Nate Robinson announces he’s dealing with kidney failure

DerekJohnson

By Percy Allen
Seattle Times staff reporter
Nate Robinson, the multisport standout who starred on the football field and basketball court at Rainier Beach High and the University of Washington before an 11-year NBA career, said he’s battling kidney failure.

“I am currently undergoing treatment for renal kidney failure and have been privately dealing with it for the last four years,” Robinson said in a statement Saturday. “I’m sharing this now because I want to be the voice for all those who are having trouble speaking about this illness and come together for a greater cause — our health.”

The 38-year-old Robinson, one of the best all-around athletes in Washington state history, rose to acclaim a little more than two decades ago as an undersized prep superstar.

Robinson’s freakish athleticism — he broke the boys state record in the 110-meter hurdles and was measured at 43.5 inches in the vertical leap — allowed the 5-foot-9 dynamo to excel in football and basketball.

Following in the footsteps of his famous father, Jacque, who played running back at UW, Robinson signed with the Huskies in 2002. He played 13 games and started the final six at cornerback, including a highlight interception in the 2002 Apple Cup.
Robinson left football after one year, which was considered a controversial decision at the time.

“Nobody really doubted me playing football, making it to the NFL,” Robinson said in a 2014 interview with The Seattle Times. “I was like, ‘I know I can do that.’ In my mind, I wanted to know, for sure, for myself, that I could play in the NBA. And so I decided to stop playing football. When Washington fired coach [Rick] Neuheisel [in June 2003], it made my decision easier. I said: ‘You know what? I’m going to go play basketball and see where this carries me and how far this takes me. If it doesn’t work, I can always go back to playing football.’”

Robinson played three years for the UW men’s basketball team while helping the Huskies to two straight NCAA tournament appearances, including the Sweet 16 during his junior year.

In 2005, Robinson entered the NBA draft and was taken No. 21 overall in the first round by the Phoenix Suns. Following a draft night trade to the New York Knicks, he spent 4½ seasons in Gotham City, where he rose to stardom as a high-scoring backup guard.

Robinson played for eight teams during an 11-year NBA career highlighted by winning three NBA Slam Dunk contests, first in 2006 then back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.

Robinson’s popularity exploded due to his high-flying aerial exploits and gregarious personality.

He’s promoted his autobiography, “Heart over Height,” worked out with the Seattle Seahawks in 2016 while contemplating a return to football, starred in the film “Uncle Drew” in 2018 and made an ill-fated venture into boxing that ended with a second-round knockout in his professional debut in 2020.

Robinson hopes his medical announcement can assist others.

“I was never a vocal leader on the court, I preferred to lead by example, but now it’s time for me to speak up and help all those affected by or dealing with kidney disease,” he said. “I am grateful for the care and support I’ve received and continue to receive during this process and hope through this announcement that I can help others like me.”

RaceBannon

Was hoping for a joke tweet not a serious article

UW_Doog_Bot

Sad to hear. He's such a likable guy.

Houhusky

completely unrelated: Acute kidney injury associated with androgenic steroids and nutritional supplements in bodybuilders

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4515889/

46XiJCAB

You hate to hear that. Just an incredible athlete.

Ice_Holmvik

On my second go zround with renal failure. First happened mid 30's due to a genetically acquired disease called Alports Syndrome. Was on Dialysis for 3 years then transplanted. That was a cadaver kidney and it held up till about 3 years ago. Been back on Dialysis since then awaiting my time for another transplant. Some csb for ya.

DerekJohnson

Ice_Holmvik said:

On my second go zround with renal failure. First happened mid 30's due to a genetically acquired disease called Alports Syndrome. Was on Dialysis for 3 years then transplanted. That was a cadaver kidney and it held up till about 3 years ago. Been back on Dialysis since then awaiting my time for another transplant. Some csb for ya.

Sorry to hear that

YellowSnow

I saw him once at a pizza joint off East Lake Sammamish Way a few years back while grabbing a drink with my brother-in-law.

BleachedAnusDawg

YellowSnow said:

I saw him once at a pizza joint off East Lake Sammamish Way a few years back while grabbing a drink with my brother-in-law.

I just about ran into him in Red Square during my college years. I'm 5'10" and he was short to me, and a freaking bowling ball of muscle. All-time freak athlete guy. Pretty funny, too.

DoogmanRefund

I once got a small fracture in my foot while playing against him at the IMA. It was while the current structure was being built so there were tons of construction workers around. A bunch of them came in to marvel at his Harlem Globetrotter squad. Naturally, as a try hard member of the Washington Generals, I tried to dive for a ball I had no chance at saving.
He probably dunked a dozen times that game and added a few half court threes. He was on another planet athletically. Definitely shorter than listed too. I’m 6’1” on a good day but a head taller than him.

YellowSnow

BleachedAnusDawg said:

YellowSnow said:

I saw him once at a pizza joint off East Lake Sammamish Way a few years back while grabbing a drink with my brother-in-law.

I just about ran into him in Red Square during my college years. I'm 5'10" and he was short to me, and a freaking bowling ball of muscle. All-time freak athlete guy. Pretty funny, too.

I’m guessing you couldn’t dunk at 5’10” ?

Nate had the hops.

DoogmanRefund

Sad to hear about his kidney failure but I imagine he’s pretty high on the donor list. He seems like he has lived a healthy life, assuming this is a hereditary condition. He’s also a relatively young parent of some fame and considerable resources.

dannarc

Back in the day I worked at Home Depot in Kirkland while going to school. I worked nights and sometimes my shift would overlap with customers being present. This little dude comes up with a girl and asked where the restroom was, I pointed to back wall and said, " over there" he said thanks and walked off, and it then hit me that it was Nate Robinson. I should have asked him to sign my stupid ass orange apron...

BleachedAnusDawg

YellowSnow said:

BleachedAnusDawg said:

YellowSnow said:

I saw him once at a pizza joint off East Lake Sammamish Way a few years back while grabbing a drink with my brother-in-law.

I just about ran into him in Red Square during my college years. I'm 5'10" and he was short to me, and a freaking bowling ball of muscle. All-time freak athlete guy. Pretty funny, too.

I’m guessing you couldn’t dunk at 5’10” ?

Nate had the hops.

I actually could one hand throw down a mini ball. Highlight of my athletic career.

PurpleThrobber

BleachedAnusDawg said:

YellowSnow said:

BleachedAnusDawg said:

YellowSnow said:

I saw him once at a pizza joint off East Lake Sammamish Way a few years back while grabbing a drink with my brother-in-law.

I just about ran into him in Red Square during my college years. I'm 5'10" and he was short to me, and a freaking bowling ball of muscle. All-time freak athlete guy. Pretty funny, too.

I’m guessing you couldn’t dunk at 5’10” ?

Nate had the hops.

I actually could one hand throw down a mini ball. Highlight of my athletic career.

Tiny hands, tiny.....

DerekJohnson

PurpleThrobber said:

BleachedAnusDawg said:

YellowSnow said:

BleachedAnusDawg said:

YellowSnow said:

I saw him once at a pizza joint off East Lake Sammamish Way a few years back while grabbing a drink with my brother-in-law.

I just about ran into him in Red Square during my college years. I'm 5'10" and he was short to me, and a freaking bowling ball of muscle. All-time freak athlete guy. Pretty funny, too.

I’m guessing you couldn’t dunk at 5’10” ?

Nate had the hops.

I actually could one hand throw down a mini ball. Highlight of my athletic career.

Tiny hands, tiny.....

This seems to be in @huskyhooligan's wheel house. Hooli!!! True??

(His fascination with dongs and all)

DerekJohnson

I made the above joke not thinking about the seriousness of the thread. No disrespect intended.

TomRinaldisPiano

DerekJohnson said:

By Percy Allen
Seattle Times staff reporter
Nate Robinson, the multisport standout who starred on the football field and basketball court at Rainier Beach High and the University of Washington before an 11-year NBA career, said he’s battling kidney failure.

“I am currently undergoing treatment for renal kidney failure and have been privately dealing with it for the last four years,” Robinson said in a statement Saturday. “I’m sharing this now because I want to be the voice for all those who are having trouble speaking about this illness and come together for a greater cause — our health.”

The 38-year-old Robinson, one of the best all-around athletes in Washington state history, rose to acclaim a little more than two decades ago as an undersized prep superstar.

Robinson’s freakish athleticism — he broke the boys state record in the 110-meter hurdles and was measured at 43.5 inches in the vertical leap — allowed the 5-foot-9 dynamo to excel in football and basketball.

Following in the footsteps of his famous father, Jacque, who played running back at UW, Robinson signed with the Huskies in 2002. He played 13 games and started the final six at cornerback, including a highlight interception in the 2002 Apple Cup.
Robinson left football after one year, which was considered a controversial decision at the time.

“Nobody really doubted me playing football, making it to the NFL,” Robinson said in a 2014 interview with The Seattle Times. “I was like, ‘I know I can do that.’ In my mind, I wanted to know, for sure, for myself, that I could play in the NBA. And so I decided to stop playing football. When Washington fired coach [Rick] Neuheisel [in June 2003], it made my decision easier. I said: ‘You know what? I’m going to go play basketball and see where this carries me and how far this takes me. If it doesn’t work, I can always go back to playing football.’”

Robinson played three years for the UW men’s basketball team while helping the Huskies to two straight NCAA tournament appearances, including the Sweet 16 during his junior year.

In 2005, Robinson entered the NBA draft and was taken No. 21 overall in the first round by the Phoenix Suns. Following a draft night trade to the New York Knicks, he spent 4½ seasons in Gotham City, where he rose to stardom as a high-scoring backup guard.

Robinson played for eight teams during an 11-year NBA career highlighted by winning three NBA Slam Dunk contests, first in 2006 then back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.

Robinson’s popularity exploded due to his high-flying aerial exploits and gregarious personality.

He’s promoted his autobiography, “Heart over Height,” worked out with the Seattle Seahawks in 2016 while contemplating a return to football, starred in the film “Uncle Drew” in 2018 and made an ill-fated venture into boxing that ended with a second-round knockout in his professional debut in 2020.

Robinson hopes his medical announcement can assist others.

“I was never a vocal leader on the court, I preferred to lead by example, but now it’s time for me to speak up and help all those affected by or dealing with kidney disease,” he said. “I am grateful for the care and support I’ve received and continue to receive during this process and hope through this announcement that I can help others like me.”

Thanks for the tip! I'll start work on my posthumous exclusive!

YellowSnow

BleachedAnusDawg said:

YellowSnow said:

BleachedAnusDawg said:

YellowSnow said:

I saw him once at a pizza joint off East Lake Sammamish Way a few years back while grabbing a drink with my brother-in-law.

I just about ran into him in Red Square during my college years. I'm 5'10" and he was short to me, and a freaking bowling ball of muscle. All-time freak athlete guy. Pretty funny, too.

I’m guessing you couldn’t dunk at 5’10” ?

Nate had the hops.

I actually could one hand throw down a mini ball. Highlight of my athletic career.

I'm a tall white man who couldn't jump. I could dunk with two hands depending on the court but it wasn't easy. Never dunked in a game, except in HS physical ed with a mini ball over another kid.

Quietcowskee

Waiting for @Tequilla to bless us with his IMA exploits against Nate.

PurpleThrobber

Quietcowskee said:

Waiting for @Tequilla to bless us with his IMA exploits against Nate.

@Tequilla dropped into a zone and Nate busted his ass.