Raiders LB Robbins Has Bipolar Disorder

[Mom23boys]

**I guess this is why he walked away before the Super Bowl and noone knew where he was.


Agent LB Robbins Has Bipolar Disorder
The Associated Press
Feb 4 2003 3:26AM

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - The mystery surrounding Oakland Raiders center Barret Robbins has become a little clearer.

Robbins' agent confirmed Monday that the All-Pro lineman who disappeared the night before the Super Bowl has bipolar disorder, and he expressed ``remorse and deep sadness'' for missing the game.

Robbins remains hospitalized because of his condition, though he has left San Diego, agent Drew Pittman told the San Francisco Chronicle.

Pittman also released a statement on behalf of Robbins.

``Barret would like to express his remorse and deep sadness for the events surrounding the Super Bowl,'' the statement said. ``He knows many people have been hurt by his actions, including his family, his teammates, the Raider organization, the Raider Nation, and the game of football.''

The statement, which also acknowledged that alcohol was a factor in Robbins' troubles, marked the first time he has commented publicly since he disappeared Jan. 25, the day before the Raiders' 48-21 Super Bowl loss to Tampa Bay in San Diego.

Robbins missed two meetings and a walkthrough, and Raiders coach Bill Callahan said Robbins was incoherent and didn't know where he was when he showed up Saturday night. Callahan dismissed him, and Adam Treu started in his place.

The 6-foot-3, 320-pound Robbins has a history of depression and reportedly had stopped taking his medication. A friend who told a newspaper he'd been drinking with Robbins the night before the game said Robbins was despondent and talked about suicide.

Pittman said Robbins' football future is uncertain, but last week Callahan left open the possibility he could return to the team.

Pittman has not returned multiple calls from The Associated Press.

Raiders senior assistant Bruce Allen said he had no response to Pittman's statement, except that the team has ``been monitoring the situation from the beginning.''

Robbins was harshly criticized by teammates at first, but the revelations about his medical problems, as well as his apology, has muted some of the resentment.

``If he has a health problem, it's a different situation,'' left guard Frank Middleton said Monday after returning from the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Middleton had not heard about Robbins' apology.

``It does change some things,'' he said.

Robbins, 29, made the Pro Bowl for the first time this season, his eighth in the NFL, but did not play Sunday in Honolulu. A year after missing the final 14 games of 2001 with an injured right knee, he was a pivotal part of an offensive line that helped the Raiders produce the league's top offense.

[aylasmommy]

That's great they were more understanding once they found out his condition.

On my last hospitilization, about two days before I was able to go home, a big huge guy was admitted and he became friends with me. He convinced the workers to get us cake late at night then shared it with me. He was just so sweet! He told me he was a football player, and I thought it was strange and kind of didn't beleive him, until some of the workers started coming and saying "Aren't you....??" And then shaking his hand. I wish I could remember who he was but I would guess he played for either the Raiders or the 49ers since those are the teams around here...

But that's the sad thing bipolar(and other diseases/disorders) know no limits and it can hit anyone. I feel sad for him that he got sick right before what was maybe the biggest event of his career. But it's so understandable why he would since that would be a huge trigger (playing in the superbowl) for me, at least.