'Such a shame he's not a starter': Massillon football's Shon Robinson takes advantage of role

MASSILLON —  Shon Robinson is described in various ways.

He’s also been given different nicknames:

• "Preacher Man," for reciting a biblical scripture in front of his teammates, plus, his grandfather, Anthony Robinson Sr., is a pastor.

• "Sho Ridaa," because whenever he shows up, he shows out.

• "Sho," a shortened version of "Sho Ridaa"

His coach describes the senior another way, "perfect teammate."

“It’s such a shame that this guy is not a starter,” Massillon head coach Nate Moore said. “It’s just what it is with the amount of good players that you have, but they buy in and just want you to win games. They just want to be on the field in any way possible as a Massillon Tiger.

"That’s who Shon is. We have so much respect for those guys. And we love Shon and respect for him. We wouldn’t be where without him and guys like him.”

Massillon enters Saturday afternoon's annual rivalry game with McKinley with a 9-0 record and as the state's No. 1-ranked team in Division II, according to The Associated Press. The Tigers also have clinched the top seed in Division II, Region 7 for the state playoffs.

Robinson has helped make that happen with his work as a backup middle linebacker, a position considered the strength of Massillon’s elite defense.

There are times when Robinson’s name is called, and his impact goes unnoticed. In Week 6 vs. Middletown (Del.), Cody Fair left with an injury in the second half. Robinson replaced Fair and finished the game as the leading tackler, with seven total, including a sack. Last season, in the first round of the playoffs against Perry, after All-Ohio linebacker Dorian Pringle was injured, Robinson entered and tied Fair for the team lead in total tackles (7).

“It meant a lot to show people what I can do and make a lot of good plays and big plays, and I want to thank my defense and also my coaches for helping me out because they help me (with) what I do best,” Robinson said.

Robinson also makes an impact on special teams. He successfully ran a fake punt vs. St. John’s (D.C.), taking the snap and running for a first down. However, of all the special teams units he is on, he enjoys kickoff the most, where he plays the position called dart.

“The dart is when you go towards the ball,” Robinson explained. “... You go straight to the ball wherever it goes. It’s fun to go down there with some steam and try to knock somebody’s head off.”

Shon Robinson follows family's footsteps, but in a Massillon football uniform

Before Robinson enrolled in high school, he made a tough decision about where he wanted to attend school. It was either McKinley, where his family is rooted, or Massillon. He told his dad, Anthony Robinson Jr., who starred at McKinley, he wanted to start a new path and chose to be a Tiger. His dad also is involved in the football program, coaching the freshman team.

“Shon is a great player," Moore said. "He probably would start for other teams in the county if he weren’t here. He’s a guy who loves Massillon, loves our program, and has bought into his role as a backup linebacker, a special teams phenom. He’s an excellent special teams player who makes plays and impacts the game, and that is something that great teams have."

Robinson is the nephew of former McKinley star and current Chicago Bears defensive end Dominique Robinson. They consistently remain in contact with one another. Shon shows his uncle highlight tapes of his games, and Dominique offers feedback and critiques.

“It means a lot to play behind my uncle,” Shon said. “He’s a great player and I look up to him a lot. I text him a lot throughout the day, asking him for help and ways that I can be better in what should I do, and what should I eat to make sure my body is healthy.”

Shon soaks all the advice he receives from his older relatives, including his dad.

“My dad keeps me motivated,” Shon said. “He sends me quotes to keep me motivated. It means a lot.”

The best advice he received from his dad involves his size. Among Massillon linebackers, Shon is the smallest at 5-foot-8, 175 pounds.

‘Even though you’re small, use that to your advantage," is something Shon's dad tells him.

"That’s one thing that I keep in my head for how small I am,” he said. “I always go out of my way just to use that to my advantage.”

A combination of speed with a wrestling background helps Shon take on bigger blockers and make plays.

“I think I’m a very quick player when it comes to reading offenses,” Shon said, “So, I am able to fit through tight holes with a lineman. I think it’s kind of hard to catch me. I've tried to use it to my best advantage as much as I can.”

Shon enjoys football but also loves wrestling. Last winter, he earned third-team all-county in wrestling.

“I love it when I’m playing great in both sports, Shon said. “Sometimes, when it goes bad, it can be doubting. I can find a way to pick myself back up and keep pushing through it, and we all go through that.”

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Massillon football linebacker Shon Robinson proving a team player