Former Wildcat Robert Golden helps start Golden Charter Academy

Following a tremendous career in the NFL, former Wildcat Robert Golden has his sites set on bigger things like starting the Golden Charter Academy.

It’s always great seeing when our former Wildcats succeed on the field of competition and off it. For former Arizona Football star Robert Golden, that is exactly what he is doing.

A native of Fresno, CA, Robert came to Tucson from Edison High School as a high-profiled national recruit, picking Arizona over offers from Oregon, Arizona State, Washington, and UCLA among others.

Arizona Wildcats

Quickly Robert made himself known as one of the better cornerbacks in the Pac-10/12, eventually propelling himself into the NFL.

Signing as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2012, from there, he would see a rather productive career in Pittsburgh, playing six seasons, accumulating 126 tackles (85 solo) with two interceptions and seven pass deflections.

But after six seasons, the Steelers released him, where he then subsequently signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Destined for bigger and better things in his life, Golden then decided to walk away from the game of football just weeks before the start of the season. Inspired to pursue other passions, Golden saw his vision of serving as an agent of change for children in his underserved community of Fresno.

Teaming up with former football player CJ Jones and others, former Wildcat Robert Golden helped start the Golden Charter Academy.

A dream and vision that has been a couple of years in the making now, on Monday, Golden officially opened the public K-8 School in Fresno with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony that welcomed and celebrated the new school, faculty, and students at its opening.

A public school unlike many others, this school will be focused on the three core values of Stewardship, Equity, and Access with the mission of being to “Inspire Powerful Young Minds”.

For Golden, it has been a work in progress, but the hard work has finally paid off as his vision has come to life. Either way, it is exciting to see our former Wildcat succeed off the football field.