Dunta Robinson Kinda Apologizes for 'Pay Me Rick' Shoes

Out of the 14 NFL players that were franchised in 2009, Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson was the only one who chose not to sign a long term deal or sign his franchise tender in time to make camp. Reportedly, he turned down $23 million dollars in guaranteed money last February, which would have put him in the top three of NFL corners in guaranteed dollars. He sat out all of camp and preseason, then signed his tender a week before the first game, just in time to get his first paycheck -- $585,705 of the almost $10 million he will receive for 2009.

Fans were displeased to learn that during the Texans ugly loss to the Jets in the home opener, Robinson was wearing shoes that read, "Pay me Rick." The "Rick" in question is Houston general manager Rick Smith.

As a result, the Texans have fined Robinson $25,000 for conduct detrimental to the team.

"I got here today, and it was in my locker," Robinson said about the official letter notifying him of the fine. "I knew it was coming. I talked to Rick (on Monday), and he said he was going to fine me, so there's nothing to be surprised about.

"It was over a long time ago. I've moved on. Me and Rick don't have a problem. I'm focused on Tennessee (this Sunday)."

Smith didn't like the message Robinson was sending.

"When he reported to sign his contract, I explained to him how important it was that he not let his contract status become a distraction," Smith said. "He assured me he would do that.

"That's not the message we want to send. I explained that to him Monday. I let him know that clearly he didn't get the message when we talked the week before, and we were not pleased with it, and we were going to fine him and that we expected that his behavior be more reflective of our team philosophy and what we believe in."

When asked about the shoes after the game, Robinson laughed and said it was to remind him of why he was playing: "to get paid." Fans weren't terribly amused with this act. He admittedly struggled in his first game due to his lack of preparation, and is already getting paid more bank than most people will see in a lifetime.

The inevitable fan-media hubbub ensued, and Robinson eventually made the common modern non-apology, apologizing to "people (he) offended." He explains that the shoes were a joke from months ago, and wearing them last Sunday was a locker room gag. He believes that had the Texans won, fans would have thought they were funny:

Out of touch much? Personally, I think it demonstrates incredibly poor judgment to see any athlete crying about being paid when they turned down enormous guaranteed money, and are still receiving gigantic guaranteed money. I guess he doesn't remember what it is like to struggle to pay bills. The video shows he doesn't get it.

When asked about the shoes, Gary Kubiak said in his press conference that he didn't see them but that he was disappointed, that the matter is being handled in-house and that they need to move on and prepare for getting destroyed playing by the Titans next week on the road.