By Hawk Fanatic

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Former Iowa defensive lineman Derreck Robinson has passed away at the age of 43, according to multiple sources.

Robinson, a native of Minneapolis, enrolled at Iowa in 2000 and played from 2001-04 under Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz. During that time, the Hawkeyes were 38-12 and won a share of two Big Ten titles, along with Alamo, Outback, and Capital One bowls.

Robinson passed away in San Diego where he had been living and selling real estate.

Former Iowa defensive lineman Ettore Ewen, who after college would go on to earn popularity as a professional wrestler under the name “Big E” expressed his sympathy for Robinson on X.

“Incredibly sad to hear of D-Rob’s passing,” Ewen said. “The first player I met when I got to Iowa City in 2004. Always had the warmest energy and a smile that lit up the room. I’ll always be grateful for his kindness. Rest easy, my friend.”

Robinson served as an honorary captain for the Hawkeyes in a game against Michigan in Nov. 2016.

Hawkeyesports.com published an article in Nov. 2016 that highlighted Robinson’s pre-game message to the Iowa players leading up to the Michigan game.

Iowa was an underdog against second-ranked Michigan in 2016, but would go on to win 14-13 at Kinnick Stadium on a last-second field goal by Keith Duncan.

Robinson as part of his pre-game message to the Iowa players recalled a game against Wisconsin in his senior season in 2004 when the Hawkeyes were also considered an underdog, and yet, still prevail 30-7 as Robinson played a key role with seven tackles, a quarterback hurry and forced fumble.

“Just like (Saturday’s) Michigan game; they thought coach (Kirk) Ferentz couldn’t do it and we did it — we whooped them pretty bad,” Robinson said in the article published by hawkeyesports.com in 2016. “That was one of my favorite times. When you’re an underdog and you whoop that team, it makes you feel good.”

Robinson was not drafted, but the 6-foot-4, 295-pound defensive end signed with San Diego as a free agent in 2005. He also played for Miami and Cleveland before retiring in 2011.

Kirk Ferentz in the same article article published by Hawkeyesports.com in 2016 called Robinson an outstanding leader and dynamic teammate.

Ferentz also praised Robinson for overcoming adversity on an off the field as a Hawkeye.

“He had ups and downs like most players during his career,” Ferentz said. “He had trials, tribulations, good moments, bad moments, but he hung in there and developed into an outstanding football player.”

Robinson’s final game as a Hawkeye was the 30-25 victory over Louisiana State in the 2005 Capital One Bowl. Iowa won on the final play of the game as quarterback Drew Tate completed a 56-yard touchdown pass to Warren Holloway as time expired.

Robinson played defensive end for the Hawkeyes and was part of rock-solid defensive line in 2004, along with co-starters Matt Roth at defensive end and Jonathan Babineaux and Tyler Luebke at the two tackles positions.