Pitt wide receiver Tyreek Robinson landed in head coach Pat Narduzzi's office after catching a five- to six-pound bass from the Monongahela River. Robinson shared a photo of his catch with the Panthers' receivers group chat, which reached the coaching staff.
When confronted, Narduzzi told Robinson: "What are you doing, man?" The coach expressed concern about the fish's quality and suggested Robinson buy fish from a market near campus instead.
Coaches warned Robinson not to fish in the river, citing pollution and contamination concerns. The Monongahela River, which flows past Pitt's South Side practice complex at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, has a documented history of pollution.
Robinson, a redshirt sophomore from Shreveport, Louisiana, grew up fishing. His father taught him at age six in a pond near Shreveport. Robinson and his father share a July 18 birthday and have celebrated with fishing trips to Mississippi and Texas. During his 14th birthday trip, Robinson caught a personal-best 12-pound redfish.
Robinson said he is "mostly fishing" when not at the football facility. This summer, he went fishing with several Pitt defensive backs.
Fortunately for Narduzzi's peace of mind, Robinson never ate the bass. He had recently moved out of the dorms and eventually discarded the catch.
Narduzzi discussed the incident Monday with reporters, saying Robinson's fishing habit gives him "chest pains." The coach told reporters: "Eating fish out of the river, that's not a good thing." Narduzzi also said Robinson "drives me nuts" with "little things" like this and that Robinson "does some stuff Louisiana-style."
Despite the river fishing incident, Narduzzi has praised Robinson's development. The coach said Robinson is "starting to turn the corner" and described him as "really good." Robinson saw limited action in his first season and did not play last year.
