CNN
—
Just 46 days after being shot, Brian Robinson Jr. scored his first NFL touchdown as he helped the Washington Commanders beat the Chicago Bears 12-7.
The rookie running back ran in a one-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to score what was to be the deciding score as the Commanders snapped a four-game losing streak.
In August, Robinson Jr. suffered two gunshot wounds to his lower limbs and was taken to a local hospital in what police said at the time may have been an attempted robbery or carjacking.
After a remarkable comeback story, the 23-year-old made his debut in the Commanders’ 21-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans last week.
But Thursday night against the Bears, Robinson Jr. started for Washington, finishing with 60 rushing yards on 17 attempts and the all-important score to help his team to a vital win.
After the win, Robinson Jr. credited his teammates, coaching staff and family for giving him the motivation to keep working for a comeback.
” It was hard. I just had to keep my head up and focus on what I really wanted in my life,” he said.
“I want to be a football player, I wanted to get back on the football pitch, so I did everything I had to do, in terms of strength, mentality to get back on the pitch.
“And I’m so grateful to this coaching staff and everyone (in the locker room) for just helping me out, pushing me every day, giving me the extra motivation on the days that I didn’t have it. not, to just keep me grounded to get here with my team.
He added: “I want to say to my mother thank you, I love you. Without you I would not be here today.
The 98th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft was back at commanders’ facilities just two days after the shooting as he began his recovery in earnest.
And it paid off as he was placed in the team’s starting running back role by head coach Ron Rivera, with his storyline being the main takeaway from what was another football game. of Thursday evening without interest.
A week after the Indianapolis Colts’ 12-9 overtime win over the Denver Broncos, it was again a slow affair between the Commanders and Bears, with both defenses on top.
The Commanders defense has fired Bears quarterback Justin Fields five times — hitting him 12 times in total — while Washington quarterback Carson Wentz has been sacked three times.
The Bears’ return attempt failed at the one-yard line as Darnell Mooney’s catch was judged just before a touchdown on fourth-and-go.
Fields threw for a touchdown as well as an interception, also running for 88 yards, although he said late in the game that he again aggravated a left shoulder injury in the loss, adding that he “was in enough pain”. ”
The loss improves the Commanders’ record to 2-4, while the Bears slip to the same record.
