It may have only been two years, but for Koren Robinson, it might as well have been a lifetime ago.
Robinson, in his second season with the Packers, and his sixth overall, scored his first touchdown with the Green and Gold with 2:25 remaining in the first quarter in Sunday's win. For Robinson, it marked the first time he had scored since Dec. 11, 2005, when he rushed for a touchdown as a member of the Minnesota Vikings.
Needless to say, Robinson's meeting with paydirt was long overdue, which makes it all the more memorable.
"It feels great," Robinson said with a smile after the game. "I'm just glad to get it out of the way. Hopefully there are more opportunities to come. It's a special occasion."
For Robinson the 5-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter meant more to him than usual because of the path he's taken.
Robinson returned in October from a one-year suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy and he's been patiently biding his time as the fourth receiver and the primary kickoff returner ever since.
Despite some bumps in the road, all of Robinson's determination and hard work paid dividends Sunday when he received extensive action in the absence of starters Donald Driver and Greg Jennings.
"I think coming from where I was at, and then getting my first touchdown catch at Lambeau, first touchdown catch from Brett Favre, and first touchdown catch of the season, my first Lambeau Leap...It's just a good feeling. I'm excited and happy," he said.
The only people that may be happier than Robinson himself happen to be his teammates and Head Coach Mike McCarthy.
"I think the way everybody responded, I think it was clearly evident of the path that Koren has taken with his personal life and how happy everybody was to see him having the success he's been building each week," McCarthy said. "I was very happy for him personally. He's a gifted football player and I'm glad he's part of our program."
Fellow receiver Ruvell Martin echoed McCarthy's sentiments.
"We want to see everybody else do well," Martin explained. "It was great to see him get a touchdown finally. He's been back for quite a few games now and to see him get in the end zone, it was a good feeling."
Of course, immediately after Robinson scored, he was ready for another first: taking part in the Lambeau Leap. Although he was the first to admit it wasn't a thing of beauty.
"I didn't know if I was going to get one this year, but it finally happened," Robinson explained. "I went up in the stands forward, but I should have turned around and let everyone see me. I'm a novice at it. I have to learn how to do it.
"It just felt good to get a touchdown and celebrate a little bit, just let people know that I am happy and let them see that. It was great."
Once Robinson landed back on his feet, the first person waiting to greet him was Favre.
"I was just happy for him," Favre said. "It's been well-documented how much I've supported him and will continue to. I was glad to get him involved and he made the play.
"He's a great guy with very good character who's had some problems. My support for him has only increased with each day I've spent with him."
This type of support hasn't been lost on Robinson, either.
"I loved it," Robinson said when asked about his conversation with Favre, who handed him the touchdown ball on the sidelines. "It's something I will cherish. I won't forget it. He came over and said, 'That was our first one, and I hope there's many more.' I don't know if that's looking into the future. He made sure he did that and that's a good friend.
"It's an honor to have a friend like that because he doesn't have to do the things he does for me. He just makes sure he's there for me and I appreciate it."
Like Robinson, tight end Bubba Franks also hadn't scored for a significant amount of time coming into the game. In fact, his last touchdown reception came in Week 3 against the San Diego Chargers. Franks, who injured his knee in Week 6 vs. Washington, finally returned from the injury last week and scored with 14:12 remaining in the second quarter. The 4-yard TD pass from Favre was a relief of sorts to a player who lived for the red zone earlier in his career.
"It felt good to get back in there (the end zone)," Franks admitted. "For a second there, I had to make sure I was in. But I was standing there for a while looking at Brett, like 'Throw the ball.'
"He kept pumping. I don't know if he was looking behind me or something, but it felt good to get back in. I almost forgot the touchdown dance. I had to do it real quick."
It just goes to show that scoring touchdowns never gets old, especially when they are long overdue.
