Duke cornerback Kimari Robinson has apologized after a widely shared video showed him swatting away a female athletic trainer’s arm as she tried to reach an injured teammate.
The exchange occurred during the Blue Devils’ October 17 game against North Carolina at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham.
Robinson, 21, is a redshirt junior from Miramar, Florida, and a member of Duke’s starting defense. According to Duke, he appeared in two games in 2023, earned his first start at Miami in 2024 and started nine of his 11 appearances in 2025.
His public response appeared on X on Sunday night, October 18, according to ABC11.
Robinson Says He Apologized to the Trainer Immediately After the Game
— Kimari Robinson (@krobinson7__) October 19, 2026
“I was completely wrong, and she did not deserve that,” Robinson wrote.
He said he approached the staff member immediately after the game, apologized personally and checked whether she was okay.
Robinson described safety DaShawn Stone as family and said he had been frightened that his teammate was seriously hurt. He acknowledged that his concern did not excuse how he treated the trainer.
He wrote that he should have controlled his emotions and expressed regret for letting down the woman, himself and the football program.
The two defensive backs have spent four years together on Duke’s roster, Yahoo Sports reported.
A Stretcher Was Brought Out for DaShawn Stone
Stone was lying on his back midway through the third quarter, with two members of the training staff attending to him. Robinson stood nearby when a third staff member approached and attempted to move him aside.
Robinson remained beside his teammate until head coach Manny Diaz and defensive coordinator Jonathan Patke came onto the field, according to WRAL.
Duke’s sideline emptied during the stoppage, beat reporter Conor O’Neill reported. A stretcher was brought out, but Stone eventually walked to the locker room under his own power.
Robert Griffin III and Kevin Kelley Criticize the Exchange
As a man, this just can’t happen.
No excuses for it. https://t.co/7yoOUxxaf1— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 18, 2026
Griffin, a former NFL quarterback and current FOX Sports analyst, was among the football figures who publicly objected to Robinson’s behavior.
Coach Kevin Kelley tagged Duke’s football account while sharing the footage.
“He needs to listen to her and know where he should be,” Kelley wrote in a post quoted by PEOPLE.
TMZ reported that some viewers wanted Robinson suspended or removed from the team.
Others pushed back against demands to end his college career, arguing that the brief encounter should not determine his future in football.
Duke Faces a Short Week Before Its Next Game
Duke had not announced disciplinary action as of Monday morning, the New York Post reported. WRAL said Diaz was expected to meet reporters Monday.
The Blue Devils lost Saturday’s game 24-20, leaving them 4-2 overall and 1-2 in ACC play. The defeat also ended Duke’s eight-game winning streak against opponents from North Carolina.
The Tar Heels reclaimed the lead on Jaylen McGill’s 24-yard touchdown run with 1:53 remaining. Kenton Dopson III then intercepted Duke quarterback Walker Eget at North Carolina’s 15-yard line, leaving 14 seconds on the clock.
Duke’s next scheduled game is Friday, October 23, at Virginia in Charlottesville. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Eastern.