Nomadic career leads Gessner to Seahawks

KIRKLAND, Wash. – Chas Gessner doesn’t quite know which tag describes him best.

Owner of a Super Bowl ring? Ivy League educated? Champion in the now defunct NFL Europe? Budding Arena Football League star? Journeyman?

“I don’t know what that makes me,” Gessner said.

At this moment in Gessner’s ever-evolving professional life, he’s a wide receiver with the Seattle Seahawks. Gessner might be a long shot to make a roster already brimming with unproven, young talent looking to catch the eye of coach Mike Holmgren and a few passes from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.

But it’s Gessner’s journey that makes the story of this 6-foot-5, 26-year-old native of Wheaton, Md.

The Ivy League education is courtesy of Brown University, where Gessner majored in history and minored in business – “just stay away from math,” he adds – sprinkling in football and lacrosse around his class studies.

The Super Bowl ring comes from his first stop in the NFL, when Gessner was an undrafted free agent who signed with New England in 2003. Despite a hamstring injury, Gessner stuck around long enough on the Patriots’ practice squad to watch their 32-29 win over Carolina in the title game and get some jewelry.

After the Super Bowl, Gessner went overseas and won a title in NFL Europe with the Berlin Thunder. But it was after that experience that Gessner’s life truly became nomadic.

First it was off to New York with the Jets, who placed him on their practice squad for a year, then released him during the following training camp. After a season without football, Gessner found work in Tampa Bay, only to sit on the practice squad again, and be released, again.

“You never know what’s going on behind the scenes,” he said.

Gessner found the type of football work he wants during the last year.

Gessner was re-signed by the Buccaneers during the 2007 season and was active for his first NFL game. As usual, Gessner was released once an injured Bucs starter was healthy again.

But the opportunity with Tampa Bay led to a job with the Orlando Predators in the AFL.

Gessner made an impression on the AFL. In 11 games, Gessner caught 76 passes and 20 touchdowns, and was named the league’s rookie of the month in March. But soon came a call from the Seahawks, who were a surprising suitor since Gessner had previously had tryouts with Cleveland and Atlanta.

Notes

Seattle released former University of Washington WR Anthony Russo and signed WR Trent Shelton. … The Seahawks practiced on damp grass back at their Kirkland practice facility after moving to the UW’s indoor practice facility a day earlier.