Former NFL Star Dead at 52—Fans Remember His Tragic Super Bowl Story
A former All-Pro center who played for the Oakland Raiders has died at the age of 52. Even though he was one of the NFL's top players at the height of his career, Barret Robbins is best remembered for his role in one of the most unusual stories in Super Bowl history.
Raiders All-Pro Center Barret Robbins Passes at 52
On March 27, 2026, the former NFL wide receiver Tim Brown made a sad announcement on X. He revealed the news that the former Oakland Raiders center, Barret Robbins, had passed away at only 52 years old. He disclosed that he'd learned about the news from his former teammate's wife, Marisa Robbins.
"Good evening! @TheOnlyNation @Raiders @RNR920AM @RNTimes, it's with great regret that I tell you I just received a call from Marisa Robbins informing me that Raiders All-Pro center Barret Robbins passed away overnight. Thankfully, he passed peacefully in his sleep. Please pray for their girls, his family, and tons of teammates who will be affected by this! It's unfortunate that his life was never the same after he was not allowed to play in the Super Bowl! Rest Peacefully BR, you deserve it!
Good evening! @TheOnlyNation @Raiders @RNR920AM @RNTimes it's with great regret i tell you i just received a call from Marissa Robbins informing me that Raiders All Pro center Barrett Robbins passed away overnight. Thankfully, he passed peacefully in his sleep. Please pray for
— Tim Brown (@81TimBrown) March 27, 2026
Barret Robbins was born on August 26, 1973, in Houston, Texas. He played nine seasons in the NFL with the Raiders and earned All-Pro honors in 2002. While his on-field accomplishments deserve more recognition, the most memorable moment from his career came before 2003's Super Bowl XXXVII.
What Happened to Barret Robbins Before Super Bowl XXXVII
During the regular season before Super Bowl XXXVII, Barret Robbins had played a key role in the Raiders' offensive line. Sadly, however, he didn't get to play in the biggest game of the year. On Friday night before the Super Bowl, he'd left the team hotel and traveled across the border to Tijuana, Mexico, where he partied heavily. While he returned to America before Sunday, he was in such a state that he was pulled from the lineup. Ultimately, he watched the Raiders lose the Super Bowl from a hospital bed. Fans were shocked at the time. Only later did the full tragic story behind what happened to Robbins become clear.
It was later revealed that Robbins had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and he had been going through a two-week manic period when he traveled to Mexico. In July 2009, Robbins was interviewed on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. While talking to the host, he explained that he believed he had already won the Super Bowl when he was partying in Tijuana.
“I was out of my mind, out of control. My life was unimaginable. I was completely living in a fantasy world. In my mind, we had already won the Super Bowl and we were celebrating. That's how delusional I was.”
During an NBC Sports interview, Robbins discussed how medical treatment could help him during a manic episode, but asking for help became difficult for him in that state. “If when I get into a manic episode, I could ask for help, I’d be OK. But when I go into a manic episode, it’s not in me to ask for help. It doesn’t happen that way. That’s the frustrating part about it. I know what’s going on, but I’m not conscious of my decisions. I’m just basically sleepwalking.”
Fortunately, Robbins received medical help, including substance abuse treatment. Still, he told Sports Illustrated about the deep regrets he carried about missing the Super Bowl. “I get depressed on Super Bowl Sunday. It’s hard for me to watch. I think about it all the time. I hit myself in the head and say, ‘Damn, if I just could have done this or would have done that.’”
Our thoughts are with Barret Robbins' family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.