Robbie Tobeck (former Seahawk & Falcon)

Episode 197- Robbie Tobeck!!! Lots of great stories in this one! Robbie played college football at Washington State and then spent 14 years in the NFL with the Falcons & Seahawks. He went to one Pro Bowl and two Super Bowls. Hear all about learning to snap from Drew Bledsoe, scoring a TD as a Falcon, how they handled dropped balls in Seattle & more! 

0:00:00 - Intro
0:01:00 - Background &  Work Ethic
0:03:10 - Sports Before College
0:04:34 - Introduction to Jack Thompson
0:06:18 - Making a Highlight Video
0:07:43 - Liberty College Coming & Going
0:09:25 - Landing at Kilgore Junior College
0:13:33 - Tearing MCL & Jack Thompson Vouches
0:17:33 - Changing to O Line at W.S.U. 
0:20:50 - Learning to Snap from Drew Bledsoe 
0:23:08 - Making Line Calls as Center 
0:24:35 - Snow Bowl Apple Cup 
0:27:52 - Washington St Apple Cup Losses 
0:30:41 - Washington St Football Team 2021
0:33:36 - Making the Falcons & Fear as a Motivator 
0:39:33 - Scoring a Touchdown 
0:43:06 - NFC Championship Against the Vikings 
0:44:40 - Planegate & Super Bowl
0:46:35 - Playing for Coach Mike Holmgren 
0:49:00 - Dropped Balls 
0:51:03 - We Want the Ball and We're Gonna Score 
0:52:16 - The Best Seahawks Offensive Line Ever 
0:55:33 - NFC Championship Against the Panthers
0:56:55 - Super Bowl Hangover Season 2006
0:58:38 - Luck & Injuries 
1:01:56 - Current Seahawks Team
1:05:31 - Ronald McDonald House 
1:06:18 - Griffin/MacLean Insurance 
1:08:03 - Wrap Up

Griffin/MacLean Insurance:
https://www.griffinmaclean.com

Ronald Mcdonald House Charity:
https://www.rmhc.org

Chuck Shute Podcast:
http://chuckshute.com

Transcript

Chuck Shute: 0:12

Welcome to the show. And thanks for checking us out. If you could real quick, just hit that subscribe button if you're watching on YouTube. And that way you won't miss any future episodes. I think you can also follow if you're listening on Spotify or Apple podcast, my guest today, Robbie tobac, amazing football player played at Washington State and college and then went on to play for the Atlanta Falcons in Seattle Seahawks. I'm a big fan of wazoo and Seahawks. So very cool to talk to him. He had a lot of great football stories. And also, I think a lot of good advice and insight into success, not just for football, but really just good life advice. So really cool stuff the man played in the NFL for 14 years, he was a pro bowler and he went to two Super Bowls. So pretty amazing career. Like I said, lots of great stories. So check it out. Please welcome Robbie toe back to my podcast. How you doing? Robbie?

Robbie Tobeck: 1:05

I'm doing well. How are you? Great. Yeah,

Chuck Shute: 1:07

so I've learned a lot about you. In the last couple days, I've been doing a little bit of a deep dive on Robbie, Toby, I didn't know your whole your whole background story. It's kind of interesting.

Robbie Tobeck: 1:17

Well, it is kind of interesting, you know, with you know how I got to the NFL, it was a it was a different kind of road to take for sure. And you know, I just had some people put in my life that, you know, I was able to follow they were able to give me good advice. And I was, you know, through a lot of hard work and a lot of effort finally made

Chuck Shute: 1:38

it. Yeah, so hard work. Your dad was a roofer and you had to do roofing stuff in Florida in the summertime, that sounds miserable.

Robbie Tobeck: 1:47

You talked about motivation to get your degree, you know, you have to have to play college football and you say, You know what, if nothing else you do of course, the dream is always to play in the NFL. But if nothing else, I'm going to I'm going to get my degree because I did not want to be on a roof the rest of my life.

Chuck Shute: 2:04

No, but it taught you the work ethic, right? I mean, because that's got to be a big part of your success was the

Robbie Tobeck: 2:09

well you know, when you have the example of your father getting up every day and look at you know, he wasn't the owner of the business that kind of went and did and did prod you know, and met with clients and stuff like that he was up there running a crew and to see a guy get up every single day day in day out and work as hard as I know, he worked come home dirty, filthy and, and sweaty and whatnot, and put that kind of work in everyday physically speaking. I mean, there's a lot of different forms of hard work, but, but that certainly was motivation for me. And then you know, him getting me up, you know, Saturday mornings, I remember. You know, I'd play a football game on Friday night in high school. And then Saturday morning, I was up, up up on the roof. So as I could be from the night before and stuff like that, but had a lot of fun. You know, learning those less why I shouldn't say I didn't have fun learning those lessons, but they were lessons that really sunk in and stuck with me. And you know, when I look back I owe my dad a lot for for teaching me that. Yeah, for

Chuck Shute: 3:11

sure. So your football career? I mean, you started playing as a kid, but really your high school didn't have football until was it your senior year?

Robbie Tobeck: 3:18

Well, you know, it was one of those deals where, you know, I started playing football in fourth grade, you know, it was always my dream. I was born in Florida, moved to Texas for a while, started playing football and played football all the way through junior high there in Texas and stuff. And then when I got to high school, we moved back to Florida and part of part of my deal was I also play a lot of basketball and stuff too. And my parents sent me to a really small Christian school there and in Florida when we move back, and the promise was always next year, we're gonna have a football team next year, we're gonna have a football team and, and so finally, by my senior year, we had a great basketball program, great basketball team, lot of good athletes, a lot of good players and you know a few guys going on play college basketball and stuff like that. But that football team didn't have until my senior year so I really had that one year to try to try to make it and try to get it

Chuck Shute: 4:10

and you did you play? Was it running back as seen as a senior or you didn't play offensive line?

Robbie Tobeck: 4:15

No, no, no, I wasn't an offensive lineman until really in the middle of my junior college. I was I was I was a running back and and a linebacker and that's you know, wanted to be the next Herschel Walker I guess so it was Yeah. And then go ahead.

Chuck Shute: 4:33

No, I was just gonna say so and then the whole story goes where you just randomly run into Jack Thompson from WSU the throne Samoan at this charity basketball game because was That was when he was in Florida. He was playing for the Tampa Bay box or maybe he had just finished playing for them and

Robbie Tobeck: 4:47

yeah, he was just kind of finishing up playing for them. And you know, I went to this charity basketball game for athletes for Christ and Jack was playing in the game and and like I said, I you know, it's pretty good balance. ballplayer too. And we went in there and the guys he that they were playing against this Moody Bible Institute and that that college had actually scrimmage my high school we like say we had a pretty good high school program, we could compete, you know, small colleges like that. And, and those guys that the pro athletes didn't have enough guys, they had guys from baseball and, and whatnot, they didn't have enough guys show up at five guys. And, you know, some of them were maybe in the best shape they were when they played and stuff so, so with with that they, you know, the guy said, hey, you know, this guy over here can play I happen to have my high tops on a pair of shorts and, and Jack is actually the guy that came over and asked me to play and, and I remember Jack just, you know, I had had a picture of him on my wall. And you know, at the time, that being a little bit of a Bucs fan and and I said yeah, I'll play and I played and played well. And you know, you had a few dunks during the game I think and, and stuff like that. So Jack was kind of really curious to you know, what my plans were when I graduated from high school and I told him at the time that you know, I had some opportunities to play the small college basketball, but I really, really wanted to play football.

Chuck Shute: 6:14

Hmm. So then yeah, so then he you guys, this is crazy. You guys put this like football video together, which in that time, there wasn't like just use your iPhone like you had to get out like an old school camcorder and stuff and like, edit it with like VCRs and stuff and

Robbie Tobeck: 6:28

it was we went to the YMCA in Tampa and matter of fact, I just drove by that thing when I was back home just this last year and showed my wife where we made the video cuz I've still got that dang video somewhere and Oh, really? I need to see that. Yeah, it's pretty it's pretty good. It's

Chuck Shute: 6:45

you doing like dunks and stuff? Right? It was a dumb thing. Well, yeah, it

Robbie Tobeck: 6:48

was he kind of forecast me is like, you know, hey, maybe this guy can play a little tight end or something for you know, you're not gonna be running back but you know, might be tied in or, or something. So he just kind of wanted to show some athleticism because, you know, I didn't have I didn't have film, you know. And so we we got one of his old teammates with the Bucks Paul Dombroski had the video camera and we went in this gym and threw the ball around and I ran some routes, did some stuff. And then at the end of the video, you know, we made a video of me dunking the basketball and you know, just various dunks different things like that and stuff. So and that was all designed just to show like a college coaches that he was calling and to say, if nothing else to guys, the guy's got some athletic ability, you know, he might, you know, you it's up to you to find a spot for

Chuck Shute: 7:36

sure. Sure. So then you get this did you get a scholarship for liberty? Or how'd you end up at Liberty?

Robbie Tobeck: 7:41

Yeah, you know, and so it was kind of narrowed down between liberty and East Tennessee State and liberty wanted to see me play in this all star game up in Tennessee. And so I got an invite, because they want to see me there and, and I played in that all star game, and then they they watched me play, I think I played the end at that thing. You know, I was all over the place. But played in that. And they gave me you know, they came up to me afterwards and offered me a scholarship and and, you know, went there and red shirt?

Chuck Shute: 8:12

Yeah, so then tell me the story. So you got kicked out of liberty for kissing a girl?

Robbie Tobeck: 8:17

Yeah, you know, I don't know what the rules are nowadays. And they've got a pretty good program going right now. But, you know, I don't know, if it's still the same, you know, they had like a, you know, yet keep a distance, you know, they had like, six inch rule or something like that. And, um, you know, I, I broke that rule

Chuck Shute: 8:39

wasn't like a warning or anything, it was just like, you're done.

Robbie Tobeck: 8:42

Now, man, I was done. But the crazy thing was, uh, you after that, you can, you know, you can appeal and then you can go to summer school and, you know, take your classes, get your eligibility back, and I had, you know, I had that opportunity as well, just like everyone else did. But, you know, I kind of figured, you know, I was in college and, and, you know, I wanted to continue on to keep playing football. But, you know, also had a little more freedom, you know, living with my parents and right, yeah, I did there. And I kind of thought that, you know, I'm a good guy, I'm a responsible guy I can handle myself I'm gonna see what else is out there and and, you know, those that's long before the days of the transfer portal.

Chuck Shute: 9:24

Yeah. So then you tell explain this for so you buy this book of junior colleges because again, this is before internet and then you look up the addresses and you send all these letters. How many how many letters did you send to football coaches, you

Robbie Tobeck: 9:37

you have done your research? Yeah, I did. I did. I went and bought a I just went to the mall at a bookstore and I found a book on junior colleges and you know, it was about yay thick and I just went through and had everything about all these junior college and I went through and found 100 of them. That played football. Wow. And I called each one and and go got their head coach's name. So I wrote a letter standard letter, but I, you know, I addressed it to each head coach and mailed that letter around the country and, and got some responses, you know, because I knew at the time like, I could leave liberty and I could transfer you know, I could transfer to another school which you know, the chances that one was gonna want me you're probably slim to none. But, but I'd have to sit out a year if I transferred or I could transfer down to a junior college and play immediately and then try to work my way back up to the to a four year school. So so that's what I did and finally, heard from a few schools and the one that really intrigued me was Kilgore Junior College and Kilgore, Texas and, you know, I knew I was familiar with them and the Kilgore College Ranger ATS, which are, you know, their world famous drill team group, and I think that's where drill team started, actually, but Okay, so I was familiar with them from that. And then just, you know, the coach sent me a packet of stuff, and that was it. I never heard anything back. So I, you know, I, you know, and part of this whole thing is, and if people are listening to this as part of it, you know, you got to take some initiative in your life, right, you know, and, and, and, you know, I guess I could have sat there and just said, Well, you know, he sent me this stuff, but he, there was no follow up. Well, it's my job to do the follow up, right. So I just called the guy one day and said, Hey, you sent me some stuff. What does that you know, what does that mean? You know, I want I'm interested, what can I do? And he said, well send me some films on and you know, I said, Well, you know, on every film, you know, I can't send any film he goes, Well, I don't know what you want me to do for you. I said, do me a favor. I said call these two guys so ahead and call my high school coach and have them call my call Jack. And so he did to his man he did and the next day he called and gave me a scholarship Kilgore Junior College and his name was Coach Miller and Coach Miller was a was a was a tough man and had been won national championship at that level and Ben Kilgore for a long time and but I tell you what he had, he was a tough man, that a great heart and and took a chance on a kid like me and took a chance on a lot of kids and made a lot of kids and made a difference in a lot of kids. And, you know, I'll forever be grateful to he's one of the people that I'll always be grateful to and be blessed that you know, I had a chance to cross paths with

Chuck Shute: 12:32

Yeah, that's really cool. So then is this where you switched to linebacker or cuz you were kind of more running back, but this is where you become a linebacker.

Robbie Tobeck: 12:40

Yeah, you know, I played my freshman year, I played linebacker and I was a little you know, I didn't have that experience at high school experience, really, and I was a little, I was always like, doing my job, but not kind of making the plays. And then finally, they put my hand in the ground going into my sophomore year, and I was I lined up a defensive end. And that was really, really a home for me, I was pretty good at it, you know, I had, I had good hip explosion, I could, I could get into people and I, you know, get around the corner a little bit stuff. So dn was really a good spot for me at that level. And I was getting recruited, you know, by a lot, a lot of schools around the country and, you know, at least at least being contacted, you know, and, and going into my sophomore year, I was really looking forward to, to, you know, seeing seeing what was out there because, you know, starting to hear from people.

Chuck Shute: 13:30

Okay, so then you go to was you they give you a scholarship, or did you walk on? Yeah, you know,

Robbie Tobeck: 13:35

what happened was my you know, and here's, here's where Jack comes in. Again, this is part of the story, maybe you didn't know, but but, uh, so I'm here from schools, I'm excited to go into my sophomore year, first game, I'm coming off to make a tackle inside and the D tackle, gets double team kind of rolls up my, my leg and I tear my, my, my MCL and it was a complete tear. So who so? So then, you know, all the recruiting kind of dried up for me. And so they did surgery on it. You know, I don't know if they even do that surgery anymore. But they did back then. And so they did surgery. And I remember had a couple coaches call in Hey, you know how season going Robbie, this and that. And, and I would say well tell them about my injury. Oh, well, can I talk to your roommate? Yeah, it was that type of deal so so it through all of that I rehab like crazy. And it was supposed to be like a six month deal. And I actually played in our bowl game. Wow, a junior college bowl game and you know, I wasn't 100% by you know, it was barely I mean, I barely got him to let me play but i i play nice, you know, got a sack and, and all that stuff. In the meantime, Jack has been college coach Bryce and saying, Hey, you got it. You got to recruit this kid. You got to recruit this kid. And you know, there I was, again with basically without any film, because I got hurt the first game, I had a little bit of film from the bowl game, and that was about all I had. But you know, I think more to get jack to leave him alone coach price brought me up on a recruiting visit and, and I ended up getting a scholarship and it wasn't because of you know what they saw in the film or anything it was because he felt like, you know, this guy's got it. You know, I think this kid does things the right way. He's got a chance to maybe lead from an example standpoint. But I found out years later, he told Jack, he said, Look, Thompson, don't ever call me and ask me why this kid's not playing because he's not gonna play. He's never gonna play here. But I need a couple guys like him for the locker room. So I'm gonna give him a scholarship. And it's only he said, it's only two years anyway, and then he's out of here. Wow,

Chuck Shute: 15:48

that is a crazy part of this. So do you think Thompson was he kept vouching for you? Because he really believed that you were that kind of an athlete or just like you as a kid? Or what was it?

Robbie Tobeck: 15:58

You know, I think both. I mean, Jack's done that for not just me, but for others as well. And you know, it's just the type. That's just who he is, you know? And he says, He's the type that looks at and says, Well, how can I help you? How can I help? You know, and, you know, mind you this whole time, the first time Jack ever saw me actually play football was at Washington State University. So he had vouched for me, you know, three or four times through all this, but it was more of my character, you know, work ethic and what I was willing to do, and you know, that, you know, he said, You know, I got some athletic ability. But, you know, even even then, I mean, Jack went that night, I met him at that basketball game, he, he said, he said, Look, you know, here's my number, I'm willing to help you. But I'm not going to babysit your ass, you're going to you're going to show me that you're willing to work. And I was like, Well, that's easy. I can, you know, I can do that. No problem. So he said, Call me at noon. And I remember, you know, that Monday, being, you know, we didn't have a phone, you know, we're we didn't have you know, there were times we didn't have a whole lot, you know, growing up and stuff. So, we didn't have a phone at the time. Yeah, I remember getting a dime and being in a phone booth at noon on that, that next Monday, and calling him you know, and being there, you know, just right at noon, boom, put the diamond and gave him a call. And you know, kind of like I said, the rest is kind of history. Yeah. So then

Chuck Shute: 17:33

they change, you play D line at wazoo, but you didn't like your D line coach. And they offered to put someone on the line and you and so you did though line thing? Well, you

Robbie Tobeck: 17:43

know, yeah, I went into Washington State as a defensive lineman and went through spring ball and was in the two days and you know, I was in the rotation I was gonna play but what happened was, they needed a, you know, they just needed another guy to play offensive line and my D like, my D line coaches. That's man, he was a piece of where he's a tough guy. And he calls me up one day and says, Hey, you know, I I'd played had, okay, game against Oregon. The first week we're playing Ohio State, the next week, he calls me up says, Hey, Coach, Coach price is gonna come down and see you and he wants to move you to offensive line, but I can't lose him and you got to hear my rotation. I gotta, you know, and I remember hanging up the phone with that guy. And I was like, man, if coach price calls me and asked me to play offensive line, I'm out of here. I'm gonna play George Jr. No John McEnroe, at the time, were the offensive line coaches there and, and I could just see their unit because I hang out hung out with those guys a lot. I was friends with them, but their unit was so close and so tight. And it's it. Anybody that's played offensive line knows that, you know, there's a brotherhood within a brother there, you know, and I wanted to be a part of that. And so the opportunity came coach Price who, you know, talk about the character coach price, too, you know, he didn't have to come down to my apartment to ask me a question. Right. You know, he could have said, hey, I want you to meet me in my office at 1230 You know, you know he's the coach. Yeah, but But you know, I think he you know, I think he thought maybe I wouldn't want to do it or whatever it was but but he came down and asked and I was and that meant the world to me as well and you know, I was happy to do it and and so my first first snap was against Ohio State so even

Chuck Shute: 19:31

before that you were actually playing as on the D line even though coach Price said you're never gonna play How did you win that starting roll off the bat you must have beat out some scholar scholarship kids right

Robbie Tobeck: 19:43

No, I you know, I was on scaly too you know, I wasn't I wasn't I I was in the rotation there. I don't know that. I don't know if I started that that first game against Oregon or not, but but certainly played, you know, half the snaps or whatever it was and then it's just you know, more Have a you know, they needed guys, I mean, we didn't have the depth really and and, you know, I, you know, I could go out and play and I was I worked hard. And that's, you know, that's, you know, one of the themes to my whole deal is you know, just trying to outwork the other guy and always, you know, reassessing and setting another goal you know, if you reach one goal, you go to another and I was pretty strong, you know, I, you know, could squat a ton of weight and power clean and do that type of stuff. And, and so that gave me that opportunity to kind of get in dieline at least be able to hold my own and, and play a little bit but what they had done was they took me from that defensive end position and move me down inside so so my job at that time was just to keep getting bigger and once I got bigger they said, Well, you know, heck this guy and make good good offensive line.

Chuck Shute: 20:49

Yeah, so then you switch offensive line, you don't know how to play center and snap, obviously. So So Drew Bledsoe, co future NFL quarterback teaches you how to snap. That's kind of Yeah,

Robbie Tobeck: 21:00

it's, uh, it was one of those deals where, you know, kind of played my junior junior year at guard, they really needed you know, somebody to fill in at that spot. And, and kind of, you know, all they told me, my junior year was Learn, learn what the calls mean. And, and just play basketball, if you pass ball, I can just use your feet and play basketball for the guy. So you know, I can do that. And so, you know, I progress as the year went, and then going into that spring ball, I knew that like, Hey, I, you know, I can play center, you know, and have really my got a shot, you know, because the whole time through all of that. Maybe it's naive, or whatever you want to call it, my goal is playing the NFL, right? Yeah, go ahead. When I was in kindergarten, all the way through, was still with one year of college to go and move in positions, and not kind of really knowing a whole lot. My goal was to still play in the NFL, I said, Well, you know, I got one year to do this. And I looked up the, you know, guys that I'd seen you know, kind of kind of do it get it done in a year. So, so when I told Drew's look, I want to, you know, I want to play quarterback, I mean, I want to play center, and when you guys you know, when you're when the quarterbacks are throwing with, with the receiver and stuff like that, I want to come snap to you. And so he said, Sure, and he let me know, whenever they were throwing, I would go and I would snap and I really know how to snap and where to put the ball or any of those types of things and, and drew being you know, good guy and my roommate at the time, you know, kind of, you know, wanted me to be successful and, and just kind of taught me like, Here, here's what I know. And here's how to snap and here's where you put the ball. And here's what you do and, and so just through that working with him, and by the time we got into spring ball, snap in the ball, making the calls, doing the different things, it wasn't a big deal because I put that time in through winter conditioning and stuff, getting the videotapes watching the film, practice making the calls, practice snap, and they're in there in Skelly and all that stuff. And so by the time spring ball came around, I was able to establish myself as the senator going into that next season.

Chuck Shute: 23:07

Yeah, cuz I don't think some people might not know that, but what the what a big job of the center is not just snap the ball and block, you actually have to make the line calls like, you tell, like if you see blitzes and things like that. It's a very, like, cerebral position, right?

Robbie Tobeck: 23:21

Yeah, it's, uh, you know, of all the position on the offensive line. That's one that that is very cerebral and more so for, for certain centers. And, you know, one of the things that a great teacher and George Arno and the fact that he, you know, he, he did it in the NFL for a long time, he's a Washington State alum, and had a similar transition as me was a was a defensive tackle in college, moved to the offensive line in the NFL. Oh, wow. And so and had had a long career had a nice career and stuff. So, so he was able to teach me a lot and and, you know, taught me how to even even that first year of playing center, how to read safeties do different things and move the protections and do some of that stuff that, you know, you don't see a lot of guys doing even still, you know, at that level and stuff. So, just having a great teacher being community, you know, having the community communication I had with Drew and stuff like that would just enabled me to take that step. So when I was able to get to the NFL, you know, again, Coach Arno, just told me what to expect and what I needed to do to make the football team and I just went out and, and just did that and, and, and it worked for

Chuck Shute: 24:33

me. That's awesome. So tell me about the Apple Cup. 92 The snowbowl you got to play in that one. Right with a big win with Drew Bledsoe. I think it's the fourth biggest Apple Cup win for the Cougars 4223 They beat and I think U DUB was ranked number five at the time. So that was like an offset, right?

Robbie Tobeck: 24:49

Yeah, no, it was they were they were they might even been higher than that. I don't know that. They were co national champions a year before. And so they're coming off that run and they had a really good focus ball team and, but you know, we did too and but if we didn't get the respect, you know, maybe nationally up until that game, I think we finished the year that year at nine and three, you know, and so had a really good football team and, and that that Apple Cup game I mean, you know, you know those rivalry games, I mean something I mean a lot to guys and you know, I played a lot of football since then. And that's the only game I think I ever played in that I remember the score to it. Wow, just ingrained into me. And, you know, it meant something to us, it was a game where we were, we were pretty good, but still didn't feel like we were respected. They were the coming off the CO National Championship, the big bad bullies on the block, head to the Rose Bowl, we're still didn't know which bowl game we're gonna be able to go to all those types of things. And, and so when you plan for respect, you know, a lot of emotion comes out and and that emotion still comes out when I think about that game. And, and and you know, or I see highlights on and stuff like that. It's it's because, you know, you're able to set a goal the year before when we lost in Seattle and then accomplish that goal through a lot of hard work and a lot of effort that next year.

Chuck Shute: 26:21

So how did what did price say to you guys, or who fired you up in the locker room? Because you were obviously fired up? Right? And the whole team must have been?

Robbie Tobeck: 26:30

You know, you know, that's one of those deals when nobody has say much, you know, because I think it was said the year before, frankly, when we're in the locker room after we lost to him that you're, you know, that admin and all those guys, and I think that the conversations were had in the locker room that year, and I even spoke up and said something that you know, kind of to everyone's surprise, because I really, you know, here I was the new guy that kind of, but just just losing that game just came out of me and and and you know, hey, it's not going to be like this ever again. It's not gonna be like this this year, we're gonna do this, this and this, and we're gonna change it. And and, you know, we did and and that was a good stretch for Washington State, you know, when as many ballgames as you have now, but you know, two years later, our defense they was they were all saying your seniors, they were sophomores my senior year. And then they were by the time they were seniors that years that when they went to Alamo bowl and, and they were number one defenseman in the country. And they had a great defense and did some things. And then a couple years after that, you got the leaf with the Rose Bowl, and you got guesser in the Rose Bowl. So I really I really credit that 92 team with Kenny kickstarting that, that run that we had in the 90s, early 2000s. Yeah, that

Chuck Shute: 27:48

was a fun run. And then it was a really good rivalry with Washington, too. So what happened? Like Well, I just can you you have a theory on the Apple Cup stretch? Because what is it seven losses or something now that for Washington State, and these are good teams?

Robbie Tobeck: 28:01

Yeah, you know, and three of those three of those games that if we win that game, we're playing in the Pac 12 championship game. Yeah. And so, you know, so good football teams. Yeah, that last games, maybe that we probably should have won. But I think, I think, you know, I love Coach Leach, and what he did for our program at Washington State and what he brought to it, and he brought some national respect and notoriety and recognition and, and, you know, I think we won six ballgames in a row, that type of thing is so great success, but I get his messaging and the fact that, you know, I don't care if we're playing, you know, Sister marries, or playing, you know, you know, we prepare the same every game, we got to prepare 100% And, and I get the messaging and he's right, you can't there's no no days off, there's no plays off, none of that you can't have it and you have to prepare and play a certain way. But but one of the things that I use the analogy of when I was in the NFL, I gave 100% Every game right I took pride and the product I put on field but when you get to that first round of the playoffs, it's just more intense it's just man it's just you know my efforts the same I'm not trying harder because I'm trying hard all the time. But boy, you there's an intensity there that you just feel and and then that second round of the playoffs it kicks up even more by time you get to the NFC Championship game which I was fortunate to play in to them man it's it's crazy intense. And then the Super Bowl is on another level outsell now, I agree with the messaging that the the effort is 100% all the time. But you have to understand the intensity of that as you go into that game. Yeah, to prepare for that intensity. And I think that's some of the thing we're missing. Maybe over that stretch when we lost some of those games that probably should have won because you can just feel it in that instance. You can feel it coming out out of the stands. I mean, it just comes from there onto the field and, and so maybe maybe not preparing for the intensity and for that part of it cost us a, you know, maybe a couple games over the last few years.

Chuck Shute: 30:21

Yeah, it's just it just seems so it's boggling to me because I think they're even favorite, favorite for a lot of those games. Like, I really thought with Minshew. I was like, okay, they got the swagger, right? Like that was like maybe what they were kind of missing. He had the he's working out in the snow shirtless installs. I mean, you're like, This is it, this is the year they're gonna do it. And then they just still couldn't do it. Do you think this is the year because now they got a different coach in the U DUB is pretty bad this year?

Robbie Tobeck: 30:47

Well, you know, we're playing there. So that's, that's always you know, that's always a thing. But yeah, okay, what I'm, uh, I've been really proud of our team this year. They, you know, going through what they went through with a coaching change head coach for assistance, all that stuff in the middle of a football season, and we didn't have the greatest start to the year. So we're, I think, one and three or two and four, or whatever we are, when the coach Coach, you know, gets canned, and we're not looking good. A lot of teams would lay down at that point. And you wouldn't get much out of the rest of season but these guys have continued to play hard. And you know, have won some good games I mean, Arizona State on the road you know, when in the game this last weekend, you know, you know against Arizona is not a very good football team but we didn't you know, we played we won the way we should have won. Yeah, in really tough conditions. You know, it was raining I was at the game is foggy and rainy and nasty out, you know, and, and, but we came out and we played, you know, the Stanford game Oregon State game thinking of, you know, two home games there that we just, we came out and and back and forth games, both of them were back and forth. But you know, the guys never hung their heads and they kept playing and defense came up, make the big plays at the end of those games and stuff like that. So really happy. Love seeing Jane's progression through the through the year this year and still got to get better with some decision making and stuff but but uh, you know, I give us a good shot this year. I think this you know, this is the one maybe where we kind of get back to winning some of these Apple cups,

Chuck Shute: 32:30

hopefully, or at least it's close, like, cuz used to be such a fun ride or good enough, we got to have the W Yeah, they really do. Because imagine, I just imagine those 60 year seniors they've been there for this is their sixth year at wazoo and they've never won an Apple Cup. That's crazy. They gotta be motivated.

Robbie Tobeck: 32:50

That's got to be a motivator, you know, because, you know, especially some of those guys, you know, aren't going to go aren't necessarily going to go to the NFL or whatever it might be. And this is your, you know, this is the last time I mean, you're going to you're going to go to a bowl game, you're going to have fun and stuff like that. But this is the last like, one where, you know, this is a meaningful for game and your last chance to universe washing, especially if you're going to be a guy that lives up here in the Northwest. You can't because despite it all, I tell my friends that are Huskies, you know? Yeah. You know, last time I was on the field with him, we kicked their tail, right. So you know what, you know, I got nothing to do after that. But so you want to be able to say that as Ryan, you will be able to say that the rest of your life especially gonna live up here in this year.

Chuck Shute: 33:35

Absolutely. So anyway, so back to your story, you graduate wazoo and then you the draft happens you don't get picked that you said there was three teams that were interested you obviously you end up settling with Atlanta who are the other two teams, though that you turned down.

Robbie Tobeck: 33:50

Houston, Chicago, okay. You know, Chicago was really, really interested in that. And that was close. But in Houston, you know, made some phone calls after the draft and said, hey, we'd like to, you know, like your invite, but I kind of kind of knew what that was just like, basically gonna end up being a camp invite, and they wouldn't give me much of a shot. The thing I liked about Atlanta and what made sense for me with Atlanta is you know, Keith row in the office line coach got on the phone with me. And I said, Look, this is our team we have these guys are starting five, this guy's going to make the team as our top backup for all positions. And then we have a guy that was on press squad last year. And then there's three other spots that we're going to bring a bunch of new rookies in, you know, maybe sign a couple you know, free agents or whatever and you guys are all gonna compete for these spots as those are good odds, you know, they're not set their rosters not set. And so all I got to do is be out another rookie, you know, rookie free agent just like me so so the odds were there to try to make the football team as opposed to a lot of times what you do is you you go to training camp and and you know the rosters kind of set already but they need bodies so you get an end But I really felt that way with Atlanta that I was gonna get a legitimate shot at making that football team.

Chuck Shute: 35:06

Yeah. And it was, this was a scary time for you though because again, they don't it's not there's no guarantees. And all you got was a shot and a tryout and your long shot kind of to make it in a way. And then it was this whole season you had a you had a kid on the way. So you're like, using your fear explains that you did that you used your fear to motivate you. It didn't it didn't freeze you or,

Robbie Tobeck: 35:26

well, I mean, you know, fear can be a motivator, or it can or it can, like you said it can freeze you. I mean, the fear of failure is a big motivator. And some people, some people can't function on that thing. And for me, it's probably my biggest motivator. Because, you know, when you set a goal, you want to reach that goal, or at least you know, at least get better trying to attain that goal. We don't reach all of our goals in life. That's just the way it is. But, but hopefully we get better by trying to reach goals and attain goals and and, you know, it just was one of those things were like, look, this is my dream. This is what I want to do. I had the pressures of you know, McKinsey being on the way, all those types of things, but it came down to doing certain things, learning the offense better than some of the other rookies. hustlin making blocks downfield, doing all those types of things. And I mentioned earlier Georgianna told me what to expect when I got in the NFL. Those are some of the things he told me. He said, look, make plays downfield blocking, and learn the offense. And by just doing those two things, I was able to get into the first preseason game ahead of all those other rookies, because I knew the offense, I knew I could go in and function and make calls and stuff was perfect. No. But what I did do was I also hustled, I learned the offense better so I could get in the game. And then I hustled and was able to a guy from Miami intercepted the football and you know, as a DB had a thing and I had an angle on him and I ran him down made tackle, stop the game. So so the the the, the mental part of it, the hustle part of it after that game, it was my job to lose at that point. And so, so again, just, you know, listening to people that have been there and done it and taking their advice and and continuing to work hard, stay positive coach price again, you know, another talk about the hard on coach price, and I owe him a lot as well. And during that year, when I was in Atlanta we had we had back then, you know when I was with the Seahawks it was always in training camp was ones verse ones, twos, verse twos, you know, he didn't have a lot of the ones versity and when I first got to Atlanta is Jerry Glanville and it was ones hertz twos all the time and we had just signed piers Holt, who was a you know, one of the top D tackles in the league, we brought him over from from San Francisco and playing center was easy for me I had to show him that I could play guard. Right. And so here I was lining up a guard because they wanted a guy that could do both. I knew I could play center that was easy did that I was like the second team garden the third team center and showing them both but when I was playing guard I was had peers whole line up on me every day and wearing me. Yeah, I mean, not even it was not fun just wearing me out. Right. And that's what happens. You know, your rookie year a lot of times, especially unless your first round pick, you know, you're expected to have some growing pains because it's the NFL you know, and COACH BRYCE called me midway through training camp asked me how I was going as a man I do not man I don't know I'm getting my tail kicked and this thing he said, Hey, you know screw those guys if they don't if they don't see your potential and they don't know you can play well we'll find another home for you. Yeah, I know you can play in that league and you can get it done. I mean, here he is taking time out of two days at Washington State to call me and check on me and give me give me a word of encouragement you know, cool so so you know it's little things like that and coach price did that you know, you mean that people don't know. But part of what made him so special you know and and so just doing those things that were of encouragement from Coach allow me to get to keep fighting and by the end of the year, I could block puresole

Chuck Shute: 39:22

That's awesome. So then you you're a practice squad player, I think your first year right but then eventually you work your way on to the starting lineup. So you got to tell this story. This is one of your career highlights, right 96 Your tight end goes down Mitch Lyons so they put you in at tight end and you get to score touchdown. This is awesome. Yeah, I never knew this.

Robbie Tobeck: 39:42

I'm starting at left guard is my first second year starting I'm starting to left guard and we show up to the stadium and and you know every every offensive lineman thinks they're two things could could be a receiver and and a basketball player. So, so we show up to the stadium and we're in the running shoot, which is what Washington State runs now. And yeah, we're in the run and shoot offense. And so we got one Titan on the roster. And his name is like I said, Miss Lyons. We are playing we're playing the Steelers that week was to use Mitch a lot. You know, in some games, we didn't use him at all, but our plan was he was going to be that was going to be our offense that week. Well, after the week of practice, Mitch shows up at the stadium on Sunday morning and fullback spasms can't can't even walk and he's just locked up he can't go so June Jones and mind you on the starting left guard comes up to me and says hey, when we go blue, which was our offense, you know, our blue offense had the tight end would be 11 personnel. We go blue, you you're playing tight end today. All right. And so he hands me a sheet of paper that has has all the routes and the plays and the routes and stuff and so I'm like alright, you know, so I'm studying this thing for the game and Bobby a bears quarterback and stuff and and I start the game at left guard, second or third play, we go blue. And we run that offense all the way down the field we get on the goal lines first first drive of the game and we get on the goal line. And Bobby calls a play and I don't remember that play bid on the sheet and I'm like Bobby, what do I do? And he goes just go to the corner. Okay, yeah. And so I remember like is yesterday I'm in my stance going okay, am I supposed to I suppose to block down and then go or do I just go to so when the ball was snapped I kind of blocked and when I did they you know they ignored me completely went to the gym. Everyone went to cover Jamal Anderson who was our you know, big star running back Yeah. Why I kinda I kind of drifted out to the to the back of the endzone and and next thing I know the balls coming at it slow motion I have all these thoughts going on in my head like oh crap, I'm in the wrong spot. You know and then I'm thinking No, he threw that to me I'm gonna go and catch it That's mine. You know all these thoughts going through my mind so I catch the ball and you know scored a touchdown and I go crazy.

Chuck Shute: 42:16

Yeah, cuz offensive lineman you don't get to score touchdowns very often.

Robbie Tobeck: 42:19

That's pretty amazing to do that a lot. So

Chuck Shute: 42:21

did you spike it or do you have a touchdown dance

Robbie Tobeck: 42:25

as well? I kind of just went crazy like run around but I guess when I ran around my I stiffen my arms up a little bit as I was running around and and Billy Joe Tolliver our backup quarterback at the time Texas Tech guy nicknamed it the dead fish the next

Chuck Shute: 42:49

that's awesome. And then Berman Berman talk to my

Robbie Tobeck: 42:52

nickname. Yeah, that's cool. Yeah, the toe back back, back back back, you know, baseball deal so so you know when you get a Berman nickname that's that's a highlight right there, man.

Chuck Shute: 43:02

Right. That's amazing. That's so cool. So yeah, then in 98 You got you guys blocked for you. Like you said Jamal Anderson. He has 1800 yards. And then that championship game against the Vikings. What is the kicker misses the game winner right? It's not what happened?

Robbie Tobeck: 43:18

Yeah, well, it was a it was one of those days. No one gave us a chance now. You know, they were 15 and one going I was Randy Moss, you know, Randall Cunningham, that whole deal and they were 15 and one couldn't be stopped and, and but you know, we were 14 and two. That's right. Yeah. Like every other year we'd had homefield you were 14 and two. We were a good football team and beat the Niners a week before and the vision around and and we were a good football team and but people didn't give us a chance. So went down there. Vikings got up early. We came back. And then their kicker Gary and assembly was didn't have I mean, he had he had Mr. Phil all year. Yes. Crazy. Miss one. Well, he misses. So the games tied we go into Oh, I think we yeah, we wouldn't know overtime. Yeah. And of course we had Morten Andersen. We had the other Anderson and more a Hall of Famer. Yeah to run into him this last August but Morton's a Hall of Famer and God, I mean, he was gonna make that kick all day long. And here we are, we're, you know, we're going to the Super Bowl. We got the upset win in Minneapolis and also the Super Bowl we went so

Chuck Shute: 44:30

so after the Superbowl you go, so I didn't know this store. I think a lot of people know the thing with Eugene Robinson, he got into a little trouble in the Navy for the Superbowl. But I didn't know about this plane controversy. Can you explain this to my listeners where Dan Reeves said that the Pro Bowlers and the 10 year veterans would get out of the plane first. And that pissed off Terrence Mathis, the wide receiver and some other people so it was like the team kind of divided on this this this. Some people said well, that was a great idea because these people showed leadership and then other people said Well, no, we were a team we shouldn't there shouldn't be people favored.

Robbie Tobeck: 45:03

Yeah, you know, I don't think Dad minute as as people favorite or anything like that and he was just a respect thing and an honor thing like this guy's a 10 year veteran, you know, yeah, you know, but frankly, I don't recall that ever being much of much of an issue. You know, Terrence was a great player for us. And and I mean a great player for us and made a lot of big plays a big reason we're there that year. But, you know, I think it was just one of those deals. I I don't recall it just being being that big of an issue. Certainly what wasn't to me. And, you know, the bigger issue I think was, was the night before the Superbowl, and Eugene got his trouble. But that's, you know, that was one of those things that happened. And, you know, we weren't able to overcome it on on on game day in a you know, on a, you know, you can't put it all on Eugene. I mean, you know, I ended up getting hurt. You know, we had guys that had made plays during the year that didn't make plays. We had some other guys that were talking a little bit during the week, and they didn't back that talk, you know, so. So it was all that sort of thing that kind of led to that. Us not getting the win.

Chuck Shute: 46:12

Yeah, well, still cool to play in the Super Bowl, though. That's,

Robbie Tobeck: 46:15

yeah, you know, I was I was fortunate enough to play, you know, down there in Miami and the play in it. And I was fortunate to play in two of them. And you just, there's just nothing like it. I mean, it's this the ultimate playing in that game?

Chuck Shute: 46:32

Yeah. So when you go to the Seahawks, you're working with Coach homerun. And you say, you say he's the best coach I've ever had. Yeah, so I,

Robbie Tobeck: 46:41

you know, he's, he's one of the guys I like playing for, you know, I'm the most and I always thought he did it. No one, he's a great coach. He knows football, he knows a game, but he knows. He knows people. And he knows players better than, Oh, he always struck me as a guy that knew his players better, better than players thought he knew, you know, I think there's some guys that think he doesn't relate, you know, no, he knew his guys. And he knew, you know, he knew what to say and what and how to say it sometimes. And, and sometimes that ruffled feathers, but I always thought it was really fair. You know, he would pat you on the back, he'd also he'd also tear you down a little bit. And, and, but I know it always came from the right spot in the right place. And that's one of the things I liked about him. And I related well to him, you know, a lot of the things he felt I felt, you know, and, and I saw that passion and where it came from, and, and I just really enjoyed playing for him. And he was good to me. And it's funny you come, you know, I spent the seven years in Atlanta and had worked so hard the time I was in Atlanta to to become a starter to get respect. And you know, then we went to the Super Bowl and all that stuff. And then you're you know, couple years later, you're you're in Seattle, but the fact that you had been to the Super Bowl, and you and you were a starter in the league, and you've done some stuff, and you've come into the locker room, and you're you're you're given respect, just because you know, where you've been what you've done. And and I thought that was I thought that was pretty cool. And Coach homerun gave me that respect as a veteran player and stuff like that and said, you know, this is what I need from you. And then and I'm the type of guy that if coach tells me, this is what I need, or this is what I want. I'm not gonna let you down, man, I'm gonna get it done somehow, someway. And, as opposed to where a lot of guys maybe need a little, you know, neither backside shoot to get him going or something like, I was more motivated by not letting you down. And, and so, you know, he did that and and gave me that opportunity to be able to lead and be respected and those types of things. And I certainly wasn't going to, you know, let that let him down in that respect.

Chuck Shute: 48:58

That's it. No, you did great. One thing I remember that era ducks. I mean, I'm a big Seahawks fan. I watched all those games. I just remember there was a lot of dropped balls. And it's like, I mean, it's easy for me to sit on the couch and be like, Oh, just catch the frickin ball. But like, how was that handled in the locker room? And in the huddle, like just try to move on and just not think about it? Or I mean, just homerun these guys down or?

Robbie Tobeck: 49:21

Yeah, I mean, homerun, you said this this thing, he would say that if you're gonna if you're if you're gonna play receiver and drop the ball, you might as well be playing guard you're not doing me any good. Either way. It was his point. Like, you know, so I remember we went through some of that in and you know, and you know, as part of the growing pains and, and and, you know, some guys that would drop it a little bit because maybe the focus wasn't there all the time, those types of things and, and it was just one of the things you got to overcome. I mean, sometimes an offensive lineman gets beat per sec. or a holding call or those types of things, and those can be Dr. Killers and so can can drop in a ball, but you got to all come together as a team. And I remember one time I said something to one of the receivers on the sidelines and about a drop ball and, and all the receivers jumped me, you know, a jump, you know, not physically but you know, jump. Yeah, you know, and to their point was, you know, you guys, you guys do your job, and we'll get our job done. You know, and, and so you gotta have a little bit of that team, you got to be able to say something to each other, but you got to do it the right way sometimes and, and, you know, he can't let your emotions get too carried away, out there. Even though it's an emotional game, and I was an emotional player. You got to learn to restrain that emotion at times and be able to function and, and get along and nobody wants to drop a ball. Nobody wants to give up a sack. It's just it's football.

Chuck Shute: 50:55

Yeah, well, I mean, you guys have had some great games. Either way, that Packers game the playoff game. Or Hasselbeck? Like we want the ball and we're gonna score I love that. You love that? Did everyone love that though? homerun was kind of pissed about it, wasn't he?

Robbie Tobeck: 51:10

No, you know, I think, you know, I, I think everyone felt that way. You know, and, and Mike included, I mean, you know, it's become more famous because of how it turned out, you know, just what the very next play, you know, the first play, you throw the, the picksix. And the game's over, but, you know, to Matt's credit, you know, that, that that play wasn't on him, you know, and sure, when you're throwing a timing route, and things are thrown on time and stuff like that, both quarterback receiver offens lie, everybody's got to be, you know, in the same time and same time and, and, you know, so but, you know, he was classy enough to just, you know, move on from it, and then not say and took the blame. And, and so, you know, even through those times when, when you don't have success, or through the tough times, you do things right away, and you're able to gain respect. And he gained respect in the locker room through that. And it was the next year. You know, we're heading to Super Bowl.

Chuck Shute: 52:12

Yeah, that's awesome. So that was a great year for you. I mean, you That was your first pro bowl. You're right. Yeah, yeah. And then you guys break this touchdown record with Shaun Alexander. I mean, that's got to be easily the best Oh, line and Seahawks history's it's one of the isn't one of the best in the NFL history thing.

Robbie Tobeck: 52:29

Yeah. You know, I think, you know, if you read their ratings of you know, I've seen some articles through the years ranking, that offensive line is one of the top, you know, top five or maybe honorable mention for the top five things like that. I've seen different opinions out there. And one of the opinions was, you know, if we, if we'd all been together just a little bit longer, certainly probably one of the best offensive lines, you know, maybe maybe to play I mean, you got first ballot Hall of Famer and Walter Jones, you got Hutch who went in the Hall of Fame this year. Well, really last year, but got the induction this year and then myself I you know, was able to make pro bowl that year and Chris Gray, who whole you know, retired with SEOG record for I think games started. Hmm, something like that. And most consecutive games are some I think Russell recently broke that record a year ago, but and then we plugged in a young guy Shawn Locklear, and that right tackle spot had been kind of a revolving door for a while, but we just weren't able to keep that that unit together, much longer, you know, long enough to really separate ourselves, you know, like some of the orphans of lions in the past, you know, might have done like the hog. So, you know, from the Redskins,

Chuck Shute: 53:42

right. Well, how important is the chemistry on the offensive line? Isn't that a big part of the success for offensive lines? Like, if you have the you guys all work together? That's where you're saying it would have been if you had worked longer to be even more prolific?

Robbie Tobeck: 53:56

Yeah, you know, the chemistry is huge. And we had a smart group, a group that that really studied and studied the game and, and took pride in that part of it. You know, with, you know, the inside group, you know, Chris, myself hutch, and while we played together a lot, you know, we got a lot done together it's always kind of that right tackle that was the revolving door until a lot later got there. But, but, you know, I could look at Chris I could look at hutch, I could, you know, I could just give him one word where another offensive line there might be all these calls and different things that would give a defensive line direction like you might make a Lynnie call or lucky call or something like that well centers going left you know, that's everyone knows that right? Well, I would just call a number and I wouldn't say anything, but these guys knew which knew where I was going because they knew the offense as well and they knew I knew what I was doing or or you know, I would have this was supposed to be pop bell or pop art. You know, I would just say pop and just to let them know I was popping out you know take a take a double read or something like that. So, so just being able to be smart being on the same page hassle back on the same page with us, you know, as far as blitz pick up, we spent a lot of time doing that type of stuff and and got on the same page with our quarterback and a lot of times are receivers who have to break around all those types of things and stuff. So just having a group, that group of guys that were you know, we're smart, cared about their job, and I think that's part of what just made us really good.

Chuck Shute: 55:31

Yeah, well, gosh, you guys were amazing. I love the NFC Championship game that year. That was amazing. Was that the loudest game that you had ever played in?

Robbie Tobeck: 55:38

Yeah, I mean, as soon as you said NFC Championship game as the first thought, Okay. I mean, literally, me, you know, me to the screen here, just screaming at each other, to even hear each other, you know, and that's what I'm talking about that emotion, that intensity. It just comes out, I'm getting goosebumps even thinking about it just comes out of the stands. And, and, you know, it's one of the great things in life. I mean, it's one of those things that to, to be in that environment, to be able to go out and be successful and win that game and be in that environment. It's an experience that that that people just don't get, you know, you know, I've been, I had a son that played college football, I'm proud of him, my daughter show horses, my other son, you know, is a heck of a football player and wins his bass tournaments. And I you know, I'm proud. I'm proud of all their stuff they do and everything, but, and I'm proud of some of the other stuff I've done in business and things like that, but nothing replaces that. That right there. I mean, that's, that's the ultimate and and I don't know that it gets any better than that. It says it was pretty cool experience. Oh,

Chuck Shute: 56:43

yeah. It was amazing. Obviously, you know, the Superbowl didn't turn out the way we wanted. And, you know, we could blame the refs or whatever should happen. Ken Hamlin gotten a bar fight, and then he doesn't play. So lots of bad factors. So then the next year, what do you think happened was Shaun Alexander because he went from 1800 yard rusher to just never been quite the same. Was it because Hutchinson left or was it because of Alexander's injury? Was he too old? Did he just not care? Because he got the money? Like, what's your thoughts on that?

Robbie Tobeck: 57:10

No, you know, I think there's, there's a lot of things, you know, you know, guy gets hurt. That's a factor. I think we you know, we lose touch. That's a factor. I got, I got sick, eight games into that, that season, that next year. And I ended up in the hospital and couldn't play the rest of the season. So now you have you got for the last half of that year, you got two starters off that team that went super bowl off that offensive line, you got two starters that are out. And you know, there's a reason. There was a reason we are the starters. You know, sure. There's a reason, you know, we went pro bowls, and there's a reason which is in the Hall of Fame. I mean, yeah, it's not just because people want him in there, he earned that thing, you know, and he earned it through playing his tail off. And and so, so that's to me, you know, that's a big part of it. And then, you know, sometimes you find that magic and it's hard to find again, and you know, we had the same thing in Atlanta we very similar year six in both places. running backs ahead 1800 yards rushing quarterbacks through for, you know, go to Mount bend, but don't break defense. It's very similar teams. And I went to the, to the Super Bowl with both times. And, you know, we had Jamal that next year, they were playing the Cowboys, I think second game of the year, bone, Bosnia. And so you just don't recover. You take out a key piece like that, and it's hard to recover from.

Chuck Shute: 58:38

So how much do you think just luck plays a role in in success? Especially with football? I mean, that's got to be a big piece. Because like, even with you, like you had some good luck, too, because if you got hurt your rookie year, that could have been the end, right?

Robbie Tobeck: 58:53

Yeah, you know, I remember. I don't know, my 13th year in the league. Chris Gray and I were both rookies The same year, and a rookie came up to me and asked me a question. He said, he said, you know, what's the key to longevity in the league? And I said, Well, I said, you know, you got to stay healthy. I mean, that's a big part of it. You know, it's being lucky enough to not get hurt and not give the guy banja chance or whatever it might be being able being available. And he looked at me he goes, You know, I just asked Chris Gray the same question. He said the exact same thing. Is there I mean, yeah, part of part of winning the Super Bowl is is you got to stay healthy. You know. And, and that's a big deal. You can have the best team on paper but go out and play the football games. You can't stay healthy. You're not gonna win the Super Bowl. Okay, who you are. So you got to be a little bit lucky that way and, and you know, sometimes the ball it's nice to have the ball bounce your

Chuck Shute: 59:51

way, right? Yeah, that definitely plays a part but so then with the injury thing, I mean, besides the luck of some of it is just total, you know, Wrong place, wrong time or whatever. But is there anything that you can do to prevent injuries or any tricks that you've learned throughout the years, like either feeling faster, or preventing things or,

Robbie Tobeck: 1:00:07

you know, that has progressed so much. Since, you know, I was a rookie in 93. And, you know, it from from that time to now it's just, it's night and day, the guys, you know, I was part of the group that, you know, we're into, you know, taking our protein and our supplements and getting strong. And we, you know, we worked hard in the weight room, we did all that type stuff. And now these guys, you know, toward the end of my career, I had, every Tuesday, I had a massage schedule, you know, every Tuesday morning, I had, you know, I started doing some of that stuff. And now these guys have it to another level where, where they've got, you know, you know, some of these guys got a staff, you know, this guy's My nutritionist, this guy's my supplement guy, this guy's my, my massage, you know, they got, they got a whole staff of people that take care of them. And then frankly, the nutrition at the facilities is a lot better, you know, you go to see all facility now. And you've got chef, you've got big kitchens, they got all these options, everything else. And back when I played heck, when I was in Atlanta, man, we were running the Burger King for lunch, you know, and things like that. And it's just, it's just, it's just a different world. So I think that's all that's all very important. You know, training, obviously, and the type of training and training for explosive movements that can be very important. But heck, I mean, I blew my patellar tendon, my second week with the Seahawks working out in the offseason, you know, and it just, it's a, it was an exercise, I've done a million times, and I did it and I was fine. And we decided to do it one more time, and I blew my knee up. So it's like, it's, you know, it can be, you know, a lot of it is luck, you know, just twist in the wrong way or guy rolling up on you and those types of things. But, you know, there's certain things, you know, pull strains, things like that can can oftentimes be mitigated for,

Chuck Shute: 1:01:54

for sure. What do you think of the Seahawks now, like, what I always think, like, what if Russell Wilson had that 2005 offensive line? Like how much he would be insane?

Robbie Tobeck: 1:02:05

Yeah, I always wanted to block for Marshawn Lynch, you know, I was kind of when I retired, and then they got him. I was like, man, no, that would have been a bad dude block for, you know, on, you know, because, because he brought a certain attitude to the game that we tried to bring to the game and stuff like that would have been fun. But, you know, like, these guys are out there playing I think, I think, you know, you know, to be to be fair, I you know, I think you know, sometimes, you know, Russell would do a better job of stepping up in the pocket as opposed to scramble around backwards the way he does, because that can put your tackles in particular at a bad bad spot, because they're trying to run guys back there. But you say that and then all sudden, he runs around, he throws an 80 yard bond to lock it and we win the game, right? Yeah, there's good with the bad it can look ugly at times, though. And I just think, you know, you know, it's just this is one of those years has been a little challenging and it's a challenge that that Russell hasn't failed since he's been in the league I don't think he's had a losing record. He's been he's been good and played on good teams and stuff. So you know, they've got to finish the year strong they got to continue to try to get better I think that's the that's the thing to do is you can never you can never rest on your laurels and when it's going and when when and when you're struggling you just got to keep fighting and so the you know, the object does it continue to try to get better I think back when we you know, in my see holidays, you know, beaten the dang rams.

Chuck Shute: 1:03:33

Yeah, that was

Robbie Tobeck: 1:03:35

better than them. Yeah. For about two years there. They were beaten us because for for some reason, I can't tell you what, we could not get over that hump. Mmm. We lost them in the playoffs here that one year and it was like, Oh, God, we should have blown that team out. They weren't that good.

Chuck Shute: 1:03:51

And was that the time you guys lost him? It was like three, three times they beat beat you.

Robbie Tobeck: 1:03:56

Yeah, that was the year that was rough. And then that next year, you know, we climbed that mountain, we beat it, you know, and we figured it out. And we got it done. And then that then they couldn't beat us. You know? And so sometimes it's just, you know, you just keep pounding your head until you finally get get

Chuck Shute: 1:04:14

Yeah, so do you think you think Wilson will be back on the CRC? Pete Carroll will be back are you think they're gonna do like a rebuild or something?

Robbie Tobeck: 1:04:22

Yeah, you know, I think these guys earned earned enough to, uh, to, to, you know, get another year together. You know, I mean, you know, I don't think it's time to blow it up. Yeah. Now you come back out next year and your your, your three and eight start the year you say okay, well, maybe it's time you know, maybe because I don't know what it is sometimes to, you know, guys lose their edge or the change of scenery does better for some, you know, but coaches lose, you know, lose their messaging or whatever it might be. And I'm not saying that's happened in this case. I'm just saying. It's weird how that works sometimes. And that's what makes a New England so impressive. You know? belcheck As you know, his messaging is what it is, and this is how we're doing it. And that hasn't changed. And he, you know, made and, you know, the fact that him and Brady were together so long the success they've had and they can both continue have separately. It's, it's it That's an impressive thing. And it's a hard thing to do. And you see that here with, with Pete and Russell now that it's hard to sustain for as long as those guys stay in. That's what makes it so special.

Chuck Shute: 1:05:26

Yeah, no, it's all fascinating. Well, this has been great. I've really enjoyed this conversation, I want to thank you for doing it. And taking the time. I do like to end each episode with a charity. I don't know if I mentioned that. Is there a nonprofit or charity or just a cause that is near and dear to your heart?

Robbie Tobeck: 1:05:40

Well, you know, I've been doing some stuff lately for actually going to events and Ronald McDonald House charity, locally. You know, obviously, we all will know about the Ronald McDonald House, this charity in particular does a good job of taking kids around around Christmas time providing a gift taking them on in before COVID. They were taking them on a cruise around like Washington, do some of that type stuff and everything. So, so that's been one that's kind of near and dear to my heart.

Chuck Shute: 1:06:11

Okay, I'll put that in the notes. And then also want to mention to your you have this insurance company, which I thought it was fascinating that you started working insurance while you were still in the league.

Robbie Tobeck: 1:06:22

Right? Well, it's part of being a rookie free agent.

Chuck Shute: 1:06:26

Oh, it was that time. Okay, so you weren't sure if you were gonna be? Yeah,

Robbie Tobeck: 1:06:29

you just never know, you know, and, you know, any, we talked about luck a minute ago, staying healthy, right? You need that patellar tendon, I tore it with the CRS that could have been it was able to come back and play but that could have been right. And so I just, you know, always wanted to be prepared. And, you know, we've we've been able to grow our agency and do a good job at Griff McLean. And we just actually were acquired on November 1 by USI. So now we're part of one of the largest brokerages in the country and, and probably the world and excited about new challenges and being able to do more for my clients and offer more and stuff. So it's, it's an exciting time for us and to see a lot of the hard work we put in pay off in the insurance world as well.

Chuck Shute: 1:07:21

Yeah, so who can? What kind of clients do you look for high profile clients, or just anybody could get insurance from you guys are?

Robbie Tobeck: 1:07:27

Well, you know, certainly we do home and auto for anyone on the business side, I'm always looking, you know, I specialize in contractors and bonding accounts, those types of things, but, but certainly any, any company commercial, you know, type, you know, business, you know, property managers, though, you know, properties, all that type of stuff is certainly right, right in our vertical and one of the things we like to do,

Chuck Shute: 1:07:51

okay, cool. Well, that's been, this has been great. Like I said, Thank you so much for doing this. I appreciate it. And people need to check out the insurance company. All right. I appreciate it. All right. Thank you. See you later, Robbie. Have a good one. Bye, bye. Well, if you're a football fan, those are some great stories even better. If you're a fan of the team's like I am. I really enjoyed it. If you did to make sure to subscribe to the show, so you get notifications on future episodes, and let me know who you'd like to see on the show for future episodes. I'm having a lot of fun with these sports interviews. And I think it's good to get the x ballplayers because they have a lot more stories than current players. So make sure to check out Robbie's insurance company Griffin McLean. I may get a quote myself because I'm in the market for new insurance company after my whole fiasco with all state. So alright, well, that's it. Thank you for listening. Have a great rest of your day. And remember to shoot for the moon.