Isiah Robertson joined the Los Angeles Rams as the 10th overall pick out of Southern in 1971 and made an immediate impact. He stepped in as the starting strongside linebacker and won Defensive Rookie of the Year after intercepting four passes. He also earned a Pro Bowl selection and Second-Team All-Pro honors that season. Robertson was a fast, athletic linebacker who could cover tight ends and running backs while also rushing the passer and stopping the run.

He built on that start with a strong run through the mid-1970s. From 1973 to 1977, he earned Pro Bowl honors every year and was named All-Pro each season, including two First-Team selections. Robertson intercepted three passes in 1973 and returned one for a touchdown, then matched his career high with four interceptions in both 1975 and 1976. One of those 1975 picks went 76 yards for a score. He was a consistent presence on a Rams defense that helped the team win multiple division titles and reach NFC Championship games.

Robertson’s combination of speed and instincts kept him around the ball. He also contributed in the playoffs, including an interception in a postseason game against Washington. The Rams were one of the better teams in the NFC during his time, and his play at outside linebacker was a regular part of that success. He stayed productive into the late 1970s even as his role adjusted slightly under a new coaching staff.

After the 1978 season, the Rams traded him to the Buffalo Bills. With Los Angeles, he played eight seasons and recorded 18 interceptions along with solid contributions against the run and as a pass rusher. Those numbers, plus the six Pro Bowls and multiple All-Pro nods, ranked among the best by any linebacker in franchise history at the time.

Robertson finished his career in Buffalo and later received recognition in various halls of fame for his college and professional work. With the Rams, he was one of the most productive and decorated linebackers of the 1970s, delivering from the moment he arrived and staying at a high level for most of his time in Los Angeles.