NATCHITOCHES -- "When you put the ball in the air, it's always going to come down. What do you do when it does come down?"
 
That message was one of several inquisitive points that Rob Robertson offered a packed Russell Hall crowd of Northwestern State students Thursday as part of the 51^st Annual J. Walter Porter Forum put on by the College of Business and Technology.
 
Robertson, who is remaining in town to be honored as part of the 20^th anniversary of NSU's 1997 Southland Conference football championship this weekend, faced that question when his three-year NFL career abruptly ended because of injury.
 
The Baton Rouge native recounted his tale of an unexpected professional football career with the Baltimore Ravens, an even more unexpected ending, and what came after.
 
He returned to NSU and completed his degree. Then Robertson climbed the ranks of the mortgage and banking world and is now a senior vice president and regional manager with Wells Fargo.
 
His non-football journey started with a call to NSU's Dr. Margaret Kilcoyne, one of several "angels" that Robertson says God lined up in his path.
 
"I had 12 hours left to graduate, and I called (Kilcoyne) and told her that I had been cut, basically fired," Robertson told the audience. "I had planned to play 10-15 years in the NFL, but that didn't happen.
 
"I needed to come back and get my degree, and I couldn't have done it without the help of Dr. Kilcoyne. Driving the 22 hours from Baltimore back to Louisiana, I told myself that I'd never be fired from something I'm passionate about ever again."
 
Robertson took nine hours that summer and a special topics course in the fall to finish his business degree.
 
"It was the best thing that could have happened to me," Robertson said. "When I look at my life and I see some of the guys who played years and years … some of those guys are completely broke.
 
"The NFL gave me a start, but I was forced to do something else. Just have a belief in yourselves. I know that everybody has somebody in their lives that believes in them. Tell them thank you, because having that support makes all the difference."
 
Growing up in Baton Rouge, Robertson faced his first major obstacle at age 9 with the unexpected death of his mother.
 
His grandmother Albertha Watson took him in, telling him that "I was going to be somebody."
 
"People ask me who is my role model, and it's not Ray Lewis or guys in the NFL before me -- it's my grandmother," said Robertson, who pointed out his dad was an alcoholic. "She is the reason for who I am today. She pushed me and molded me.
 
"When I didn't want to get up in the morning (in college), she'd call me and tell me, 'Boy you better get to class.'"
 
Coming out of Istrouma High School in Baton Rouge, Robertson was set to play at Grambling before then-NSU football coach Sam Goodwin called and asked Robertson's high school coach if he'd signed yet.
 
"(Goodwin) wanted me to take an unofficial visit, and I walked into Turpin Stadium and knew that's where I wanted to be," Robertson said. "When I came back here (Wednesday night) and drove down that hill, I was thinking that this is the place that matured me.
 
"This place is what allowed me to get to the NFL. This place gave me a start in life. Invest in yourself and believe in your university."
 
Robertson, a bruising fullback who was voted an honorary captain on NSU's All-Century Team, didn't think about the NFL until his junior season when Kansas City Chiefs scout Chuck Cook noticed him in a practice.
 
"He said, 'Son, we've been watching you. You had a great practice, keep doing what you're doing," Robertson recalled. "That's all I needed was for somebody to plant that seed.
 
"I wasn't thinking about the NFL, but after that, I thought I could do it and worked harder. I made all-conference and helped bring a conference championship to NSU."
 
NSU clinched the title with six straight wins, and fans tore down the goalposts after a 38-24 win over nationally ranked Stephen F. Austin on the Demons' way to the Division I-AA playoffs.
 
Several months later, Robertson is sitting on his couch watching the NFL Draft, watching others' names flash across the screen and not his.
 
"There I was, sitting on the sofa in disbelief, didn't have a degree, and I wasn't drafted," Robertson said. "My grandmother came by and put her hand on my shoulder and said, 'Baby, it's going to be OK.'
 
"Five minutes later, my phone rang, and the Baltimore Ravens asked me to be a free agent."
 
One of Robertson's NFL highlights was going against star linebacker Ray Lewis in practice, confrontations that helped him earn his spot as an undrafted free agent.
 
Three years later, his pro football career suddenly over, Robertson knew what his next move had to be, and called Kilcoyne at NSU.
 
"I remember the call when he told me he had been fired," Kilcoyne said. "We talked about how important it was for him to finish his degree, and we talked about a plan.
 
"We have a wonderful relationship, and he's a great example of taking those lemons that life gives you and making lemonade. He has such a positive attitude, and I like to share his story, particularly with other student-athletes."
 
After obtaining his degree, Robertson spent 10 years at GMFS Lending in Baton Rouge and then Atlanta, climbing to vice president.
 
He's spent the past seven years with Wells Fargo, first in Florida and then in the Baltimore-Washington D.C. area, changing his dream from gridiron glory to home ownership for families.
 
"That fundamental American dream of home ownership means a lot to me and is what drives me," Robertson said. "When you believe in yourself, have others that believe in you and have a purpose, it all works out the way it's supposed to.
 
"Everybody needs to have a plan and a desire to outwork the competition. Greatness lies in everyone."