Aztecs Scene & Heard: How many great-grandfathers in attendance? Bert Emanuel Jr. knows of at least one

Bert Robinson Sr. remembers trying football.

It was 1941 and Robinson was a 15-year-old at R.T. Coles Vocational High School in Kansas City, Mo. He stood 5-foot-7 and 140 pounds.

“I had a friend,” Robinson said. “He was fullback and I was halfback. At practice one time, they put him on defense. I came through the line and he lit me up.

“I said, ‘Hey, I thought you were my friend.’ He said, ‘My coach told me to hit you.’ I went up in the air and when I came down, boy, I’ll tell you.”

Robinson didn’t elaborate on the extent of what happened when he touched the ground. What he did say is that baseball, basketball and bowling suddenly seemed like better pursuits.

Not that Robinson, 99, isn’t fond of football. In fact, he was at Snapdragon Stadium on Friday evening to watch his great-grandson, SDSU backup quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr., take on Colorado State in San Diego State’s  Mountain West opener.

Robinson arrived early to see Emanuel and his teammates and coaches as they stepped off buses adjacent to the River Park Block Party for the Warrior Walk into the stadium.

Later, he and Emanuel were able to have a moment together during pregame warmups.

“He’s always been there for me, been supportive,” Emanuel said after a recent practice. “Especially now. He’s getting a little older. He’s getting up there, for sure. .. I’m definitely glad he’s able to come out.”

Asked what he talks about with his great-grandfather when they’re together, Emanuel said: “Just life.”

“How do you stay that healthy at that age and how do you be happy?” Emanuel said. “That’s one thing I want to be, I want to be able to look back and be happy with what I did, be happy with my life.

“He said take everything with a grain of salt and celebrate the small things. Don’t put too much into stuff when it’s not that big of a deal. Just know that God has a plan for you and everything is going to work out in the end.”

What stands out to Robinson about his great-grandson?

“I can’t believe he’s gotten so big,” Robinson said of the 6-foot-3, 230-pound Emanuel, who transferred from Central Michigan to SDSU over the winter. “He can run and, to me, he’s a great ballplayer. Naturally, I’m going to say that because he’s my great-grandson. I’m just proud he’s there, getting an education.”

As far as staying healthy, Robinson said he doesn’t take vitamins.

“Never have,” he said. You know what, I’m only taking one pill. You know what that is? It’s a thyroid pill. Take it every day. I’m blessed.

“I never really drank alcohol. I’ve tasted. … I wouldn’t drink and I don’t smoke. When I was a teenager, 18, I was playing cards once with this young lady. At one point, we went out on the porch and she was smoking a cigarette. She offered me one and I told her I didn’t smoke. She said, ‘I like my men to smoke.’ I said, ‘I guess I won’t be one of your men.’ That’s the way it is.

“My mom always told me to use my brain. Certain things I believe in and you’re not going to make me do something I don’t want to do.”

Robinson remains active, bowling on Tuesday mornings.

“I had a 178 here (three weeks ago), and a 193,” Robinson said. “Just started back. Lost my wife three, four months ago and had been off. I’m back in the groove again.”

He has come within one pin of perfection, bowling a 299.

“That 10 pin just eats me up,” Robinson said.

At his age, Robinson’s not sure he can string together 11 strikes again and take another shot at it.

Robinson has lived through the Great Depression, World War II (where he served in the Navy) and the turbulence of the 1960s … and that was before he hit middle age.

What’s changed the most in this country?

“Politics,” said Robinson, who was a carpenter. “And I’m not a politician. Too much politics. You can think the way you want, but live and let live. We need more love and appreciation for each other.

“I came up in a different world, but we made it. To be honest with you, I believe in God. He will prevail.”

Living such a long life, people inevitably ask Robinson the secret to longevity.

“Well, just try to live right and treat others like you want to be treated,” he said. “That’s my motto. Do unto others as you wish to be done to you. I’ve had my ups and downs. I’m not a saint. I’m not perfect. Just try to live right.”

Robinson believes it would be good if young people were still required to serve in the military when they came of age.

“If a young man goes in the service, it teaches him a lot,” Robinson said. “Discipline. I’ve seen the need for young men to be disciplined. Kids are raising themselves these days. A lot of the parents aren’t doing a good job. They let them do what they want. I’m a discipline person.

“It teaches so much. It teaches you how to get along with everybody. Your fellow man is just like your brother. That’s the way I feel.”

Robinson turns 100 on Jan. 22. A party is planned for the milestone.

“They said they’re doing something,” Robinson said. “I’m not doing anything. I’m just proud to be here.”

He may have meant on this earth. Then again, on this night, seeing his great-grandson, maybe he meant Snapdragon Stadium.