The Salpointe community gathered in the Kalil Family Gymnasium on Friday, September 4, to welcome home one of its most accomplished student-athletes. Bijan Robinson ‘20, now a standout running back for the Atlanta Falcons, returned to the place where his football journey began as Salpointe officially retired his #5 Salpointe football jersey and inducted him into the Salpointe Sports Hall of Fame.
For Robinson, the ceremony marked a special homecoming and a celebration of the people and community that helped shape him during his years as a Lancer.
During his Salpointe career, Robinson established himself as one of the most dominant high school football players in Arizona history. He finished his career with a state-record 114 touchdowns and 7,036 rushing yards, the second-most in Arizona high school football history, while averaging an impressive 13.4 yards per carry.
His accomplishments on the field were extraordinary, but his impact at Salpointe extended well beyond statistics. His work ethic, leadership, character, strong faith, and commitment to excellence made him a role model for the Lancer community.
“It is an honor to retire Bijan’s #5 jersey,” said Phil Gruensfelder, Salpointe Athletic Director. “The Salpointe #5 football jersey not only celebrates Bijan’s accomplishments on the field during his high school career here, but also the man who wore it. His approach to the game, the way he treats people, his character, his strong faith, and his commitment to being the best individual possible are benchmarks for all Lancers to follow.”
After graduating from Salpointe in 2020, Robinson continued his football career at the University of Texas, where he quickly became one of the nation’s premier running backs. In 2022, he earned the prestigious Doak Walker Award, recognizing him as the nation’s top running back, and was named a unanimous first-team All-American. Robinson’s journey continued when the Atlanta Falcons selected him eighth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. He made an immediate impact at the professional level and earned Pro Bowl selections in 2024 and 2025, solidifying his place among the NFL’s elite young running backs.
Yet even as his career has taken him from Salpointe to Austin and now to the NFL, Robinson’s connection to his alma mater remains strong.
His return to campus offered current Lancers an opportunity to celebrate someone who once walked the same halls, wore the same maroon and gold, and dreamed about what might come next. For current Salpointe students, seeing Robinson’s jersey officially retired served as a reminder that the Lancer experience can be the beginning of an extraordinary journey.
Retiring Robinson’s jersey and welcoming him into the Salpointe Sports Hall of Fame creates a lasting place for his accomplishments in Lancer history. His #5 will now represent not only the records he set and the games he helped win, but also the character, faith, perseverance, and dedication that continue to define his legacy.
Welcome home, Bijan. Once a Lancer, Always a Lancer!