From Canada to Mississippi: Lindy Robinson talks about her son Tavius and his journey to Ole Miss
Editor’s Note: The Rebel Walk recently had the pleasure of visiting with Lindy Robinson, mother of Ole Miss’ talented defensive end, Tavius Robinson.
OXFORD, Miss. — It’s not that common to see Canadians come to the United States to play NCAA football. But fortunately for Ole Miss football, one very talented Canadian — defensive lineman Tavius Robinson — did just that.
Watching their child pack two bags and fly from Guelph, Canada, to Oxford, Mississippi, to begin a new life playing college football — all in the span of a week and during a pandemic — was not something Lindy and Patrick Robinson ever expected to happen. Yet, his parents embraced their son’s opportunity.
Before COVID, Tavius attended the University of Guelph, where he played football. Because Tavius was an outstanding athlete, his parents encouraged him to send his highlight tape to football programs.
Tavius Robinson with his mom, Lindy, and dad, Patrick. (Photo courtesy of the Robinson family.)
“He was such a humble kid,” Lindy said.
“I used to tell him, ‘Get it out there. Send your tape.’ Tavius thought it was bragging at the time. So, until he was kind of forced into the situation, he was ok with just playing local university ball. Tavius knew after high school he would go to university, play football, and probably go to the CFL (Canadian Football League). His goal may have been set to get to the NFL, but it’s difficult for Canadians to make that transition.”
Lindy Robinson
COVID pandemic brings upheaval — and a new school
The COVID pandemic brought upheaval, and halted all sports in Canada. That’s when Tavius realized he had to make a move and start putting himself out there.
One coach found his tape, then another, and another. Zoom calls with coaches began happening quickly, and the family had to rely on their gut instincts because school visits were not an option during COVID.
Neither was the luxury of having time to decide where to go. “It was all Zoom,” Lindy explains.
“It was a huge decision to make, and we literally had one week. It all started unraveling quickly and within a week he had his bags packed and was on a plane. He had offers from LSU, Michigan State, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss. We talked as a family about it and the different pros and cons of each school. Ultimately, Ole Miss just seemed like the best fit for him. Tavius liked what he heard from the coaches, their schemes, and where he would fit in the program. There were a lot of factors to consider. He was like I could go to the sun and the water and the beach. I was like, no, that’s going to be trouble. You don’t need distractions. Go to the small town. Fight through and earn your spot.”
Lindy Robinson
Arriving in Oxford: Self-discipline and Leadership
Arriving in Oxford, Tavius was anxious to get to work, but COVID restrictions required him to quarantine for two weeks before beginning practice with the team.
As Lindy relates the story, “Everyone was amazing. They met him at the airport and took him to the hotel. They provided his meals and made him comfortable. Tavius couldn’t do anything. So, he was working out in the hotel room, just doing anything he could to work out and stay in shape until he could get out there,” she notes.
One thing that most likely helped their son through those weeks of quarantine was that he is self-disciplined, and Lindy and Patrick reinforced life skills that Tavius carries with him today.
“He is very smart and disciplined,” Lindy says of her son, “That has to come from within.”
Another thing that helped Tavius are his innate leadership qualities. One can look at the tenacity with which he plays and automatically see his love for the game of football and how he encourages his teammates to be their best.
This leadership quality was something Lindy noticed about Tavius early on.
“I saw the way local kids looked up to him and the way his peers spoke about him. Teachers, everybody in his life spoke highly of him. As a parent, that makes your heart melt. I don’t take credit for it. I look at it as if he’s just a good person. He’s done it for himself. He was once described by a coach as being a silent leader. So, if you know Tavius, he doesn’t speak a lot. He leads with action and by example. He doesn’t care about taking the credit. Tavius is very much a ‘we did it as a team’ player. He puts himself back before he puts himself forward. They (the team) rise together. They play together as a team, and they get the job done. That’s the main thing to him.”
Lindy Robinson on Tavius’ leadership qualities
That resolve to achieve and get the job done are attributes that apply to Tavius. Those same traits have helped him become a leader on an Ole Miss defense that has come out strong and continued to progress throughout the season.
Many Ole Miss fans may not know that Tavius was hurt last season; a teammate fell on him during practice injuring the lineman’s knee.
Lindy explained the injury and surgical repair: “Last year, Tavius was playing with a bad knee injury, and no one really knew that. He had knee surgery, it was just a cleanup of the knee, and he has come out as the Tavius I know this year. So, is it a more aggressive defense? I think probably so. Do I see him playing better? Yes, but that’s probably because I know he’s one hundred percent with his knee now. He has been since January. Tavius loves his coaching staff, and he loves his fellow players. I’ve always said about him, the harder the competition, the more you are going to see from him.”
Mr. Levis, meet Mr. @Taviusrobinson!
Intentional grounding in the end zone by Levis gives Ole Miss the safety! pic.twitter.com/1GUEVDWy63
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) October 1, 2022
A good teammate, humble and hard-working
Being a good teammate and playing with men who challenge him to excel on the field of play are things Tavius relishes. Whether as a son, brother, friend, teammate, or player, he possesses an all-in mentality.
“Tavius is firm,” Lindy tells us of her son.
“If he’s taught to do something, that’s what he does. He doesn’t go out and play for himself. It’s easy for a player to go out and say, ‘I’m going to make a risky move here and make myself look good.’ Tavius doesn’t do that.”
Lindy on Tavius
Tavius Robinson is a humble man and finds his validation in personal achievement, not accolades. According to Lindy, social media has never really been his thing.
“He’s never been one to put himself out there,” she explains.
“I come back to his humbleness. Tavius has never been one to brag or boast. If you ever follow him on Instagram, you’re not going to see him post much. But when you see that one post, that post is getting a lot of likes and comments because people are looking for him to post. As a parent, I tell him to put himself out there. Tavius doesn’t agree with that….Tavius validates himself. He really doesn’t need validation from others… Lane Kiffin tells them it’s rat poison. So, Tavius doesn’t care about social media or outside influence, fake news. He knows what’s going on. He knows he has a job to do.”
Lindy Robinson on Tavius’ humbleness
Tavius talks to his sister, Nassia, and brother, Keyon, through texts and phone calls as much as possible. He Facetimes his parents, but they understand that he is busy. The Robinson family only gets down to Oxford for one game a season, but loves to watch them all.
Tavius Robinson with his brother, Keyon, and sister, Nassia. (Photo courtesy of the Robinson family.)
“Even the smallest games (not just the big rivalry games) are huge to us,” Lindy says, “Just to see him play and the team. That’s all we look forward to,” she explained.
“The nail-biter games, I hate them, but I love them. You’re at home and like, oh my gosh! You yell at the TV. We have people over and cook up a bunch of food. His grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all watch every weekend and are so proud of him. The whole city (Guelph) has just rallied around him,” Lindy continues.
Y’all! What a defensive play on the forced fumble by Jared Ivey and the recovery by @Taviusrobinson!! Literally game-changing as the Rebels beat No. 7 Kentucky, 22-19! #PartyInTheSip pic.twitter.com/xLnfdRfJqc
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) October 1, 2022
Life after Ole Miss football
Lindy says the plan for life after Ole Miss football includes Tavius declaring for the NFL draft. Tavius’ dad, Patrick, is a Steelers fan, and his son grew up cheering for them too.
Tavius’ dad, Patrick, is a Steelers’ fan, but the DL’s family would be happy to see him play anywhere in the NFL he can learn and grow. (Photo: The Robinson family)
Now, Tavius has a different mentality of wanting to play for a team with players from whom he can learn and hone his skills. For the talented defensive lineman, it’s not the team name or the city but who plays for the team and how his teammates can challenge him to become a better player.
“Hopefully, he will get invited to the combine,” Lindy says, “and will show them what he has. I would love him to be in Buffalo because it’s close. But I would love him to be in the sun too, where he never has to see snow again. You don’t get to pick, though. So, wherever he goes, we will love to see him play. Whoever gets him is getting not just an amazing football player but an amazing person.”
‘Thank-you’ to Oxford and Ole Miss
The Robinson family recognizes how Ole Miss and the people there have taken her son in and made him feel loved and welcomed.
Lindy appreciates everyone and extends these words to the Ole Miss family:
“Thanks for the support. I appreciate everyone that buys a ticket and spends money tailgating. It’s a lot of work and time people put into it. Anyone that shows up and cheers the team on, we appreciate it. It’s amazing. We appreciate the coaching staff and everyone that welcomed him and made it feel like home. Everyone that’s been kind to him along the way, I want to tell them thank you because his parents can’t be there to do it. The lunch lady at the school is so kind to him. (Defensive line) Coach (Randall) Joyner’s wife, Trimiesha, has the boys over for meals sometimes and stuff like that. So, I send her thank you messages. Some of these people are raising my child for me.”
Lindy Robinson on her thankfulness for Oxford and Ole Miss
November 24th will be the Egg Bowl, Senior Night, and the final time Tavius Robinson takes the field at Vaught-Hemingway to play as a Rebel.
Tavius Robinson with his mom and dad inside the Ole Miss Indoor Practice Facility. (Photo courtesy of the Robinson family.)
What the next chapter holds for him is yet to be written. However, there is one certainty that Lindy knows will remain steadfast no matter where life takes Tavius. Lindy speaks with such pride as she tells us:
“Tavius is grounded in who he is as a person. You know some people get braggish, show-offish, their attitude changes. The way they treat people changes. But for him, that’s not going to happen….Tavius just lives a simple life. I think that’s never going to change. You can take him from the small town of Guelph to Mississippi to the next level to whichever city he gets to play for, and he’s still going to be Tavius. He’s not going to change.”
Lindy Robinson on Tavius’ steadfastness
The pandemic brought a lot of angst, heartache, and trials for many people. However, the pandemic did a positive thing in bringing Ole Miss Tavius Robinson.
Rebels fans are proud of the young man from Guelph, Canada, who chose to call Ole Miss his new home and wish him all the best in pursuing his dream of playing in the NFL.
Tavius, play strong. Stay safe, and remember Ole Miss fans will always be cheering for you no matter where the road of life leads.
Here are some more of the Robinson’s family photos.
(Feature image credit: Petre Thomas, Ole Miss)
Donna Sprabery
Donna Sprabery is a former teacher, graduation coach, and academic coach for boys basketball. She graduated from the University of West Alabama with a major in business education and from Arkansas State University with a MA in Educational Leadership. A native of Meridian, MS, Donna enjoys traveling, gardening, writing, volunteer work, and cheering on the Rebels.
