Gators’ Demarcus Robinson: “I’m not the same person I was three years ago”
INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL combine’s become a made-for-TV spectacle with players participating in Olympic-style events showcasing speed and strength. But for some players, it’s really not about the actual workouts — its about meeting with teams and addressing tough issues.
That’s been the case for former Florida Gators wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, who was suspended three times for marijuana in college and spent 45 days in a drug rehabilitation facility called Florida Recovery Center. He was tested twice a week his sophomore year and twice a month his junior year. Robinson stated that he hasn’t had a positive test since.
“I know I have made mistakes and I’ve learned from my mistakes,” Robinson said. “It’s just about telling the truth and getting it out all in the open now. I’m not the same person I was three years ago.”
That meant proving to his teammates that he cared and was committed.
“I was doing everything I could to let them know that that wasn’t me. What I was doing was selfish and really wrong of me, so I had to show them that I really wanted to be on the team.”
When asked what he learned about himself while getting treated at the private rehab los angeles for his addiction, Robinson emphasized that he wasn’t turning to marijuana as a coping mechanism or as a crutch. It was because he just liked smoking marijuana.
“I wasn’t really relying on drugs…I just knew I had to prove to my coaches I really wanted to be on the team. I had to take on some consequences for doing the actions that I did and that was one of the consequences — going to rehab.”
