Robert Perryman: Where in the World Is the Former Patriot?

Background

• Was a Michigan running back 1982-1986.
• During his senior year, he finished second on the team in rushing yards and was not tackled for a loss the entire year. The Wolverines went 11-2 and won the Big Ten that year.
• Drafted No. 79 by the Patriots in the third-round in 1987.
• Played six years in the NFL: four with the New England Patriots and two with the Denver Broncos.
• Family: Robert and his wife Sonya have two children Krista and Robert Jr. (a freshman who plays football at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.).

What Is He Doing Now?

Perryman is a probation officer in Gloucester, MA and officiates high school games. He is also working as an assistant coach with the Boston Militia of the Independent Women’s Football League. Former Patriots cornerback Derrick Beasley, Perryman's brother-in-law, is the head coach.

On His NFL Eye Opening Moment

“I remember it was a game against the Giants,” said the former New England Patriots running back, “and we were in the tunnel before the game. I knew their guys—Harry Carson’s No. 53, Carl Banks' 54, Pepper Johnson's 52—all that stuff, and then I saw all of them in the tunnel. I said to myself ‘Wow these guys are huge. I have to go block these guys?’ And I’m usually not fazed by anything."

Any Injuries in the NFL?

“I tore both my knees up out there," Perryman said.

On Why He Chose Michigan?

“I thought I was going to Penn State,” said Perryman, who had narrowed his choices to Michigan, Penn State, Notre Dame, Syracuse, and Miami. “Penn State and Syracuse seemed to be the most interested. Joe Paterno came to visit and that’s where I thought I’d end up. When I went to visit Michigan, I just fell in love with it."

Other Jobs outside the NFL?

“I worked in marketing for Staples and I worked for the United Way,” said Perryman, “but I was doing so much traveling. I was home more when I was playing football."