WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Oftentimes, the pit bull dog comes with a certain type of stigma. They are famously associated with being aggressive, vicious and tenacious… to the point where many people are quick to highlight negative stories.

However, there is another side to this frequently documented personality. You see, a well-bred pit bull possesses strong characteristics of love, loyalty, companionship and dedication. Therefore, as with many other groups and cultures in the world, it's probably more fair that each pit bull be evaluated by their own merits and not by the general breed.

No better example might exist than 2005 Otterbein graduate Micheaux (pronounced mee-shy) Robinson, who recently finished his 12th year of professional football and has refused to slow down despite entering the final stage of his career. Nicknamed "The Pit Bull," he stands just 5-9 and 180 pounds but blossomed into one of the top defensive backs in Arena Football League (AFL) history.

"I knew from the first day of preseason camp that he was special," said former Otterbein head coach Joe Loth, who led the Cardinals from 2003-11. "He had elite speed, great change of direction and was just a natural football player."

A native of Fostoria, Robinson earned All-American honors for the Cardinals as a standout DB and returner, ultimately graduating as the program's career record holder for most interceptions.

"There was a time where I didn't know if I would even go to college," Robinson reflected. "Scholarships weren't coming and there were moments in high school where I wasn't sure what could be next. Otterbein gave me that chance to rejuvenate myself as a person and reestablish who I was as an athlete. I will always appreciate the opportunity to promote the school, showcase my talents and represent my hometown."

Similar to high school, Micheaux again wasn't sure what could be next after his time at Otterbein or what opportunities even existed beyond the NFL. He just wanted to keep playing.

Determined and motivated to start anywhere, he promptly took an opportunity in 2005 with the Wyoming Calvary of the National Indoor Football League (NIFL). His efforts led to a signing with the Orlando Predators of the AFL in 2007 after Les Moss, director of player personnel, noticed Robinson while watching a DVD copy of a game. Jay Gruden, now head coach of the Washington Redskins, was leading the Predators at the time.

 

"In addition to being a great man-to-man corner, Micheaux was a great teammate that led by example," Moss said. "He came to work every day, on time, and always maintained the values he learned from his family. It set him apart from others."

Orlando eventually cut Robinson when sorting its 2007 playoff roster, but that didn't stop his pursuit of success in pro football. He decided to go play for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers in the AFL Developmental League for 2008-09 and continue proving himself.

As fate would have it, Moss was hired as the inaugural head coach of the AFL's Jacksonville Sharks (expansion franchise) in 2010… and Robinson was his first call.

"I never doubted my abilities from little league until now," Robinson said confidently. "It was just a matter of God blessing me with opportunities and then which coaches, schools or organizations decided to believe in me. Coach Moss was one of those believers."

Robinson has been with the Sharks every season since, but also played with the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes and then the Philadelphia Soul back in the AFL for better financial opportunities. He served brief stints with both organizations but ultimately returned to Jacksonville for good in 2012.

Today, Robinson stands as Jacksonville's all-time leader in tackles, pass breakups and interceptions and is the only player in franchise history to compete for the team every season. He helped the Sharks make two ArenaBowl appearances, including a championship victory in 2011 when he was named Defensive Player of the Game. He set an AFL single-season record with 51 pass breakups that year.

"He is the perfect role model for a small-school type of player," Moss said. "If you have a dream and are willing to try and try again in the pursuit, then who knows what might happen. As long as you are playing, you have a shot. Micheaux went to Wyoming, and sent film out. Then went to play somewhere else, and sent film out again. He kept playing and playing, wherever and whenever, in pursuit of his dream. Now he's going to go down as one of the best defensive backs in the history of arena football."

"It's amazing that he has the God-given ability to play football this long," Loth added. "It doesn't matter if you're in the Arena League, up in Canada, in the NFL or anywhere else… there is a level of talent that you need to last. For him to be doing it for this long is a testament to his hard work. Usually you don't get to decide when you stop playing football, but he probably will."

Life is not easy for anyone, and the general public can oftentimes forget there are two sides to a professional athlete… the player and the person. As aggressive and tenacious as Robinson has needed to be on the field, like a pit bull, he has never relinquished the other traits that make the dog a unique breed and him a special human being.

In 2015, he was slowed by preseason injuries and took a backseat to promising newcomer Greg Reid, who seized the starting spot and ultimately earned AFL Rookie of the Year honors. Robinson spent five months on recallable injured reserve… waiting, healing and hoping. He went to every practice, working on the sidelines to stay in shape. He went to every scrimmage, barking instructions to younger players.

"Micheaux is one of my all-time favorite players," said Loth, now the head coach at Western Connecticut State. "He is upbeat, a valuable teammate and the epitome of what you want as a coach. You can't ask for more than a talented guy with a great attitude."

In a fitting scenario, Robinson was activated prior to Jacksonville's appearance in the 2015 ArenaBowl due to another defensive back's injury. Although the Sharks lost, Robinson stepped in to assume a key role and was there for his teammates when it mattered most. It was the only game he played in all season.

"The fact is that opportunities come to some that don't come to others," Robinson said. "Some people play the lottery every day and never win, and others might play a few times and hit the mega millions. There is a plan and purpose for you, so I always stay ready."

Micheaux then faced personal tragedy in late March of 2016, just a few days before his birthday, while gearing up for another training camp. His father, Russell Robinson, died at the age of 67 after a bout with diabetes. His older brother, Takise, then passed away three months later with a unique form of spinal cancer. He was just 40 years old.

"I have unfortunately had plenty of deaths around me in my life, but those obviously hit me in a different place," said Robinson, one of six children. "It opened my eyes to the importance of acknowledging people and expressing your love consistently. Don't let gaps go by where you lose contact or don't share true feelings. Sometimes it can feel awkward and vulnerable, but it's better than not taking advantage of relationships before life ends...

"My dad was the motivation and main reason for continuing to play so long," Robinson added. "It was a highlight of his life to see me out there representing our family name on the back of a jersey. He lived through his kids and I extended my career because of him. It gave him a reason to keep fighting the illness, so he could travel to watch me play. It was amazing."

As you can imagine, Robinson played sparingly throughout the 2016 season as he attended funerals and spent time with loved ones. Those moments only enhanced his ambition to keep playing and display his last name in the spotlight.

"He comes from a great family," said Moss, who left the Sharks near the end of the 2016 campaign. "They are strong, hardworking people from Central Ohio and that's where Micheaux gets his strength. He has always been a survivor and really grew into a solid man. I'll always remember his loyalty."

The Sharks announced a switch from the AFL to the newly-formed National Arena League (NAL) last year, and there was Robinson every step of the way. He led the team in tackling, helped win the 2017 championship in July and earned second team All-NAL Defensive honors.

His grind never stops, evident by the multiple offseason jobs he works to stay productive and obtain more income. Arena players earn modest salaries, but most hold non-football jobs as well.

Robinson works camps and clinics between seasons, gives personal training sessions and even spoke for this story while on break from working detail at a BMW dealership. He did the other half of his interview while persevering through Hurricane Irma, which left him without power for multiple days. Regardless of any struggles, setbacks or uphill battles, he focuses on improving each day and progressing forward.

"I tell young people all the time to keep believing in themselves," said Robinson. "There will be a lot of things in life that you feel like you should or could have, but you might not get it. If you give up what you have a passion for, you'll never know what the outcome could be. There will be a lot of naysayers who look to break you down and tell you what you're not capable of doing. Keep the special people close and remember what drives you."

Robinson's playing career is approaching the finish line, but he remains adamant about suiting up until the wheels fall off and is confident that football will continue showing him the next steps, perhaps into a coaching role. He relishes every opportunity to better himself while never forgetting where he comes from.

"The vibe and camaraderie at Otterbein was inspiring," Robinson said in conclusion. "The environment taught me what it's like to work with different personalities and the responsibility of representing something bigger than yourself. I couldn't have asked for more."

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, and in each step afterwards we evolve to represent ourselves through certain emotions and characteristics. In this case, the pit bull can be beauty without vanity, strength without insolence and courage without ferocity. Because that's Micheaux Robinson.