Jan. 12, 2012
University of South Carolina defensive tackle Travian Robertson has accepted an invitation to play in the 87th East-West Shrine Game®. The Game will be held Jan. 21, 2012 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., kicking off at 4 p.m. EST and televised live on the NFL Network.
Robertson, a 6-4, 303-pounder from Laurinburg, N.C., logged 49 tackles during his senior season, including 8.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. For his career, he played in 56 contests starting 31 times, with 123 tackles including 21.0 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Robertson graduated in May with a degree in criminal justice.
Robertson joins an elite list of football greats, such as John Elway, Tom Brady, Brett Favre, and 62 NFL Hall of Famers, who have played in the East-West Shrine Game along with 52 players currently on active NFL rosters.
Recent Gamecock players to participate in the East-West Shrine Game include Jabari Levey (2005), Syvelle Newton (2006), Cory Boyd (2007), Jasper Brinkley and Jamon Meredith (2008), Darian Stewart (2009) and Patrick DiMarco (2010).
“The East-West Shrine Game has always fielded players among college football’s best,” said East-West Shrine Game Executive Director Harold Richardson. “With all 32 NFL teams represented by GMs, coaches and scouts during game week, our players have the terrific opportunity to showcase their talents and get their first glimpse of life in the NFL … `Just Like on Sunday.'”
While the teams are divided by East and West, the players come together for the beneficiary of the event, Shriners Hospitals for Children®, an international pediatric specialty health care system.
“We hope our supporters all over the country will come out and enjoy this exciting game,” said Douglas E. Maxwell, president and CEO of Shriners Hospitals for Children. “Our health care system depends on the generosity of our supporters, and this game is one of our signature events benefitting Shriners Hospitals for Children.”
Robertson is one of four former Gamecocks to be invited to a post-season all-star game, joining Senior Bowl invitees Melvin Ingram and Antonio Allen, and Battle of Florida participant Stephen Garcia.
