Eddie Robinson Jr., son of legendary coach, dies at 70

Nov 7, 2013 - 11:50 AM Dallas, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Eddie Robinson Jr., the son of legendary Grambling State University football coach Eddie Robinson, died Wednesday night at Baylor University Medical Center following a prolonged illness.

Robinson Jr. was 70. He had undergone heart surgery recently.

"Eddie cared for his family unfailingly and without complaint and continued to contribute his time and skills to the Grambling State University football program through last season," Robinson's family said in a statement. "It was, perhaps, Eddie's passion for sports and the youth that define him best. Each year, he looked forward to hosting summer football camps in honor of his father and enlisting colleagues and friends to impart fundamentals of the sport and life lessons on camp participants."

Often called "Coach Jr.," the younger Robinson was a player and later an assistant coach for 16 years in the Grambling program built by his late father, the all-time wins leader in Division I football. Robinson Sr. died in 2007.

"It was with deep sorrow that I received word of Eddie Jr.'s passing this evening," Grambling State president Frank G. Pogue said in a statement. "It was only a few days ago that he was home, we talked, and he was making visits again. We ask that everyone support the Robinson family in their time of grief."

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.