Shutdown Corner - NFL

On Sunday, Houston Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson(notes) wore shoes bearing a message designed to get him more money. They ended up having the exact opposite effect.

Robinson was fined $25,000 yesterday for wearing customized Nike cleats with the words "Pay Me Rick" written on the heel during the team's season opener Sunday. The message was intended for Texans GM Rick Smith, who had placed the franchise tag on Robinson after failing to sign him to a long-term contract over the offseason. After sitting out all of training camp because of the dispute, Robinson finally signed the one-year tender a week before the season began. It will pay him $9.957 million in 2009, or $9.932 million after he pays that fine.

But don't let the shoes fool you into thinking that Robinson is a guy concerned only about making money and not the betterment of the team. As he told The Houston Chronicle about the shoes:

"It's just a little reminder for myself what I'm playing for. It's a reminder that this is what we're here for."

Oh, nevermind.

At least he's sorry though:

"It was over a long time ago. I've moved on."

Or not.

A long time ago? Robinson issued that quote 72 hours after the game. In what realm could that be considered a long time? Even a gnat would be like, "dude, that's nothing."

To be fair, Robinson did say on Monday that he was "sorry if I offended anybody." Serena Williams would have been proud of the non-apology apology. (Speaking of tennis, maybe Robinson should have gone to Melanie Oudin's boyfriend for advice on what to write on his shoes. It worked wonders for Oudin's game and had the added bonus of not costing her 25 grand.)

After Robinson pays the fine, expect Rick Smith to spend $140 of it on rebuttal cleats.

Big thanks to The Houston Chronicle for all the help with this post.

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2467 Comments

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  1. Doc (aka Dr. Feelgood)
    1950. Posted by Doc (aka Dr. Feelgood) Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:01 am EDT

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    This is some of that dumb S _ _ t "no" story........ why can't he say what he feels, oh yea! He makes a lot of money so he should sit down and shut up...... I bet those who are complaining about what he did, do like wise when they see someone on their job making more than they do.... we make too much out of nothing
  2. SexyGyrlStarr
    1951. Posted by SexyGyrlStarr Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:02 am EDT

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    I believe he deserved that little cash from rick smith,
  3. SexyGyrlStarr
    1952. Posted by SexyGyrlStarr Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:02 am EDT

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    I believe he deserved that little cash from rick smith,
  4. SHAWN
    1953. Posted by SHAWN Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:03 am EDT

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    They need to start fining these players who cause controversy 1 million dollars. That goes for all sports. They will never get it if the fine is not high. 25,000 wont effect their wallets at all. Make it hurt.
  5. Eric
    1954. Posted by Eric Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:05 am EDT

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    Just pay me 1 mill and i`ll show my bare but with what ever u want written on it.
    Jeez,9 mill?
  6. Nick
    1955. Posted by Nick Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:05 am EDT

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    Yeah, no [profane]e! Boo frickin hoo. I am only making 9 million a year and am going to "send a message" about how low that is...considering I would be making minimum wage, with no education, if I did not have physical talent. These guys sure tear me up...I love football so much, but to hear a chump (and 2nd tier player) beetch about "only" making 9.5 mil makes me sick. Try making ends meet off of what WE all make there buddy...then you may have something to complain about!
  7. John
    1956. Posted by John Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:09 am EDT

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    This why I favor college football over the "PRO'S" . Once they make the Pro's, they are not as good, because they care about the game anymore. They should play in the nfl a year or so the see if they are real or not...Just a bunch of over paid babies.......
  8. jake.thompson78
    1957. Posted by jake.thompson78 Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:13 am EDT

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    thats messed up!
  9. John R
    1958. Posted by John R Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:14 am EDT

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    Ni@@er
  10. momof2
    1959. Posted by momof2 Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:16 am EDT

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    Whenever I see this I think about what our military men and women make on the "front lines" and abroad.
    Look what they get paid! This man is playing a game for millions of dollars! I love football but this kind of thing puts things in perspective!
  11. momof2
    1960. Posted by momof2 Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:16 am EDT

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    Whenever I see this I think about what our military men and women make on the "front lines" and abroad.
    Look what they get paid! This man is playing a game for millions of dollars! I love football but this kind of thing puts things in perspective!
  12. DEAN K
    1961. Posted by DEAN K Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:18 am EDT

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    MONEY HUNGRY WHORE!!! No 1 man is worth that kind of money!
  13. lucy
    1962. Posted by lucy Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:18 am EDT

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    All you FANS OF FOOTBALL is what allows these players to make the money they make!!! IT'S THE PUBLIC THAT PAYS THEM, with season tickets and pay per views and on and on. So if you want to dis him for 9 mil, then you should start asking yourself, how much of that have you PAID on NFL gear/games?? Don't hate. He's upset cause the other players make MUCH MUCH MORE!! So deal with it. I think the fine for his shoes is OUTRAGEOUS, but I don't see anyone here saying I want to be fined an unGodly amount of money for wearing shoes of my choice. DUH.
  14. Beth B
    1963. Posted by Beth B Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:22 am EDT

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    I know I wish i could get 8 mill as well. It makes me very mad at these players always complaning about not getting money. they just need to be quiet about that. there alot of people right now that don't even have jobs. who can't go to games. can't afford to go to games.
  15. kaitlinalmanza@...
    1964. Posted by kaitlinalmanza@... Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:22 am EDT

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    when the going gets rough, the players start expecting more money. wtf?
  16. dnorth3371
    1965. Posted by dnorth3371 Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:24 am EDT

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    with a name like Dunta im suprised he knew how to spell pay me
  17. JohnH
    1966. Posted by JohnH Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:25 am EDT

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    Man I wish i had 9 mil my Jets been sitting for a minute now. LOL!!!!
  18. JohnH
    1967. Posted by JohnH Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:26 am EDT

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    Man I wish i had 9 mil my Jets been sitting for a minute now. LOL
  19. Noosic
    1968. Posted by Noosic Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:26 am EDT

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    He is a disgusting lazy N. I am really starting to resent those people. Live with the rules the rest of the world lives with your spoiled brat. I can't stand you people. I really can't STAND you.
  20. lana c
    1969. Posted by lana c Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:28 am EDT

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    This dude is complaining about $9 million! Can anyone imagine how far that type of money would go towards the firemen, policemen, and teachers salaries? This is just
    a huge sickness!
  21. Eric
    1970. Posted by Eric Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:30 am EDT

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    Ass wipe... On his current pace of one tackle a game, Robinson will bring home about $563,000 per tackle.
  22. Eric
    1971. Posted by Eric Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:32 am EDT

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    Oh, check that... The Ass wipe will draw $622,312.50 a tackle.
  23. Jake
    1972. Posted by Jake Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:32 am EDT

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    1st one
  24. julian
    1973. Posted by julian Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:32 am EDT

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    i never heard of dunta robinson an who cares about the texans
  25. AngryDwarf
    1974. Posted by AngryDwarf Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:32 am EDT

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    Stop complaining and go try out and take over job. Don't hate him because he has the skills and that's what the market pays for his job. Some would say paying $7/hr to flip burgers is outrageous.

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