francisco 49ers and got his first sack as a Saint. He missed one game due to a shoulder injury. Craig finished the 2016 season with a career-high 115 tackles, one sack, and one interception.
2017 Season: Playoff Appearance
In 2017, Craig continued to be an important player for the Saints. He started as a backup but became a starter again after another player got injured.
He had a great game against the Detroit Lions, making 11 tackles and a sack. He also intercepted a pass against the New York Jets. Craig finished the season with 80 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions. The Saints had a fantastic season, finishing first in their division. Craig played in his first career playoff game, helping the Saints win against the Carolina Panthers. They later lost a close game to the Minnesota Vikings in the next round.
Later Years with the Saints (2018–2020)
In 2018, Craig played in all 16 games, mostly on special teams and as a backup. He continued to be a valuable part of the team. In 2019, he signed a new contract with the Saints. He played in 15 games that year.
Craig Robertson announced his retirement from professional football on March 11, 2022. He had a long and successful career in the NFL.
Images for kids
-
Robertson covering Jared Cook in 2014
-
Robinson with the Browns in 2015
.jpg)
.jpg)
