Green Light with Chris Long - Bijan Robinson! Atlanta Falcons, Texas in the CFB Playoff & Playing Quinnen Williams

Episode Date: December 7, 2023

Atlanta Falcon Bijan Robinson talks to Chris long about the stellar start to his NFL career, seeing his alma mater, the Texas Longhorns, make the College Football Playoff, playing for Steve Sarkisian, his welcome to the NFL moment with Quinnen Williams and being fined by Cordarrelle Patterson. This podcast is brought to you by Cash App. With multiple tools for saving, spending, and sending, Cash App is the easy way to stay in control of your money. Cash App is a financial platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Use the GameTime app for all your ticketing needs. Create an account and use code GREENLIGHT for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download the GameTime app today last minute tickets lowest price guaranteed. Make sure to check out Fax and the King every Wednesday on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FaxAndTheKing Have some interesting takes, some codebreaks or just want to talk to the Green Light Crew? We want to hear from you. Call into the Green Light Hotline and give us your hottest takes, your biggest gripes and general thoughts. Day and night, this hotline is open. Green Light Hotline: ‪[phone]‬ Send any Talent Search submissions to: [e-mail] Include any video of your talents, takes and bits as well as a little bit about yourself. Love hearing from the Green Light fans. Also, check out our paddling partners at Appomattox River Company to get your canoes, kayaks and paddleboards so you're set to hit the river this summer. https://paddleva.com/ Green Light Spotify Music: https://open.spotify.com/user/951jyryv2nu6l4iqz9p81him9?si=17c560d10ff04a9b   Spotify Layup Line: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1olmCMKGMEyWwOKaT1Aah3?si=675d445ddb824c42   Green Light Tube YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/GreenLightTube1   Green Light with Chris Long, a production of Yote House Media.: Subscribe and enjoy weekly content including podcasts, documentaries, live chats, celebrity interviews and more including hot news items, trending discussions from the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, NCAA are just a small part of what we will be sharing with you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clint Williams. Like that dude on the D-line, he was as advertised. Like, I tried to chip him during the game. And he like kind of blasted me. And I was like, hold up. I was like, hold up a second. I was like, dang. I got up quick because I didn't want to show no weakness.

But I was like, okay, this dude's a real dude. We did catch him miced up calling you little, which is insane to me. That was that point. It was that play. That play. It was that play? It was that play. Hey, the Greenlight podcast welcomes you.

It's good that you all are here. We've got a very special episode for you today. One of those Thursday little drops we like to do, Bejohn Robinson joins Chris in Studio J remotely from the Atlanta Falcons facility. We talk everything Atlanta Falcons. Bejohn talks us through his first NFL season, his three quarters of the way through. He talks his welcome to the NFL moment. how he got here, his time at Texas, playing for Coach Sark in Austin, Cordero Patterson's

fine policy in the locker room, and his upcoming rookie dinner. He's going to have a rookie dinner, but luckily he only has to take the running backs out, only five of them. So we have a good time with Bijan. Enjoy this special Thursday drop. We're going to keep doing a few more of these player interviews on Thursday. Check it out on YouTube as well. You can get all of Bejon's energy there. All right, this is a real treat. I think this generation's great back. I've seen enough. This guy can play. Bejohn Robinson. How you doing, dude? Man, I'm doing awesome. I'm doing awesome.

Just happy to be here, you know, talking to you. Big fan, by the way. Oh, thanks, bro. I mean, it's super cool to hear that because me and my dad, my dad played a long time in the league, Howie Long, and you see him on Sundays or whatever. But the first Sunday, the first thing he said to me off of the Sunday, he was like, that Bejohn guy. He's legit. So everybody sees it, man.

And I guess I'm catching you in a good mood. Atlanta win and the most important thing, damn Texas playoff. How are we feeling, dude? Now look, I'm going to tell you. So I've been getting a lot of questions. Like, you're feeling good. Y'all think you got to win. You can get you guys out of a shot.

And I'm like, this is the year where we can actually win this, like, win the championship. And I found out, like, right before our game on Sunday. So I was, I was geeked up. I was geeked up. It's crazy. Dude, that place has got to be ready to explode. I'm sure when you were there and you guys got close to high heights and then Sark comes in. But, you know, that place I feel like more than any was waiting for Texas to be quote unquote Texas again. Did you feel that?

Yeah. And like, I even heard just like around Austin and around the city. Like it's so lit right now. And people are like don't know what to do because everybody is so happy. And Austin. Yep. Yep. Let's go.

Yeah. But it's super awesome, man. I'm so happy for them, dudes. Who's the, like, if I want to watch, because I know they got a really good D-line. Yeah. But in general, who's next out of that school? Like, who are the couple guys that you're like,

I'm going to be playing against those guys or with those guys on Sunday? Yeah, I think, I mean, there's a lot. So obviously, like you just said, T-sweat on the D-line. He's a beast. You know, you got Byron on the D-line. Then you got J-Lah Ford, at Lionbacker,

Ryan Watts. like at corner and then like even on the office side you have obviously Xavier is Xavier worthy at receiver and then J.B you know I think even though he got the injury Jonathan Brooks I think he's he's going out at running back to the NFL but I didn't and then a lot of guys on the offensive line Jake Matthews. I mean you got Christian Jones so you got Adonite Mitchell at receiver so I think Jay Whitt there's a lot of guys like that play really good football together. that I think that would be really good. Sounds like you guys got over 10, 12 guys on that team right now that could be pros.

Yeah. It's pretty incredible. I think they'll transition well to the NFL too, which is cool. Do you think Sarks program, looking back at it, is kind of an NFL type? Yeah. You know, I know it's college, and I've had him on, and he's super cool and can, like, he can be your boy and stuff. But I feel like he's running kind of a pro operation. Did you feel that once you got to the pros?

Absolutely. Absolutely, because I feel like I think it was good that he experienced, you know, the NFL for a little bit. And I think he took that and really prepared me for the next level when it comes to like preparation and just how much is on my plate. Like, I was ready for that because Sarks playbook, Sarks, the way he does things, you know, it's so grand. And I think I was ready for it. But how he runs things is definitely a pro-operator. and, you know, I really give him credit because he did it as soon as he came in. Like, it didn't take him.

You know, obviously it took him a few years to start, you know, get his guys and winning like he wants to. But it was all what he was trying to do for, like, the moment of this year. So it was pretty cool. That's awesome, man. I mean, he seems super cool. Is there one way to piss him off? Oh, I pissed him off plenty of times. I actually remember, like, so for me, like, being, like, the leader of the team.

Um, we were in, we were in spring ball. And it was like our, our Saturday practice. And I think I messed up a play. No. Okay. So the, the, the drive before, like, I ran this like 60 yard touchdown. Like gone. Everybody was geeked up. I thought I was good. And then the next, the next drive we went out there. And I messed up a play. And he ripped me. Like, he ripped me so bad. Like, the, the teammates were like concerned. Like, they were just scared. They were scared of what's, What's going to come next? Scared for you? They're scared for me. They're scared for themselves. They're scared for everybody. Because if you get chewed out, dude. Yeah, then they know what time it is.

So I just like, I put my head down. And I was like, man, like, he's ripped me before. But like this one right here, it was something else. But it's all at the end of practice, we'll talk about it. And sometimes they'll tell me, like, you know, I'm doing this for a reason. And I was like, I got you coach. But I was like, dang, I was scared for a second. That's so funny because he told me a story when we asked about you.

He was like, you know, the biggest thing I ever got mad about was just too damn perfect. There's nothing wrong with the guy. That's what I'm saying. Like, he, he, he, he, me and him were right here every single time. But when he was trying to like make his point across to the whole team, like we need to lock in. Like, sometimes I ought to be that guy. So, well, so the way he described you. Yeah.

You're definitely type A. You definitely do a lot of things really well. obviously football, but like in all areas of your life, he really respects you. And from everybody here, I mean, like, that's a really cool thing. But I guess my question would be, if he can't find anything wrong with you, what is wrong with you, dude? Like, tell me something you're not good at. Like, what's Bejohn Robbins and suck at? I mean, shoot, I mean, obviously I'm not perfect.

Like, I got a lot. Yeah, we got it. I definitely have a lot of flaws. But I mean, I'm just like constantly trying to learn and constantly trying to be, like, get better, you know, as a person. and obviously as a football player, but just all around. And that's just how I was raised. And my faith is a big part of that, too. So, you know, that's, that is who I am.

That's a non-answer. There's nothing he's not good at is what I found out, guys. I mean, not even like baseball or something. Like, there's just everything you did. Is it baseball? Okay, there we go, baby baseball. And there's another one. Here's another one, dude.

Because Spotify rap just, that whole thing just happened. Yeah. And I want to read you a question. quote from an article that I read. Okay. Bejohn Robinson's playlist is certifiably psychotic in the best way possible. And they're talking about your pregame playlist. Can you confirm for us at Greenlight that you listen to soundscapes before the game?

Absolutely. We're talking ocean waves and what, like safari noises? Yep, absolutely. Absolutely. Like my number one artist on Spotify is this group called Bonobo. And you probably have no idea who they are. But they're like an indie soul, indie chill, like instrumental. Okay, let's check them out.

I like this stuff. Yeah, yeah. You can write it down. Okay. But Nobo, but they are the most chill group. And I listen to them before games while I'm like warming up. And it just like gets my mind in a different place. But yeah, they're right.

It's probably a little different. You should check out. Do you know Krung Ben or am I saying that where I read? Yeah, Krung Ben. Have you ever heard of them? Krung man. I'll be ever heard of. I'm going to send you because you might like them.

You might like them. Anyways, that's funny as hell. So you've got like, do you hear like dolphins and stuff? Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's like, I feel like hearing stuff like that. Even just like the ocean and rain, like rain, like rain, like rain, music and rain drops, it just like put your mind.

Obviously, you do that before bed, but if you can do it before a game and get locked in, it's nice. So that's the whole thing. That's where your head's at because there were times of my career where I can remember being like, you are listening some angry music, Chris. Like you're already angry. You know, you're already hype.

Why do you have to get more hype? You want to be under control, right? That is true. I mean, but look, I mean, you, you're on the D-line. Like, you had to be violent. Obviously, I have to be violent, too. And I feel like it both ways work. Like, if you have to listen to, you know, the heavy music,

the heavy rock, like, whatever put your mind in a place of dominance. Then you're good. Who's the guy in the Atlanta locker room that you're like, yeah, we don't bother him before games? Shoot. Scariest guy on game day. Who would be that guy? Until you meet Callais, I think it's until you meet Callais. Calais is hype.

Like, he's trying to get everybody hype. I'll say, I'll say Jake Matthews. You know, Jake Matthews is like in his own in his own. I'll probably just like let him, I don't want to talk to him before, before a game. I'll probably say hello if I, if I see him. But is he like super vet to you? He's like old NFL to you. No, he's helped me out a lot.

Like, have the conversations with him. Like he, he's, when I came in, like right away, he was, he was already giving me tips.

And, you know, how to do this better. You know, when we're on the field, we'll talk if I like, I'm trying to make, because I'm trying to make him look great.

So, but sometimes I can, I can get too wise and he'll be like, how about this or try this. So that's what I like about him, though. That's cool. because I was going to ask, because I think what you guys do really well is that offensive line,

when you watch them, they're all on the same page. They're like elephants on a string. Yeah. You know, and you guys stress people so much horizontally and the vertical seams and everything. And you've got great backs. Like, do you guys get together off the field as a group to talk about, you know, besides just the run install? Yeah.

You guys spend time with each other to invest in that part of the game. Yeah, absolutely. And I think that even just, you know, outside of the game, like, You know, they do a dinner on Thursdays. And, you know, me and Tyler, like, we'll go just eat with them. And they'll be with the quarterbacks, too. And I think that even just talking just about life and getting to know each other, like, it makes us want to play for each other even more.

Because obviously, you know, they'd be moving people on Sunday. But, like, I want to know, like, what makes them go or, you know, what makes them tick or something like that. Because I think that that's just what makes us better, you know. when it comes to that run game, you guys have to share some carries. I mean, and when I had Drake on, I asked him the same thing,

because that wide receiver room is young, and especially if you include Kyle and talented. Yeah. And there's a lot of people, there's a lot of mouths to feed. And I wonder, is it just y'all's personality that makes that work?

Because you know, some rooms can be like, what about me? What about me? No. You guys seem to make it work. Yeah, it's our personality. Like,

yeah. all of us are really good dudes, but like we all support each other. Yeah. And nobody's like, brother, this is getting,

this is getting annoying. Like, why didn't I get the ball? Like, none of that. And people, like, were asking me in the beginning of the season

and all that stuff, middle of the season, like, is it frustrating not getting, and I'm like, no. Like, no,

because it's all planned, you know, that we have for all of us. And, you know, none of us are like that are the selfish players, the selfish guys.

And like when you talk to us, you're really fine, you know, something unique about like our chemistry. Yeah. Even in practice. Like sometimes we're just like joking around. We'll joke around about it. But that's as far as they'll go. Right. Yeah.

So it's cool. It's cool. The only people pissed off are like somebody like me who's fantasy team is called Bed Bath and Bijan, bro. Oh, for real? Yeah. That's your fantasy team name? That's my fantasy team name because I drafted you in the first round or wherever I drafted. after you back before I, what I, you know, what I do generally is I, I compete for half the year

and then I forget, and I forget to set my lineup. So I think I'm out of it now. Got you. That's my fantasy thing. Have you heard any great names with your name involved? Like, because yeah, you're pretty good with the plays on words. You had a mustard company. Yep. That was Bejohn Mustard. Would have heard. I've heard of interesting names. Yeah. Like somebody, uh, actually there's like some inappropriate stuff too, but like one, one, one dude,

he was like sticking up the bejean or something like that i was like what i was like who we do it and then another dude was like like put it in me be jean somebody i was like yo yo yo i was like this is crazy this is crazy i was okay we i've heard what's wrong with some people bro i kept it clean no yeah that was fire that's a fire name right yeah yeah what i'm saying dude that's a fire one thank you uh hey last last thing i want to ask you about about uh about uh about that group and your dinners. Yeah. Did they hit you hard on the rookie dinner?

Or is that something they're doing anymore? No, yeah, yeah. So I actually have our rookie dinner, like for running backs on Monday. Ooh. Yeah. What are we thinking? I think we're going to go to like the steakhouse. But the good thing about the running backs, though, is there's only like five of us.

There's only five. That's it. So I'm like, yeah. I'm like, word as much as y'all need. Bro, do you know, do you know my rookie year in 10? 2008, take a guess of what my bill was. I mean, it's not that, I mean, maybe it's not that crazy. Weren't you, weren't you like the second, second pick?

Second pick. All right, all right. So I know they probably wanted to destroy me. I'm gonna say, I'm gonna say 25,000. 20 racks. Okay. It was 20. And the whole key is, I was just talking to somebody about this, you know,

because I was one of the only guys on defense drafted. So what they do is they just pull it together and who, you know, like, so the defense took us out. Oh, so it was the whole defense. whole defense bro I got linebackers stashing bottles of louie to take home and that's where I had to be like I had to be like I know I'm 23

but we're gonna have a problem if you walk out here with these five but the key is you just got to let it happen and let the guys hit your wallet and then they're gonna treat you great they probably are treating you great because they need you for sure but like but you know how it is if you act like a jerk about it

they're gonna keep taxing you yep they're gonna keep on get you. Keep on getting you. What about what about Cordero, man? He's one of my favorite players. Is he a cool vet? He's as cool as it gets. Like, we'll joke around all the time. And sometimes they'll just get out. Like, so we have a, we have these tallies like that we put on the board. Like if we make a, make a mistake or something like that. And like, he'll give me for like the smallest things. Like, if I trip or if I slip, that's a tally. So like, my tally marks are like this long.

Everybody else is like this short. Isn't like a $5 fine? They're fines, yeah. I'm like, yeah, little fines. It's crazy. I could, it's the littlest thing. And there is.

You need that though. You need a bit like that. I do. And by the way, this just, this just flashed across my screen. This is right here. I don't know if you heard this while you were out of practice.

Yeah. The Red River rivalry is back on through 2036. Did you hear this? In the SEC. Announced today. Nice. They're going to make it work at the Cotton Bowl through 2036. Nice.

You feel pretty good about that. Is it still like in the same time, same time frame? Same time. I think it's, I probably. It's over. These guys told me right off the rip when we were sitting down. They were like, dude, this news just came through. So it's the first that B. John's hearing about it.

You still get to play those guys. Nice. Yeah, right? Nice. We have to. The next question is, because you just experienced hate week, which I, as an NFL player, don't think that week gets enough credit

as a rivalry with New Orleans and Atlanta. Like, these people really hate each other. And you guys talk openly about it. Like, you know how usually it's like bullet and board material? I feel like it's different rules that week where we just say it. Yeah. How was that? How was that experience? It was, uh,

it kind of felt like that, that Texas, Oklahoma. Because even like the atmosphere, I mean, that was insane. Oh, it was crazy. the just the whole week leading up to it like dudes were geeked up even this week because i feel like this is another kind of rhyme yeah it is it's like so we're we're we're ready to go but yeah that that that that saints the saints falcons one was it was like kind of similar to the texas oklahoma

like we was we was ready to go and what do you think the big key is this week because this is like they're playing for their playoff lives you guys are playing for your playoff lives like Everybody in the divisions in it, and I've been in these situations where maybe NFC West, we had a seven-win team slide in back in the day. I mean, it was Seattle. And it came down to the wire. Like, what's the mood going in this game? And then who are the guys you got to watch out for in that defense?

Because they still got some great pieces there. Yeah. I mean, obviously, like for us, I mean, this is a very, very big game. Like, this is our, this is probably their Super Bowl. It was our Super Bowl, too. Yeah. And that's how we're coming. That's how we're leading up to this week.

That's how we're preparing. Obviously, every game that we have now is a Super Bowl for us, because we're trying to finish the best that we can and hopefully get that number one in the division and, you know, all that. But I think on their defense, they have a really good defense. Guys that fly around, I understand they got injuries on their defense. So, you know, I like the Vita Bea. You know, he's a beast.

He's a beast to me. He's a big dude. Takes up space. And then, you know, I think that I know Levanté, you know, and David, our, or Devin, I'm sorry, our Buffalo. Devon, yeah. Yeah, Buffalo banged up. But we'll see, like, what they come with.

Obviously, we're preparing for them to play. And then, you know, that boy number 31. Yeah, he's a beast. They got players at every level of defense. I respect them a lot. And that's what, yeah, and I'm sure they respect you too and it's going to be a hell of a game. But I just kind of wonder, you just went through all these guys.

No doubt. When you get to the pros, what do you think is the biggest difference, which level of defense surprises you more? You know what I'm saying? Yeah, definitely the D-line. The D-line. Yeah. I mean, because I feel like with college and the pros when it comes to like linebackers and

safeties, like everybody's fast. everybody's fast. Obviously, the mistakes are lessened in the NFL. But when it comes to speed and all that type stuff, like, it's, I didn't really feel like too much of a difference. Yeah. But then the D-lines, though, those dudes, like, you got to make a decision quick. Yeah.

Because they're flying off the backside. They're coming down the middle. Like, the D-line we just played this past week, those were some dogs. Right. So I think that's the biggest difference that I felt. I was going to ask you because I think I asked Leporta. We asked him. I said, who's the guy so far that you've been like, oh, yeah, that's him?

You know, like, every week you play some great player or some good defense, but one guy that you're like, oh, yeah, now that I'm on the field with this guy, that is, that's that dude. Yeah, it was this past week. It was Clint Williams. Like that dude on the D-line. He was as advertised. Like, I watched him last year, a couple years ago, and I'm like, all right, this dude's a monster,

but actually, like, playing against him. Yeah. I tried to chip him during the game. And he, like, kind of blasted me. And I was like, hold up. I was like, hold up a second. I was like, dang. I got up quick because I didn't want to show no weakness.

But I was like, okay, this dude's a real dude. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He's not going to hear this anyways. You can compliment him all you want. He's not going to hear it. Yeah. So we don't have to worry about that. But we did catch him miced up calling you little, which is insane to me.

That was that play. It was that play. It was that play. It was that play. What do you say? Like, you know. What did I say? Do you have that video?

Because he was like, my boys told me they heard it. What did it be Jean say? I was probably laughing. He probably kept it moving. I was probably laughing. I probably just got up and just laughed. Just laughed it off. Yep.

That's what I usually do. That's all you can do, huh? Yeah, because I was like, I was trying to like chip them in. And I like, in my defense, though, I kind of tripped. So like, if you saw the video again, I kind of tripped on somebody's foot. So it kind of looked worse than what it was. That's what I thought, dude. Yeah.

Yeah. It was that play. That's another tally for you. That's a tally for you. It was literally a rally. He was like, stare at your feet, really. Like, you shouldn't be on the ground. I was all right.

That's a tough assignment, man. It's good, though. And now who went to second level? Has anybody really cleaned your clock? And you were like, damn, that dude, that dude's bringing it. You know, not going to, well, I haven't really got my clock clean yet.

But the first game of the season, it was a pass protection. And it was against the Panthers linebacker. And I was looking right at him. And he was looking at me. And he just came in Bullrush, charged me. And he hit me so hard. I was like,

Oh yeah, this is what I gotta deal with now. This is it right here. Yeah. And the past protection is tough. It was Frankie Louvo. It was number 49. Louvo. Louvo, yeah, yeah.

But the past protection is tough, right, at this level? Is that another thing that takes a big jump? Yeah, no doubt. No doubt. And good thing like, you know, I love the past protect. So that's something that I love to, like, study and do. But he came on me on a delay, a little coffee house blitz and came and just I had him.

Like, he didn't, he didn't knock me out or nothing like that. But I had him, but my head, I was just like, oh, shoot. Like, that was a welcome to the NFL moment right there. It's good to get that one week woman. Yeah, it was. You know, let's get it out of the way. It was. Did you know you were going to be a falcon?

Like, how, how, how close was it? It was close. It was close. You know, I, because that was the only team I, like, did a workout with. And, like, they, they did a, I was going to work out with Drake last year, and they picked them. So I was, like, kind of wondering, I was, okay, this could be, this could be a team. It was them, like, the Eagles, Titans, like, it was all, like, in those, in that order.

So on draft day, I was like, okay, it's the Falcons pick. Just wait and see what happens. And then I promise you, one minute later, my phone rung. And I was like, there it is. That's awesome. There it is. Since you've been in Atlanta, because I know there's a lot of celebrities that live down there, has there been like one that you've met that you were kind of like star-struck that they were

a fan of you? Um, okay. So I haven't met him, but I know he lives here and I saw him in a podcast talking about me and like complimenting, but Lil Wayne. Oh, that's the same. Yeah. That was crazy. That was crazy.

That was crazy, dude. Yeah, when I heard that. I was like, oh, shoot. Like, well, Wayne and Drake are the guys. So when he said that, I was like, yeah, that's a cool moment. Maybe you can end up in a rap. Now, that, that would be insane. I think it might happen.

I think it might happen. All right, this is the last question. I know you got to go. You got to get swole, man. It's hard, man. It's hard to stay. Yeah, so the last question. is I heard this that you were named after a fragrance right is this can you confirm this so what

does be john robinson actually smell like what do you what do you wear when you when you actually go out to dinner do you have a fragrance yet that you have that you have settled on yes i got a so it's called one million okay it's called one million the this is probably the most elite now look you got to look it up though because you now you have to get it like I'm going to Belk or wherever after this. I'm going to be smelling all the like, you know, yes.

And then one million. I get this other, other, um, man, I'd be forgetting what it was called. Um, and it has like the numbers,

like the, the 2019, like the 29, uh, I forgot. He, somebody might know. Okay.

But so, so if you want to smell like B. John Robinson, one of the best running backs in the game already. You got to go get some one million. Some one million. And I'm going to, to the mall right now to get me some one million my guy okay and you know sometimes it get a little

expensive so yeah yeah small ball it's whatever you I hear that bro hey good luck the rest of the year yeah hope to have you again dude yeah fan like I said you're doing everything right way keep it up man appreciate you Chris yes sir thanks for having me man dude yeah yeah hey tell t j uh yates I said what's up I will hey and uh co Smith said what's up too oh tell him what's What's up, dude? Yeah, you got a couple guys. Frank Bush, right? Yeah, I was with him.

Tell those guys I said, what's up, man? Cool. I will. All right, I will. Good luck, bro.