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Former Raiders OL Barret Robbins dies at 52

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Mar 27, 2026 4:38 PM ET

Former All-Pro center Barret Robbins has died at the age of 52.

Robbins’ former teammate Tim Brown shared the news on social media Friday, saying the former Oakland Raiders center had “passed peacefully in his sleep.”

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

Robbins spent his entire career with the Oakland Raiders, and the team confirmed his death on Friday. In a statement, the team paid tribute to Robbins’ contributions and offered condolences to Robbins’ family and friends.

pic.twitter.com/PnHPnZ1EJM
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) March 27, 2026

Rich Gannon, Robbins’ former teammate, also paid tribute.

Sad to hear of the passing of my center and former teammate Barret Robbins.
RIP my brother!
— Rich Gannon (@RichGannon12) March 27, 2026

Robbins played nine seasons, all with the Raiders. His best season came in 2002, when he was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection.

Infamously, Robbins is best remembered for disappearing the day before the Raiders faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in that year’s Super Bowl after failing to take his depression medication. He was deemed unfit to play and sat out the team’s 48-21 loss. He was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder and played one more season in the NFL before a positive steroid test ended his career.

Robbins’ retirement was marred with legal troubles and spent time in prison for violating his probation after being found with cocaine.

In total, Robbins played 121 games in the NFL, with 105 of them starts.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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