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Nate Robinson Receives Tryout with Seattle Seahawks
Former NBA point guard Nate Robinson is one step closer to making his NFL dream come true by earning a tryout with the Seattle Seahawks.
Per a Monday report from Master Tesfatsion and Mark Maske of the Washington Post, Robinson worked out for the Seahawks as a defensive back after previously playing the position at the University of Washington.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported after the workout on Monday it "doesn't sound like" the Seahawks will be signing Robinson but will "keep in contact for down the road."
Head coach Pete Carroll spoke to reporters (via the News Tribune's Dave Boling) on Tuesday regarding Robinson, saying he's "an amazing athlete" but added it would be tough for Robinson to return to football at this point in his life, per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
Robinson played in only two NBA games with the New Orleans Pelicans this past season before they waived him on Oct. 29.
After sitting out the next four months, Robinson returned to the spotlight when he released a video announcing his intentions of trying his hand at professional football:
Robinson did continue to play professional basketball, signing with Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel on March 17. He helped lead the team to a playoff appearance, scoring 46 points in Game 1 of a best-of-five series against Hapoel Jerusalem.
In an interview with ESPN.com's Kevin Pelton, Robinson expanded on his desire to play in the NFL: "It's a big-time dream. Something I've always wanted to do, play both sports at the highest level. We'll see if I can be the first one to really do it."
Upon learning Robinson wanted to play in the NFL, Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse told 710 ESPN Seattle's Danny, Dave and Moore (via Brent Stecker of 710 ESPN) he hoped the team would give him a look:
You know what? I want Seattle to give him a chance. So if he would come into the league, he would be considered what, a rookie, right? ... He'd be a rookie, so give him a shot at rookie minicamp. ...
I watched a couple games when he was at UW, and he was a baller. He was an athletic guy.
Robinson did tell Pelton he hadn't started any football training at the time but was "going to do that as soon as I get back home in June."
He also noted one scout for the Seahawks had already talked to him; plus, he received a phone call from the New England Patriots.
Even though he played football in college for only one season, Robinson was solid with two interceptions and 34 tackles in 13 games (six starts), per GoHuskies.com. That was in 2002, and a lot has changed, not to mention Robinson is 32 years old with 11 years of professional basketball mileage on his legs.
Robinson has shown football aptitude in the past. The Seahawks aren't losing anything by giving him a shot. There's no downside for either party. If it works, Seattle will have a new member for its potent secondary, and Robinson will have achieved a lifelong dream.