After a 10-year career in the NBA, Nate Robinson wants to play in the NFL. In a video posted on The Lead Sports, Robinson says he can make it in the NFL and is going to attempt to be the first to play in both the NBA and NFL.
Robinson played football, basketball and ran track at Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, where he won a AAA state basketball championship and was named AAA state Player of the Year in Washington. After high school, Robinson enrolled at Washington on a football scholarship. He played all 13 games in 2002 and started the final six games as a cornerback. But Robinson decided to concentrate on basketball after earning All-Pac-10 Freshman Team honors and leading the Huskies in scoring at 13 points per game.
Watch thisRT @Rhenkel9: Just another reason why @nate_robinson is one of my favorite athletes. #SON #Holdat #Football http://t.co/tyOze56cpo
— Nate Robinson (@nate_robinson) October 22, 2013
Robinson declared for the NBA draft in 2005, foregoing his final year of eligibility at Washington, and was selected with the 21st overall pick by the Phoenix Suns but was later traded to the New York Knicks on draft night. Robinson played for eight different teams in 10 years but was most remembered for winning the slam dunk contest three times, including back-to-back wins in 2009 and 2010.
Listed at 5’9″, Robinson has insane leaping ability, which made him so fun to watch on the basketball court. But a good vertical jump can come in handy on the football field, especially while playing corner. In theory, Robinson has the skills to play in the NFL: good hands, quickness and leaping ability. But it helps to have played the game continuously, which Robinson has not.
Also, how many NFL general managers are going to take a 32-year-old former NBA player seriously about playing in the NFL? Probably not many.
Robinson has said before he’d “probably be one of the best corners the NFL has ever seen.” Let’s see if he can come close.