Robert Golden Is Living The Life He Envisioned After Football.
“It was Robert Golden who actually got knocked down who had to get up and eventually recover it.”
Those were the words of NBC’s Cris Collinsworth on Sunday Night Football in 2014 when Robert Golden recovered a fumbled punt in the end zone to seal an early season win for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they faced the Carolina Panthers. That play, which was significant for the Steelers at that time as they eventually finished first in the AFC North, also turned out to be the type of play that embodies Golden’s mantra in life. Because for Golden, it’s all about finding a way to get the job done even after getting knocked down.
This is the type of wisdom Golden is now sharing with young people as he continues to make a difference in his community after leaving the NFL. It’s about “sharing my experience” the Fresno native says as he talks about the lessons he is now passing down to kids.
Throughout the year, Golden shares his experience with the students at his Golden Charter Academy, the school he opened in southwest Fresno in 2021. But there’s also another platform that serves as a major opportunity for Golden to connect with young people. That pivotal platform is the Best Of The West Army All-Star Game, an annual event that brings together some of the top high school football stars in California.
Golden has coached at this increasingly popular event for the past four years. And it’s clear that he takes pride in the fact that he is undefeated (he doesn’t let anybody forget it). But more importantly, the Edison High grad takes pride in using this opportunity to “share his experience.”
“It’s a great opportunity to be able to come back and share my experiences, but also help their experiences be better,” the seven-year NFL veteran said after his Central Valley team defeated the Los Angeles All-Stars in the latest edition of the event. “It was an honor to be out here and coach these guys from the Central Valley for the fourth year in a row for sure.”
Although the heavy rain tried to spoil Saturday’s festivities, the game proceeded without a hitch. Just like the rainbow that graced the Central Valley sky after the rain settled, the two teams put on a vibrant show for the fans at Buchanan High School.
Los Angeles, led by head coach Anthony Atkins, put together a strong comeback effort in the fourth quarter. But in the end, it was the Central Valley who came up with big defensive plays to preserve a 21-14 victory.
Golden joined Clovis Veterans Memorial District CEO Lorenzo Rios after the win and led the celebration with the rest of the team as they lifted the all-star game trophy yet again.
“This is bigger than football,” Golden told his team in the midst of their celebration.
Because the real victory for Golden, per usual, is in inspiring the youth.
“It’s all about uplifting the next generation, giving them opportunities and exposure,” he said. “Excited to provide those opportunities, but more is coming. That’s for sure.”
It has now been eight years since Golden last played in the NFL. But it’s easy to see that he still wakes up with the same type of fire he had during his playing days.
“When you’re playing football, you gotta know resiliency, you gotta have grit, you gotta have determination, you gotta be golden. But that don’t just go on the field,” Golden said. “That goes for off the field as well too. So if you can apply the lessons you learned in football to life, you’ll be a good human being. That’s for sure.”