He was arguably one the most explosive and electrifying athletes to ever wear the winged helmet. On the ground, he was a blur. The smallest window of opportunity turned into the opposing defense's biggest mistake. With his shoelaces flapping in the wind and a smile that could single-handedly create the wattage necessary for Under the Lights III, Denard Robinson called Ann Arbor home and loved every second of it.
Ann Arbor and its faithful loved him back
Now, as a running back in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Robinson would not change a single moment during his time at Michigan, not even a position change.
"Let me tell you this, I would never regret anything in my life," said Robinson in a recent interview with Maize n Brew. "Everything that happened in my life, I'm proud of it. (Michigan) was special to me."
What was special about 'Shoelace' was the impact that he left on the program. He single-handedly rearranged the Michigan record books with his arm and blazing feet. One's place in the record books speaks volumes about the type of player he is. A great player, and arguably one of the best.
But don't tell Denard that.
"It's an honor, but it's something I never really focused on. It's something I have to relish when I'm older and done playing football," said Robinson. "As far as the record books, I don't really pay attention to those. I don't look at the numbers, I just go out there and play."
"I'm trying to set my own goals and break them. Once I retire, it'll be something I talk about with my grandkids or something."
When thinking about defining moments, Robinson was fortunate enough to have a whole laundry list of achievements he can hang his hat on when all is said and done. From destroying Notre Dame year after year with his combined yards, to finally snapping the streak against Ohio State where he played the most flawless four quarters of football fans have ever seen and even winning a BCS bowl in 2011.
However, for Robinson, there are too many moments that defined him as a Wolverine.
"Oh, man. I can't really name one," Robinson added. "It was all good for me."
For the fans, it was good for them too.