Cincinnati Bengals rookie Landon Robinson, a former Naval Academy midshipman and Marine Corps officer, made his NFL debut in a full dress uniform on Sunday, coinciding with the league's tribute to the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Robinson, a defensive tackle drafted in the seventh round, arrived at the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his service uniform.
Robinson graduated from the Naval Academy in May 2026 with a degree in cyber operations and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He is playing for the Bengals under a provision that allows a limited number of service academy athletes to pursue professional sports while serving in the reserves. This arrangement allows him to play for Cincinnati while fulfilling a 10-year reserve commitment that does not currently interrupt his football career. He could return to active duty at a later date.
The Bengals selected Robinson in the April draft, marking their first selection from a service academy since 1968. Despite being undersized at 6-foot and 295 pounds, Robinson credits the Naval Academy with shaping his leadership, discipline, and work ethic, qualities he believes were instrumental in earning a roster spot.
"The Naval Academy, it’s a leadership laboratory," Robinson stated after being drafted. He was among the seven players designated inactive for Sunday's game, but his presence on the 53-man roster in his first week of the season was considered a significant achievement.
Robinson's decision to wear his dress uniform was not a fashion statement but a deliberate act of honor for his military service and the significance of the game day. He was part of the Navy team that won the Commander-in-Chief Trophy in March 2026 and the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in January 2026.