All-State running back Robbie Lee, known for his touchdowns on Friday nights, is more than just a standout athlete. Off the field, he is a huge anime fan and an avid gamer, balancing his passions with his athletic commitments.

This balance paid off most recently when Robbie was named to the IHSA All-State team as a running back after an impressive football season. Robbie’s coach, Matthew Zuffante, praised his dedication and leadership.

“This season, Robbie was a silent leader of our team. While he was not outspoken, he led by example with his actions on and off the field. He was one of, if not the, hardest working members of our program,” Zuffante said. “Robbie was not shy about putting in any extra work that he felt needed to be done. I also believe that having his calm sense of demeanor was comforting for his teammates because they knew he always had their back and wanted them to succeed as well.”

Robbie’s journey to success wasn’t without its challenges. A season-ending injury on the lower levels tested his resilience, and waiting for his chance to play varsity as a junior fueled his drive.

“It is crazy to see how far Robbie has come over his time at WEGO,” Zuffante said. “I have coached him since his freshman year, but have really worked with him as his position coach the past two. Robbie excelled on the lower level until he had a season-ending injury. Then, he had to wait his turn his junior year, which I know was not easy for him. Robbie is a competitor and wanted to be on the field as much as possible. He knew that he had one shot (his senior year) to prove to everyone what type of player he was, and he absolutely dominated his senior year.”

Robbie’s impact extends beyond his athletic achievements; he is also known for his character and work ethic, which inspire those around him. Teammate Shaikh Paz described Robbie as someone who consistently leads by example.

“Robbie is one of the hardest workers I know. He’s very funny, sarcastic, and one of the nicest kids I’ve ever met. Sometimes he’s a reminder to me that I need to be a nicer person to everybody because he’s so kind,” Paz said.

In addition to his personality, Robbie’s relentless dedication on the track has left a mark.

“He goes one-hundred percent, even one ten percent, all the time,” Paz said. “During the summer, I used to practice with him and his dad. When I didn’t have anything to do, he would let me train with him to help me get better.”

Football has been Robbie’s favorite sport since he started playing at the age of six. Inspired by legendary Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton, Robbie takes pride in his role as a running back while occasionally playing cornerback. His performance during the 2024 season showcased his talent, with 1,529 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 170 carries, helping lead the Wildcats to a 6-3 record and a playoff appearance.

“I worked and worked and worked and worked and trained so I was ready for everything that came my way, and it was worth it,” Robbie said.

When Robbie isn’t competing in sports, he enjoys spending his free time playing video games on his Nintendo Switch or PlayStation 5. Some of his favorite titles include “God of War,” “Black Myth: Wukong,” and anything from the Mario franchise. With a passion for gaming, Robbie dreams of working for Nintendo one day, potentially in Japan.

“I would like to work for Nintendo… I don’t know if they have a company in the U.S., but I actually would like to go to Japan when I get my majors, when I get enough to work for Nintendo,” Robbie said.

Paz believes Robbie has the qualities to achieve that goal.

“He has all the best grades. He’s the hardest worker, the nicest person—everything you would look for in a person. All his values are there for him to get a job at Nintendo one day,” Paz said.

Robbie is also a dedicated anime fan, particularly of “Dragon Ball,” which inspires his determination.

“I love everything about ‘Dragon Ball,’ and my favorite character in it is, of course, Goku, because he’s just a really big inspiration to me because he works hard in every single thing he does and he never gives up no matter what happens,” Robbie said.

The camaraderie between Robbie and his teammates is evident in shared memories, like the Geneva meet, where Robbie, Paz, and others bonded over jokes and competition.

“It was just fun,” Paz said. “We were all joking around and making great memories.”

As Robbie prepares for the upcoming track season, his teammates have high hopes for him.

“I’m hoping he breaks the 100-meter record or even the 200. He’s a sprinter, and he’s fast—he worked for it,” Paz said.

Balancing academics, sports, and hobbies is no easy feat, but Robbie takes it all in stride, driven by an unyielding determination.

“The way that helps me overcome many bad things is that I tell myself in every single thing that I do that I’m the greatest at it. And no matter how many times I fall, any time I mess up, I get back up no matter what it is,” Robbie said.

From rushing touchdowns to chasing dreams of working for Nintendo, Robbie Lee is writing the first chapter of what promises to be a remarkable story.