SportsLine wire reports

MIAMI -- Eugene Robinson is one of the NFL's most respected players.

His bubbly, infectious leadership was a major reason the Atlanta Falcons reached their first Super Bowl. His strong religious beliefs, usually espoused in sermon-like fashion, seemed to make him a role model in this era of misbehaving athletes.

But Saturday night, less than 24 hours before the Super Bowl, the Pro Bowl safety was arrested on a downtown Miami street, charged with soliciting an undercover police officer for oral sex.

"I don't believe it ... anybody but Eugene," linebacker Henri Crockett said Sunday in the lobby of his team's hotel. "I know what kind of person he is. There has to be something more to it."

Falcons coach Dan Reeves cleared Robinson to play Sunday night against the Denver Broncos, the first NFL championship game in Atlanta's 33-year history.

"I LOVE EUGENE UNCONDITIONALLY," said Reeves, speaking poolside during a pregame television show. "As far as I'm concerned, and as far as the league is concerned, he can play. He'll have to make that decision later in the day."

Robinson's father, Samuel, said he expected the defensive back to play.

"I think he needs to," the father said in the hotel lobby. ``I think he needs to get out there and do his job. There's a lesson here somewhere."

Police said Robinson was arrested at 9 p.m. on Biscayne Boulevard, a major street frequented by prostitutes and drug dealers. He was driving alone in a rented car.

Eugene Robinson and his wife, Gia, relax by the pool hours before the Falcons' safety was arrested. (AP)

"While conducting an undercover prostitution sting, defendant drove up ... and offered the officer $40 for (oral sex)," the police report said.

The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum sentence of 60 days in jail, but most first-time offenders are offered some combination of community service, attending a course on the dangers of solicitation and a fine, said police spokesman Angel Calzadilla. The car was impounded and will cost $1,000 to retrieve.

The undercover operation resulted in 25 arrests, including a suspect wanted for three murders in Pennsylvania, Calzadilla said.

ON SATURDAY MORNING, ROBINSON WAS HONORED with the Bart Starr Award by the religious group Athletes in Action. Balloting is conducted among NFL players to select the person who displays "high moral character."

"Unfortunately, even as Christians, we do things wrong," Reeves said. "We're all sinners."

Later Saturday, Robinson lounged by the hotel pool with his wife, Gia, and their 9-year-old son, Brandon. The couple also has an 11-year-old daughter, Brittany.

Also attending the game were Robinson's mother and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

"The children asked questions. They have feelings," Samuel Robinson said. "My son talked to both kids, and that's a good deal."

Samuel Robinson said he was "very concerned" for his daughter-in-law.

"She's doing better today," he said. ``She had to compose herself.''

Defensive tackle Shane Dronett said the Falcons remained intent on concentrating on the game.

"WE'RE NOT GOING TO LET IT DISTRACT US," he said. ``We'll stand beside Eugene. Until he says something we're not worried about it."

Dronett added, "I'm sure he's innocent. He was probably in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Robinson was released from Miami police headquarters around 11 p.m. to Falcons general manager Harold Richardson. The player promised to return for a court appearance, which is usually scheduled within 30 days.

After being released, Robinson was consoled in his hotel room by several teammates, including linebacker Cornelius Bennett and Ray Buchanan, according to Samuel Robinson, who also was in the room.

"He didn't say anything about what happened, and I didn't ask him," the father said. "But you could see he was crushed. I've never seen my son with that look of concern and disappointment in his entire life."

Bennett spent more than a month in jail during the last offseason after pleading guilty to sexual misconduct.

"Bennett has been there before," Samuel Robinson said. ``I'm glad he was there to support Eugene. He let him know, `We're here for you as a team."'

Robinson, who played in the last two Super Bowls with Green Bay, is the NFL's career leader among active players with 53 interceptions, including four this season.

HE SIGNED WITH THE FALCONS as a free agent and became the unquestioned leader of the secondary, earning Pro Bowl honors and bringing a winning attitude to a franchise that was used to losing. All week, he wore his 1997 Super Bowl ring to inspire his teammates.

The arrest is yet one more difficult side issue this season for the Falcons, following Reeves' heart bypass surgery in December.

"You can't put Eugene Robinson aside, but we've got to do the best we can," Reeves said. "We've done a good job dealing with distractions this year."