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Times wireBarret Robbins took a bullet in his heart and his lung, police said, and remains in critical condition in Miami.
When Barret Robbins disappeared before the Super Bowl two years ago, it enraged some of his teammates.
Once they learned the talented center was a recovering alcoholic with bipolar disorder who had contemplated suicide, that anger quickly turned to sadness. Most supported him as he worked his way back as a football player and person.
The news that Robbins, who was cut by the Raiders before training camp in July, had been shot by police in an altercation in Miami Beach on Saturday night is another discouraging development in this troubled 31-year-old's story.
Robbins, arrested last month in San Francisco on suspicion of hitting a security guard at a night club, appears to be on a rapid decline despite his efforts to get his life in order.
"It's sad," said Raiders linebacker Travian Smith, reached in Texas on Monday and told of the shooting for the first time. "It was good to see somebody like that who had a bad thing happen get a second chance with the team. It's always good to see somebody get a second chance in life. I guess he couldn't get well enough. All in all, I thought he was a pretty cool person as far as work goes."
Robbins remained in critical but stable condition Monday in a Miami hospital, his agent, Drew Pittman, said. Robbins was arrested and is expected to be charged with battery on a police officer and trespassing.
The former Pro Bowl player, believed to weigh nearly 400 pounds, suffered multiple gunshot wounds after police found him inside the administrative office of a building that houses a nightclub, a gym and a jewelry store.
Police told the Miami Herald that an agitated Robbins was hiding in a women's bathroom when three officers confronted him and a struggle ensued. Police said he was coaxed out of the upstairs bathroom and was being escorted to a hallway by plainclothes detectives Mike Muley and Mark Schoenfeld when he saw a uniformed officer and was startled.
Robbins attacked the officers and reached for one officer's gun before Muley fired, according to police.
One bullet pierced Robbins' heart, the other his lung. Robbins was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital. His wife, Marisa, flew in from Oakland on Monday to be at her husband's side.
"Mr. Robbins was throwing the three officers around like rag dolls," said Fraternal Order of Police lawyer Daniel Lurvey, who represents Muley. "This was an unfortunate incident, but Muley was incredibly courageous and saved his own life and that of the two other officers."
Muley suffered minor head injuries and was treated and released from a hospital.
Some of Robbins' teammates are already coming to his defense. Running back Tyrone Wheatley wants to learn more details.
"You really never know what the exact particulars are," Wheatley said Monday, noting Robbins' other problems shouldn't be part of what took place Saturday. "This is an isolated incident. The previous things don't have anything to do with it. That's what turns my stomach. We don't know that the cop in Miami did the right procedures. You never know."