Robinson Traded To Packers For Defensive End Labounty

The Seattle Seahawks traded safety Eugene Robinson to the Green Bay Packers Thursday for defensive end Matt LaBounty.

The 6-foot, 195-pound Robinson had been with the Seahawks since signing out of Colgate as a free agent in 1985. Robinson, Seattle’s defensive captain the last four seasons, ranks second in team history with 42 career interceptions.

He was the NFL co-leader in interceptions in 1992 with nine and made the first of two consecutive trips to the Pro Bowl that year. Robinson was Seattle’s MVP in 1991 and 1993.

LaBounty, 6-4, 278 pounds, is entering his fourth NFL season. He played the last 14 games of the 1995 season for the Packers, starting two.

He was drafted out of Oregon in 1992 by the San Francisco 49ers and spent his first season with the 49ers practice squad. He played six games with San Francisco in 1993 before being claimed on waivers by Green Bay. He missed the 1994 season with a back injury.

Robinson’s trade had been rumored for some time. The Seahawks wanted him to take a cut in pay - from $1.2 million per year to $300,000 - for the 1996 season. He became expendable with the addition of free-agent safety Darryl Williams. Williams will earn $1.7 million next season and Robert Blackmon, another safety, $1.5 million.