Ex-Bears DL Bryan Robinson, 41, Found Dead In Milwaukee Motel Room

Bryan Robinson, a 41-year-old former Chicago Bears defensive lineman, was found dead in a Milwaukee motel room on Saturday.

Ex-Bears DL Bryan Robinson, 41, Found Dead In Milwaukee Motel Room

Robinson, a 14-year NFL veteran, was pronounced dead at 10:17 pm after being found at the Midpoint Motel. An autopsy performed Monday found no trauma, and the cause of death is pending results of toxicology tests. Milwaukee police told the Chicago Tribune there were no signs of foul play or otherwise suspicious behavior, and that they are investigating the situation as a sudden death. It remains unknown why Robinson was at the Midpoint Motel.

Robinson had his best years with the Bears from 1998 to 2003, registering 16.5 of his 24 career sacks. He also played in Super Bowl XLIII in 2009 with the Arizona Cardinals, who lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-23. He retired in 2010 after playing his last season with the Cardinals. He also had brief stints with the Miami Dolphins and the Cincinnati Bengals.

One of the defensive tackle’s most memorable moments was on Nov. 7, 1999, when the Bears played the Green Bay Packers in their first game after Hall of Famer Walter Payton’s death. The Bears had lost 10 consecutive games to the Packers, but Robinson blocked a field goal attempt as time expired to give Chicago a 14-13 victory.

“I think Walter Payton actually picked me up a little bit and boosted me up in the air because I can’t jump that high,” Robinson said after the game, according to the Tribune. “Walter had a lot to do with it. I know he did.”

The defenseman began his NFL career with the St. Louis Rams, who signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Fresno State in 1997. After one season with the Rams, he signed with the Bears.

“He became one of my better friends on the team,” former Chicago middle linebacker Brian Urlacher said, according to the Tribune. “B-Rob was very good at what he did and he never made mental mistakes. He always knew where to be and he knew where other guys were supposed to be and he didn’t accept that when other guys screwed up.”

“He didn’t fit Lovie’s system,” Urlacher continued, referring to Bears coach Lovie Smith, who let Robinson go in a cost-saving move in 2004. “Lovie had a speed defense and B-Rob was good at what he did but he was kind of a clog up the middle guy. He made plays but he freed other guys up to make plays too and he was good at it. He was definitely one of the leaders of the team my first few years.”

The Bears issued a statement regarding Robinson’s death on Monday, saying: “We are saddened to hear of the loss of Bryan Robinson. He will be remembered for the determination and work ethic he displayed on the field over his six years in Chicago. The Bears and our fans will always be indebted to him for his game-saving blocked field goal in Green Bay six days after Walter Payton’s passing. Our prayers are with Bryan and his family.”

He would have been 42 on June 22.

PHOTO: DENVER – NOVEMBER 23: Defensive end Bryan Robinson #98 of the Chicago Bears takes a break during the game against the Denver Broncos on November 23, 2003 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. The Bears defeated the Broncos 19-10. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)