Brian Robison, thank you for your time with the Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings made a difficult decision to release the veteran defensive lineman as part of Saturday’s final roster cuts.

Being a sports fan can be excruciating. It’s a tough pill to swallow each season when you suddenly realize that your team will not win the ultimate prize of a championship.

But when you invest so much emotion and energy into your team, the least you hope expect in return is for the front office, the coaching staff and the players to give a damn just as much as you do.

You want the organization to care to the degree that you care. When a member of the franchise isn’t as invested in success as the fans, you’re left feeling cheated. Especially considering that said members are compensated quite handsomely.

Brian Robison never cheated the fans of the Minnesota Vikings. He left it all out on the field as the fans invested their all in the Vikings.

Through his appearances with the media and the public, Robison displayed a shining light of charisma. When the helmet and dark visor came on though, it was curtains.

When you think about the contributions of No. 96, it wasn’t eye popping. It wasn’t sexy. The man simply made plays down after every down.

While the likes of Jared Allen and Everson Griffen amassed Pro Bowls and All-Pro selections as superstar edge rushers, Robison was the unsung hero.

After 11 seasons in the NFL, all with Minnesota, this was supposed to be the year that Robison went out on his own terms, at least to some degree. Back in May, the defensive lineman even agreed to a pay cut to return for his 12th season with the Vikings.

“I just wasn’t ready to hang it up yet. I needed to give it one more shot,” Robison said. “I’ve said since day one I wanted to bring a championship to the state of Minnesota. If that’s something I have to give back $2 million to do, I’ll gladly do it.”

Robison went through the ups and downs of this franchise since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Despite his efforts, he and the Vikings’ defense as a whole couldn’t mask the ineptitude of quarterback play through the likes of Tarvaris Jackson and Christian Ponder.

Then there was 2009, in which the offense led by Brett Favre presented Minnesota as Super Bowl contenders, making it all the way to that season’s NFC Championship.

We can’t forget about “Wide Left” in the 2015 wild-card round against the Seattle Seahawks courtesy of he who shall not be named followed by another bittersweet appearance in the NFC Championship against the eventual champion Philadelphia Eagles last season.

Much to the tune of Chad Greenway in 2016,  this season was supposed to be 96’s last hoorah. One last chance at obtaining the coveted Lombardi trophy for the first time in franchise history.

With the Vikings expected to be Super Bowl contenders again in a loaded NFC this year, the expectation was to see Robison, yet again, contribute on the defensive line and ending sacks with his signature hook and reel celebration.

Then came Saturday, when roster cuts were announced and among them was Robison.

It wasn’t supposed to end this way.

Robison wasn’t some charity roster spot player for a fairy tale storyline. He was, and still is, a very serviceable edge rusher, especially as a rotational player.

And yet he was cut anyway.

Minnesota Vikings

The NFL has always been a cutthroat business. Just when you feel like you’ve figured it out, the league will throw a surprise right hook.

Indeed, as the announcement of Robison being released on Saturday left Vikings Nation down for the count. This one hurt.

Whatever the future holds for 96, whether it’s playing elsewhere or giving insight as a future member of the media, Vikings Nation would like to say thank you.

Thank you for never leaving us to question your effort. Thank you for caring about this franchise as we did and continue to do.

You exemplified excellence through your incredible contributions on the field along with class. You could’ve been selfish by starting a new chapter elsewhere in your career, yet you remained loyal. You will always remain a fan favorite.

Thank you and good luck to you good sir.