Tony Robinson, ex-Tennessee QB, featured in ESPN 30 for 30 film about 1987 Redskins

Tony Robinson’s football career was like a supernova.

Robinson shined bright in big moments, landing on magazine covers and having movies made about his exploits.

But the illumination disintegrated quickly, waylaid by an injury and then a string of drug convictions, probation violations, forgeries and prison stints.

The former University of Tennessee quarterback will be back in the spotlight next month when “Year of the Scab” makes its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.

An ESPN Films release, “Year of the Scab” chronicles the temporary replacement players for the Washington Redskins that filled in for boycotting players during the 1987 NFL season.

Washington’s “scabs” were a collection of castoffs like Robinson that led the team to a 3-0 record before the strike ended. The movie revisits their underdog story and what happened in the aftermath as they watched the Redskins go on to win the Super Bowl.

Robinson, 53, is flying from Knoxville to New York to watch the premiere on April 27.

“I am excited about it. It’s been going on for two years, so I want to see how it turned out,” Robinson said. “It’s going to tell our story. We were a talented team that jelled pretty well together in that short time.”

Robinson’s NFL career consisted of only those three games and he played in only one.

But the one appearance was memorable, an upset that still resonates. The Redskins traveled to Dallas on Oct. 19 to face the rival Cowboys on a Monday night.

Although the Redskins were filled with replacement players, several of the Cowboys’ star players, including Danny White, Ed “Too Tall” Jones and Tony Dorsett, had rejoined the team as the strike neared its end.

Robinson watched from the sideline while Ed Rubbert made his third straight start at quarterback for the Redskins. But Rubbert was injured late in the first quarter, and Robinson made his NFL debut.

Robinson guided the Redskins to a 13-7 win, completing 11 of 18 passes for 152 yards and two interceptions.

“That was a great moment. I am not a Cowboys fan, but all of my friends that I grew up with are Cowboys fans,” said Robinson, a native of Tallahassee, Fla. “It was a wonderful dream come true to play against the Dallas Cowboys and actually have a chance to talk a little trash to my friends once I got back home.”

Robinson’s place in NFL history may never have happened if not for a deal he was offered stemming from a drug conviction.

Robinson’s star was on the rise entering UT’s 1985 Sugar Bowl season. The senior was a potential high draft pick and lived up to the billing early.

Robinson engineered an upset of No. 1 Auburn at Neyland Stadium that landed him on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

But Robinson suffered an ACL injury when two Alabama defenders tackled him in mid-October, and his life began to spiral downward amidst a litany of drug problems and arrests. One of the Alabama defenders was linebacker Cornelius Bennett, whose son, Kivon, will be a freshman defensive lineman at UT in the fall. 

At the time of the knee injury, Robinson recalled Bennett saying, "T-man. Stay down. You're hurt. I can feel it."

A few months later, Robinson and UT teammate B.B. Cooper were arrested for selling cocaine to an undercover police officer.

Sentenced to nine months in prison, Robinson was eventually given a deal after serving the first six months. He would be allowed to pursue a career in professional football if he returned to serve his last three months once the season ended.

Robinson started with a semipro team in Richmond, Va. The coach of the Richmond Ravens knew then-Redskins coach Joe Gibbs and recommended Robinson to Gibbs during the NFL strike.

After Robinson helped the Redskins beat the Cowboys, the strike ended and he was cut. A few months later, Robinson watched the Redskins beat the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl from prison.

“I had to finish my time. That was the stipulation,” Robinson said. “I tried my best not to, but things didn’t work out. At least I got the chance to watch the game. A lot of the guys in there were Denver fans, but my team won.”

Robinson never had another chance in the NFL. His drug arrests continued until he cleaned up his life following his final prison stint in 2008.

John Dorsey, the producer for “Year of the Scab,” explored Robinson’s personal story deeper during the filming.

“John read up on the whole thing of what happened to me. He was like, ‘Man, you got a raw deal,’ ” Robinson said. “He was pretty much right on. But I learned my lesson. From back then to now, I couldn’t be happier. I have a great time here in Knoxville and the people and fans treat me like I never left. We have the best fans. I’m glad to be back.”

A film crew visited Robinson when he was living in Tallahassee to capture footage for the movie.

“They spent the whole day with me and followed me around work,” Robinson said. “I coached a Pee-Wee football team back then and they came to the game for interviews with the players.”

Robinson’s relationship with UT unraveled during the turbulent years of his life. He declined to participate in the 20th anniversary of the 1985 team, but has since reconnected with the program.

He was honored as a Vol “Legend of the Game” in 2013 against Auburn and moved back to Knoxville to pursue a sociology degree with help from the VFL program.

Robinson works as a painter, trains quarterbacks and umpires local high school and middle school baseball games. If he's not working, he can usually be found fishing.

“I am just trying to give back and keep my high school coach’s quarterback teaching alive,” Robinson said. “He was really one of the best. He was a giver and I wanted to keep his teaching going on.”

Robinson is hoping “Year of the Scab” enlightens viewers on the brief and largely anonymous existence of the NFL replacement players.

Dorsey flew Robinson and his teammates to Washington, D.C., for a sit-down interview at the start of the filming process.

“It was like a small reunion for us. I have talked with a couple of the guys since then,” Robinson said. “I’ve emailed a few of them and we try to stay in touch a little better now. Hopefully that continues after this.”