When Falcons defensive back Eugene Robinson was arrested on charges of solicitation the night before Super Bowl XXXIII, no one was sure what effect the incident would have on the team in their game against Denver.
The Falcons would lose 34-19 in their first and still their only appearance in the big game.
“It had an effect,’’ said Terance Mathis, who was the team’s No. 1 receiver that year. “But was it the main reason we lost the game? I don’t think so.’’
While Robinson did get burned for a deep touchdown in the game, the Broncos also had setbacks. Running back Terrell Davis played with a sore groin muscle and tight end Shannon Sharpe left the game early with a torn knee ligament.
But Mathis said plenty went wrong for his team. There were blown coverages and missed blocking assignments and Broncos quarterback John Elway was 18-for-29 for 336 yards while Falcons quarterback Chris Chandler was sacked twice and threw three interceptions.
“We did things offensively that we didn’t do all year and the same thing on defense,’’ he said. “That’s just the history of the Super Bowl. A lot of people were upset with Eugene, but we didn’t make the adjustments.’’
To this day, Mathis still maintains his relationship with Robinson, adding, “I don’t hold a grudge against Eugene. I love him. We all make mistakes.’’
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