By Janie McCauley
The Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. - The agent for Barret Robbins confirmed Monday that the Oakland Raiders' All-Pro center has bipolar disorder, and that he expressed "remorse and deep sadness" for missing the Super Bowl.

Robbins remains hospitalized because of his condition, agent Drew Pittman said in a statement to ESPN.

"Barret would like to express his remorse and deep sadness for the events surrounding the Super Bowl," the statement said. "He knows many people have been hurt by his actions, including his family, his teammates, the Raider organization, the Raider Nation, and the game of football."

The statement, which also acknowledged that alcohol was a factor in Robbins' troubles, marked the first time he has commented publicly since he disappeared Jan. 25, the day before the Raiders' 48-21 Super Bowl loss to Tampa Bay in San Diego.

Robbins missed two meetings and a walkthrough, and Raiders coach Bill Callahan said Robbins was incoherent and didn't know where he was when he showed up Saturday night. Callahan dismissed him, and Adam Treu started in his place.

The 6-foot-3, 320-pound Robbins has a history of depression and reportedly had stopped taking his medication. A friend who told a newspaper he'd been drinking with Robbins the night before the game said Robbins was despondent and talked about suicide.

Pittman said Robbins' football future is uncertain, but last week Callahan left open the possibility that he could return to the team.

Pittman has not returned multiple calls from The Associated Press.

Raiders senior assistant Bruce Allen said he had no response to Pittman's statement, except that the team has "been monitoring the situation from the beginning."

Robbins was harshly criticized by teammates at first, but the revelations about his medical problems, as well as his apology, has muted some of the resentment.

"If he has a health problem, it's a different situation," left guard Frank Middleton said Monday after returning from the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Middleton had not heard about Robbins' apology.

"It does change some things," he said.

Robbins, 29, made the Pro Bowl for the first time this season, his eighth in the NFL, but did not play in the game Sunday in Honolulu. A year after missing the final 14 games of 2001 with an injured right knee, he was a pivotal part of an offensive line that helped the Raiders produce the league's top offense.

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