Brian Robison signs 1-day contract to retire with Vikings

A fan-favorite of the Minnesota Vikings has signed a one-day contract to officially retire from the NFL with Minnesota.

Brian Robison spent 11 seasons with the Vikings at defensive end. He became a fan-favorite for his “reeling in the big fish” celebration after getting a sack. He had 60 sacks in 173 games, including 103 starts, with the Vikings.

The 60 sacks is ninth in franchise history, and third among Vikings’ defensive ends.

In a fitting way, the Vikings released a video on social media of Robison on a fishing boat reading a heartfelt letter to the team's front office, teammates and fans. Fishing is one of Robison's favorite hobbies away from the football field.

Robison was a part of teams that won four NFC North Division titles and got to two NFC title games. He was drafted by the Vikings in the fourth round in 2007 and spent his entire career in Minnesota.

Robison recorded a career-high nine sacks in 2013, and it was the last of three straight seasons with at least eight sacks. He had 12 tackles for a loss in 2013 among his 37 total tackles.

Robison missed just three games over his 11 seasons with the Vikings, and at one point, started 73 straight games between 2012 and 2017.

He's also been active in the Twin Cities community with the Brian Robison Reel 'Em In Foundation, with his wife Jayme, which helps provide financial, emotional and physical support for people in need. The foundation was established in 2015 and raises money through fishing tournaments in Minnesota and Texas.

Robison was released on cut day last season, and didn't play in 2018. He's behind only Carl Eller and Jim Marshall for Vikings' defensive ends with 173 career games played.