Since coming to Seattle, head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider have searched far and wide for talent. Their latest search took them international as the Seahawks signed Darren Fells on Tuesday, a former professional basketball player in Argentina.
Seahawks sign Darren Fells, former pro basketball player
The Seahawks showed once again they are not afraid to make unconventional moves when they signed tight end Darren Fells to a three-year contract on Tuesday. Fells had been playing professional basketball in Argentina.
USA TODAY Sports
For more on the story, visit Field Gulls
The Seahawks signed the 6'7, 280-pound tight end to a three-year contract, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. The move is just the latest example of Seattle's willingness to think outside of the box. The Seahawks have consistently "overdrafted" players according to pundits. They've also had success signing players from outside the NFL, including Brandon Browner who went on to make a Pro Bowl after being signed from the CFL.
Fells played college basketball at UC-Irvine before playing professionally in Europe and South America. He does have NFL ties, however, as he is the brother of New England tight end Daniel Fells. According to Rapoport, Fells was planning a pro day to work out for teams, but agreed to a deal with the Seattle after a private workout. The Seahawks apparently thought enough of Fells to sign him to a multi-year deal.
He wouldn't be the first college basketball player to transition to the NFL as Antonio Gates and Jimmy Graham have successfully previously done so, to extreme success. Whether Fells can be the latest former basketball player to make the transition remains to be seen, but he shows good athleticism in this highlight video.
More in the NFL:
See More:
