3:52pm: The Seahawks aren’t signing Robinson today, but they’ll keep his number handy for down the road, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
2:35pm: It appears that former NBA player Nate Robinson is making a run at playing in the NFL. The diminutive point guard is now packaging himself as a defensive back as he tries out for the Seahawks today, sources tell Master Tesfatsion and Mark Maske of The Washington Post.
Robinson originally went to the University of Washington on a football scholarship and made a name for himself on the gridiron with his electrifying plays, but it has been many years since he tried his hand at football. In a YouTube video released in March, the 32-year-old first announced his NFL aspirations and spoke about playing both offense and defense. However, the early word is that Robinson is looking to play on defense.
Strangely, Robinson signed a deal with an Israeli basketball team just days after saying that he would pursue football. As teams tinker with 90-man rosters, however, Robinson is shifting his focus back to the gridiron once again. It would make for a great story if Robinson is able to land a deal from the Seahawks, particularly since he is a Seattle native.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Nate Robinson. Now there’s a guy who knows exactly what he wants. “I’m an NBA player. Nah, now I’m going to be an NFL player. Nah, now I’m going to play basketball in Israel. Nah, now I’m going to play in the NFL.” Nate, if you want to play football take a shot in the CFL if they will even sign you.
I mean he’s got to pay the bills somehow, can’t afford to sit on his butt when he can go to Israel and earn some money while staying in shape. I’m sure if a team offered him a spot before he signed in Israel, he gladly would’ve taken it. But since he wasn’t offered a spot I assume he knew he had to go somewhere to earn some money. It’s not like players can just put themselves on a team of their choosing.
What is wrong with a guy who had a chance to sign with a team over seas and takes that opportunity but also wants to play FB testing the waters to see if it works and if it does stays here and plays? He signed the contract and it will be a fall back unless he beats a lot of odds and makes the team. How much fun would it be to say you got a chance to play with your home town team? Would you do it if you could take a leave if absence or vacation days? I see nothing wrong with having a fall back plan.