Prior to his professional career, Roberts played college football for the Iowa State Cyclones.
Following the end of the Cyclones 1924 season, he and two other players were asked to play a post-season game for which they would be paid.
Roberts later stated that he still had one year of eligibility on the men's basketball team and was fearful of being caught.
It was then that he received word from the NFL's Pottsville Maroons regarding him playing with the club that upcoming season.
It was then that he again received word from Pottsville Marrons asking him to play for the club for the upcoming season.