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New Orleans Bowl Inspirational Award Recipient
Dec 11, 2003
Author:Joffray
2003 New Orleans Bowl Inspirational Award Recipient

Deljuan Robinson returned to football this year as a freshman defensive end for Mississippi State after missing last season following open-heart surgery, and only weeks after a devastating family tragedy.
Just over one year after having surgery to correct a leaky valve in his heart, a procedure that kept him hospitalized for nearly a week, Deljuan Robinson made his college debut this year against Tulane in the Louisiana Superdome on September 13th. In addition, he returned to action less than three weeks after the death of his older brother, Jerrell, in a construction-related auto accident near their hometown of Hernando.
Ron Maestri, Executive Director of the New Orleans Bowl, announced the 2003 recipient."Deljuan Robinson has proven to be a very dedicated student-athlete. His determination to overcome his physical and personal problems, is what made him our most deserving recipient of the New Orleans Bowl Inspirational Award."
It also didn't take MSU defensive line coach John Blake long to recognize Robinson’s talent or develop a relationship with Deljuan. The Robinson's tragedy hit close to home for Blake, whose father was also taken in an auto accident the same year as Deljuans brother. "Deljuan is going to have a tremendous testimony one day," Blake said. "He's going to be an example for a lot of kids." Blake also labels the highly recruited Robinson a future star. "He has a 100 mph motor. He'll run into you full speed without worrying about his body."
Commenting on Deljuan’s attitude prior to the heart surgery, his high school Coach Anthony Jenkins recalls, "Deljuan's the most loyal kid I've ever coached,”. "I remember when they came to pick him up so he could get prepped for his heart surgery. He was supposed to leave at 6:45. I had gotten caught up in traffic, so I was running late. He told the (medical personnel), 'I can't go until my coach gets here.'

Established in 2002, the New Orleans Bowl Inspirational Award is presented annually to one football student-athlete from an NCAA Division I-A institution who achieved academic and intercollegiate athletic success and demonstrated superior perseverance. The recipient is selected by a vote of the New Orleans Bowl Awards Committee. Last year’s inaugural recipient was San Jose State University’s Neil Parry, who suffered a compound fracture in a game three seasons ago, leading to the amputation of his lower right leg. As Parry lay on the field that night at Spartan Stadium, he promised himself he would play again. Twenty-five operations later, Parry fulfilled the promise this year against Nevada.

Deljuan Robinson will be honored at the New Orleans Bowl Players Luncheon at the Sheraton on Canal Street, on December 15th. Baseball legend Tommy Lasorda be the keynote speaker for the Luncheon. Media wishing to attend the event should contact:

Media Contact:
Sam Joffray
Director of Communications
Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation
1400 Poydras Suite 918
New Orleans, LA 70112
504-525-5678
cell: 504-915-9813
sjoffray@gnosf.org
http://www.gnosports.com




Deljuan Robinson


Defensive end
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 290 pounds
Class Year: Fr
Experience: HS
High School: Hernando
Hometown: Hernando, MS
2003 Season Notes:
One solo tackle and two assists versus Arkansas on 11/22/03 . . . One solo tackles versus Tennessee on 11/15/03 . . . Starting defensive tackle versus Alabama on 11/08/03 but had no recordable statistics . . . Did not play versus Kentucky on 10/25/03 . . . Made one assisted tackle versus Auburn on 10/18/03 . . . Starting defensive end versus Memphis on 10/11/03 making one solo tackle . . . Played versus Vanderbilt on 10/04/03 without recording any statistics . . . Recovered a fumble versus LSU on 9/27/03 . . . Played versus Houston on 9/20/03 without recording any statistics . . . Sarting defensive end versus Tulane on 09/13/03 making two solo tackles, and one assist . . . Made one assisted tackle in the season opener versus Oregon on 8/30/03

2002 Season Notes:
Originally signed with Mississippi State in February 2002, he did not attend school due to open heart surgery.

2001 Season Notes:
Ranked as the No. 21 prospect in the country, regardless of position, on Bobby Burton's list of the nation's top 100 players for thesportingnews.com . . . He was the fourth-ranked defensive lineman in Burton's listing . . . Earned "Defensive Player of the Year" and first-team all-state at linebacker on the Mississippi Association of Coaches' Class 4A season-ending team . . . Made 139 tackles, including 96 solo stops with 10 quarterback sacks, while playing linebacker during his senior season at Hernando (Miss.) High School

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For more information, contact:
Sam Joffray
Media and PR Director
1450 Poydras Street, Suite 918 New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 525-5678 FAX: (504) 529-1622
Cell: (504) 234-3207sjoffray@gnosf.org