Seattle native Nate Robinson wants to be first NBA player to make it in NFL



NBA standout and former University of Washington basketball player Nate Robinson wants to play in the NFL.

The 31-year-old made the announcement in a YouTube video posted by The Lead Sports.

“If you ask people around here, they’ll know," Robinson said in the video. "Nate Robinson, his best sport is football. And people tell me all the time, if anybody can do it, go play football, it’s you.”

Robinson has already made his mark in the NBA -- becoming the first three-time slam dunk champion. He's currently a free agent after being waved by the New Orleans Pelicans.

The 5-foot-9 180-pounder originally enrolled at Washington on a football scholarship before fully switching to basketball his sophomore year.

Robinson played 13 football games his freshman year, starting the final six at cornerback. That season he made 34 tackles and picked off two passes.

“I haven’t played in 11 years, 12 years, but I know how to tackle, I how to play, I know how to hit, I know how to catch, I can get picks, I can get deflections … I know it all," Robinson said. "If somebody gave me a real opportunity, I know I could play.”

Former Huskies football coach Rick Neuheisel and Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Mercedes Lewis, who played his college ball at UCLA, also appeared in the video -- saying if anybody can make the jump, it's Nate.