No sweat for ‘Bino’

NEWPORT BEACH — Done with his first national TV interview with the NFL Network, Ramzee Robinson appeared cool, no sweat to disrupt the makeup.

That changed when Robinson, from a distance, saw his next seat, the one towering over hundreds at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina.

The white chair stood out as did the cool weather to this Huntsville, Ala. native. The chair was suited more for a lifeguard than the last player chosen in the 2007 NFL draft.

Robinson, known as Mr. Irrelevant XXXII for being the 255th pick by the Detroit Lions, looked more terrified than thrilled about climbing to his seat.

“I’ll be nervous when I get on that chair over there,” said Robinson before a 2007 black Ford Mustang escorted him to his seat. “I’m scared of heights, dude!”

The fear faded away for Robinson, who admits he can’t swim. He knew he wouldn’t have to rescue anyone during the first day of Irrelevant Week.

Getting showered with more than 200 gifts also helped Robinson get through Monday night.

“It’s going to be Christmas [early],” he said. “I’m going to be Santa Claus when I get back home and put on the suit and everything.”

Mr. Irrelevant will be relevant to his family come Christmas. Anything you can imagine, Robinson received for being the underdog in the NFL Draft.

Paul Salata, a community philanthropist was the MC, his daughter and the head of Irrelevant Week, Melanie Salata-Fitch, instructed Los Alamitos High’s song girls to the stage every time to showcase Robinson’s latest gift.

Mr. Irrelevant smiled. It grew each time when he got his hands on items such as a Nintendo Wii, table runner, poncho, calculator, poncho, an iPod, t-shirts, cigars, tequila, jackets, beer, will and testament, and the best items: NFL jerseys and a golden retriever.

Salata said the jerseys were just in case if Robinson didn’t make it with the Lions, he could go practice with another team. As for the dog, Robinson said he’s not buying that it’s his to keep.

“I don’t think that’s my dog, man,” said Robinson before being notified that the dog is his. “That’s a heavy responsibility. I’ve got a 5-year-old son already. I don’t know if I can [handle] more.”

At 23, Robinson said he’s just trying to make it in the NFL as a defensive back from the University of Alabama. So far the 5-foot-10, 196-pounder said the kind of treatment he has been receiving has been like’s he already made it.

Before starting his Monday, he phoned his uncle Majin Childress in Huntsville to tell him about his swanky hotel, where everyone has been greeting Mr. Irrelevant by his name, opening his doors, making him feel at home.

Childress, a 32-year-old landscaper who had never flown, will fly in sometime today, when Robinson is hanging out at Disneyland with Mickey Mouse.

“I was like, ‘Man we great free breakfast,’” Robinson told Childress. “He’s like, ‘Free breakfast, for real?’ Stuff like that just throws him over the edge.”

The lifeguard chair almost did that to Robinson after he got down to chat with fans, sign autographs, and interview with the media.

There was even a sports reporter from Detroit present to cover Robinson. Nicholas J. Cotsonika, who covers the Lions for the Detroit Free-Press, pitched the story idea to his editors and they bought it.

“Frankly we write so many negative Lions stories, and unhappy stories, and it seemed like a pretty fun thing to do,” said Cotsonika, who plans to leave Thursday, a couple days before Robinson leaves Newport Beach. “Got out of the gloom and got into the sun a little bit. I would love to see a guy who can’t swim in the surfing lessons and the beer can regatta.”

First Robinson has to make sure he can climb down the lifeguard chair without hurting himself.

”They got to get that fixed, posted to the floor. It’s dangerous,” Robinson said. “You didn’t notice how slow I was going up and how slow I was coming down.”

DAVID CARRILLO PEÑALOZA may be reached at (714) 966-4612 or at [email protected].

SCHEDULE

TODAY

Guest of the Disneyland Resort Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters will entertain Mr. Irrelevant.

Mr. Irrelevant will be part of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim grounds crew during the 7:05 p.m. game against the Houston Astros.

WEDNESDAY

VIP lunch with First American Title Executive Board Room

Mr. Irrelevant will meet top chairmen Don and Parker Kennedy.

All-Star Lowsman Sports Banquet at Newport Beach Marriott Resort

Celebrities will toast and roast Mr. Irrelevant before he receives the coveted Lowsman Trophy. The award is Irrelevant Week’s answer to the coveted Heisman Trophy.

THURSDAY

Which way to the Beach?

Mr. Irrelevant will receive a sampling of what Newport Beach has to offer. Surf lessons to biking the boardwalk to sand volleyball to riding the yacht Amante in the Beer Can Regatta out of the Balboa Yacht Club.

FRIDAY

Ultimate Tailgate Party/Miss Irrelevant Contest at Rudy’s Pub on the Balboa Peninsula

To wrap up the week, the frivolity planned for these closing ceremonies includes teams competing for Best Tailgaters. Local restaurants and, among others, the University of Alabama Alumni will be challenging each other to present the perfect Detroit Lions tailgate food, which is a Coney dog with mustard, chili and onions.

Ramzee, along with other irrelevant judges, will select Miss Irrelevant, who will receive prizes in addition to her obligatory flowers, crown and sash.

SATURDAY

Leave for Rookie Orientation

Mr. Irrelevant will be escorted to John Wayne Airport for a farewell before he boards his flight to rookie orientation in West Palm Beach, Fla.