Barrett Robbins, a former Pro Bowl center for the Raiders, who famously went missing before the 2003 Super Bowl, has passed away at the age of 52. The team made this announcement on Friday.
Tim Brown, a Raiders great and Robbins’ former teammate, shared on Twitter early Friday that he received word from Robbins’ ex-wife, Marisa, that he died “peacefully” in his sleep.
“Our thoughts and condolences go out to Mr. Barrett’s family and friends during this hard time,” the team expressed.
Robbins was selected by the Raiders in the second round of the 1995 draft. He played with the team for nine seasons, from 1995 to 2003.
His standout year was in 2002, when the Raiders made it to the Super Bowl but were defeated 48-21 by the Buccaneers. That same year, he earned his only Pro Bowl selection and was named to the All-Pro First Team.
However, that season took a turn for the worse. Robbins was suspended by then-coach Bill Callahan after disappearing the day before a game in San Diego.
In a 2003 interview, Robbins revealed that he began experiencing bipolar disorder the Wednesday before the game, leading him to drink heavily out of fear.
He left the team hotel for Tijuana around 11 p.m. on Friday night.
“I remember Friday morning, Saturday morning, somewhere on the beach, just trying to find my way home… I got lost,” Robbins recounted to ESPN. He thought he was celebrating a Super Bowl victory.
“I know it sounds strange,” he continued, “but that’s how my mind was working… I was eventually found at another bar in San Diego and someone helped me get home. I don’t remember much else after that.”
Brown expressed his sadness over Robbins’ struggles, wishing things had turned out differently. He mentioned how Robbins’ life had never been the same since he wasn’t able to play in the Super Bowl. “Rest in peace, BR; you deserve it!” he added.
Robbins mentioned that he later went to rehab to address his substance abuse and bipolar issues.
The Raiders re-signed him for his final season in 2003, during which he played in nine games.
Over his career, Robbins participated in 121 games and started in 105 after his college stint at TCU.
After retiring, he faced several legal challenges, including multiple arrests.
In 2005, Robbins was shot during an altercation and faced three counts of attempted felony murder involving Florida police officers.
“Please keep their daughters, his family, and all the teammates affected by this in your thoughts,” Brown urged.
