The senior will host the Duce Robinson Charity Pickleball Classic on July 23 at The Pickle Pad (1925 N. Monroe St.), with all proceeds benefiting Special Olympics Florida. The event is scheduled for 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and will help support opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities across the state.
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Robinson said the idea for the fundraiser stems from two longtime passions, which are supporting Special Olympics athletes and competing on the pickleball court.
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)1 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)1 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)2 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)3 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)4 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)5 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)6 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)7 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)8 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)9 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)10 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)11 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)12 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)13 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)14 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)15 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)16 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)17 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)18 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)19 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)20 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)21 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)22 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)23 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)24 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)25 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)26 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)27 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)28 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)29 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)30 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)31 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)32 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)33 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)34 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)35 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)36 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)37 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)38 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)39 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)40 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)41 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)42 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)43 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)44 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)45 / 45
FSU spring football: See best photos of Ashton Daniels, Kevin Sperry
Florida State football held a spring practice on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Seminoles practice facility. (Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat)
Speaking during the ACC Football Kickoff, Robinson said his connection to the Special Olympics dates back to his high school years in Phoenix. As pickleball's popularity has grown nationwide, he saw an opportunity to combine the sport with a cause that is important to him.
"I like pickleball," Robinson said. "I feel like people like pickleball. And so I felt like pickleball was a great way to connect people."
Robinson said the sport's fast-paced and competitive nature made it an ideal vehicle for raising money and engaging the community.
"I'm not a golf guy. I'm a pickleball guy, and I feel like pickleball is a little bit more entertaining," Robinson said. "You're able to play against people, constant competition. I felt like that would be something people would be willing to donate a little bit of money to. I just want to give all that money away to the Special Olympics, and so hopefully it'll be a fun event. Hopefully a lot of people will show up."
FSU football's Duce Robinson walks into the first practice of preseason camp on Wednesday, July 30, 2025
In addition to his work with Special Olympics Florida, Robinson represented FSU during FSU Day at the Capitol and served as a panelist for Horizons Unlimited, speaking to first-generation students during a discussion titled "Success Through Adversity: Strategies Through Athletics."
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He also participated in Literacy Week at Astoria Park Elementary School, partnered with the Keep Climbing Family Foundation for a winter coat drive and joined former Seminole offensive lineman Micah Pettus and Legends Hospitality in distributing Thanksgiving turkeys to local families.
Robinson was recognized with the Bill McGrotha Award following the 2025 season for his humanitarian efforts.
The senior receiver joins a distinguished list of Florida State players nominated for the Good Works Team, including former teammates Richie Leonard IV, Dillan Gibbons, Camren McDonald, Mavin Saunders, Alec Eberle, Christian Ponder, Sam Cowart, Wayne Messam and Corey Fuller.
Jul 15, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide reciever Duce Robinson speaks to the media during ACC Media Days at Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Robinson enters his senior season coming off a breakout 2025 campaign in which he recorded 1,089 receiving yards and six touchdowns, earning first-team All-ACC and third-team All-America honors.
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Expected to be one of the Seminoles' primary leaders in 2026, Robinson is poised to play a key role both on and off the field.
Before he turns his attention to Florida State's season opener against New Mexico State on Aug. 29 at Doak Campbell Stadium, Robinson hopes the pickleball fundraiser will make a meaningful impact for athletes throughout Special Olympics Florida — proving that his influence extends far beyond the football field.
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics and Big Bend Preps for the Tallahassee Democrat. If you like to pitch a story on a high school athlete, don't hesitate to get in touch with him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
