There may not be a more optimistic man in the NFL than Pete Carroll, but even the Seattle Seahawks head coach believes Nate Robinson’s dream of transitioning from the NBA to NFL is a far-fetched one.
“I think it’s all but impossible,” Carroll said, via ESPN. “It’s as hard as you could possibly get. He’s 32 as well. I don’t know if anybody could do it. But if anybody could, it might be Nate. He’s that versatile an athlete and that great a competitor.”
Robinson, an 11-year veteran of the NBA, had a workout with the Seahawks on Monday. It’s unknown if Seattle has any further interest in the three-time NBA Slam Dunk champion, but Carroll’s comments make it seem unlikely.
“He’s got a lot of work to do,” Carroll said. “Football’s an option that he wants to investigate. He’s a great kid. I’ve known him for a long time, way back when, and always loved the kid. Excited to give him a chance to see where this all fits together for him. We’ll find out down the road.”
Once a decorated high school football player, Robinson arrived at the University of Washington on a full football scholarship. He walked on the basketball team and eventually gravitated toward the hard court once his basketball skills became obvious and the football program under Rick Neuheisel broke up following Robinson’s freshman season.
No player has ever made the transition from the NBA to the NFL.
As a freshman at Washington, Robinson played in 13 games, making one interception. Had he stuck with football, it’s possible he could have enjoyed a long career in the NFL. But at 32 years old, and with his last major football experience coming back in 2002, it’s unlikely Robinson will ever get a chance to play at the NFL level.