 Collins in 2006 | |||||||||||||||
| No. 36 | |||||||||||||||
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| Position | Safety | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born | (1983-08-16)August 16, 1983 (age 42) Gainesville, Florida, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight | 207 lb (94 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school | Dixie County(Cross City) | ||||||||||||||
| College | Bethune–Cookman (2002–2004) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2005: 2nd round, 51st overall pick | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||
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Nicholas Cordell Collins (born August 16, 1983) is an American former professionalfootball player who was asafety for seven seasons with theGreen Bay Packers of theNational Football League (NFL).[1] He playedcollege football for theBethune-Cookman Wildcats, and was selected by the Packers in the second round of the2005 NFL draft. Collins led the league ininterceptions returned fortouchdowns and interception return yards in the2008 season. InSuper Bowl XLV, he interceptedBen Roethlisberger for a touchdown as the Packers beat thePittsburgh Steelers, 31–25.
In2011, Collins suffered a career-ending neck injury. He was officially released by the Packers in 2012, and formally announced his retirement in 2014. Collins was inducted into theGreen Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 2016.
Collins was a diverse athlete during his high school career. He attendedDixie County High School inCross City, Florida, and lettered twice as aquarterback,running back anddefensive back. Collins was also given first-team all-conference honors and was named team MVP as a senior. Collins also earned two letters as a basketballguard and three letters as acenter fielder in baseball.
He was a student athlete atBethune–Cookman University inDaytona Beach, Florida, where he played for theBethune–Cookman Wildcats football team.
In 2002, Collins spent the majority of the season as a reservelinebacker. He played in all thirteen games of the season, making his first two starts in the final two games of the season at thestrong safety position. Collins finished the season with 35 tackles (22 solo), one interception, five defended passes, one fumble recovery and eight kickoff returns for 181 yards. His strongest statistical performance of the season was an eight-tackle game in his first start, againstFlorida A&M University, on November 23.
Collins became a full-time starter at free safety for the Bethune–Cookman Wildcats in 2003. He started 11 of the season's 12 games, missing only a November 15 contest againstHoward University. Collins had a breakout season in 2003, leading theMid-Eastern Athletic Conference in interceptions with six and finished third in the conference in passes defended with 13. He also contributed 54 tackles (33 solo), a fumble recovery, and the first defensive touchdown of his college career (intercepting a pass byNorfolk State University quarterback Willie Mitchell and returning it 45 yards for the score). He was an all-conference selection for the season.
As a senior in 2004, Collins was anAssociated Press third-teamDivision I-AA All-America selection and first-team All-MEAC honors at the free safety position. He once again led the conference with six interceptions, led his team in solo tackles (34) and passes defended (13), and scored the second and final defensive touchdown of his collegiate career. Collins had an interception in each of the first four games of the 2004 season. He had a memorable performance in the final game of his college career, intercepting FAMU quarterback Ben Dougherty at the Bethune–Cookman 8 yard line with only 1:49 left in regulation, sending the game into overtime and to an eventual 58–52 doubleovertime Bethune–Cookman victory.
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft11+1⁄8 in (1.81 m) | 206 lb (93 kg) | 31 in (0.79 m) | 8+1⁄2 in (0.22 m) | 4.49 s | 1.64 s | 2.65 s | 4.16 s | 6.94 s | 40.0 in (1.02 m) | 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) | 11 reps | |
| All values fromNFL Combine[2][3][4] | ||||||||||||
TheGreen Bay Packers selected Collins in the second round (51st pick overall) of the2005 NFL draft.[5] Collins would become only the second Bethune-Cookman player to make the Packers roster. Many draft analysts immediately labeled the selection a "major reach" by the Packers due to Collins third to fifth round projection.[6][7] NFL draft expertMel Kiper Jr. also labeled Collins a reach by the Packers and stated, "Corner Nick Collins is a good athlete but very raw and was a reach in the second round."[8]
On August 2, 2005, the Green Bay Packers signed Collins to a five-year, $3.76 millioncontract that includes $896,100 guaranteed and asigning bonus of $361,040.[9][10]
Green Bay Packers'GMTed Thompson drafted Collins in hopes of him eventually becoming the Packers' starting free safety afterDarren Sharper vacated the role when he was granted his release and signed with the NFC North rivalMinnesota Vikings.[11][12] Throughouttraining camp, Collins competed againstEarl Little,Arturo Freeman, andMarviel Underwood for a job as a starting safety. Head coachMike Sherman named Collins the starting free safety to start the regular season, alongside strong safetyMark Roman.[13]
He made his professional regular season debut and first career start in theGreen Bay Packers' season-opener at theDetroit Lions and made one tackle in their 17–3 loss.[14] On November 21, 2005, he collected 11 combined tackles (eight solo), two pass deflections, and made his first career interception off a pass by quarterbackDaunte Culpepper during a 20–17 loss to theMinnesota Vikings in Week 11.[14] In Week 15, Collins made a season-high 12 combined tackles (11 solo) and a pass deflection in a 48–3 loss at theBaltimore Ravens.[14] He completed his rookie season in2005 with a career-high 84 combined tackles (63 solo), seven passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and an interception in 16 games and 16 starts.[15]
On January 2, 2006, Packers' GM Ted Thompson fired head coachMike Sherman after the Packers finished with a 4–12 record in 2005.[16] Collins entered training camp slated as the starting free safety.[17] Head coachMike McCarthy officially named Collins the starter to begin the regular season, opposite starting strong safetyMarquand Manuel.[18]
In Week 2, Collins collected a season-high eight solo tackles in a 34–27 loss to theNew Orleans Saints. On December 3, 2006, he recorded a season-high nine combined tackles in the Packers' 38–10 loss to theNew York Jets in Week 13.[19] On December 31, 2006, Collins made six solo tackles, a season-high three pass deflections, two interceptions, and scored his first career touchdown in a 26–7 victory at theChicago Bears in Week 17. He intercepted a pass attempt by quarterbackBrian Griese and returned for a 55-yard touchdown in the first quarter.[20] The touchdown marked the firstpick six of his career. Collins completed the2006 season with 80 combined tackles (65 solo), ten pass deflections, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a touchdown in 16 games and 16 starts.[15]
He retained his job as the starting free safety to begin 2007, alongside strong safetyAtari Bigby.[21] In Week 2, Collins collected a season-high five solo tackles during a 35–13 victory at theNew York Giants.[22] He was inactive, for the first time in his career, for three games (Weeks 11–13) after injuring his knee.[23] He finished the season with 46 combined tackles (40 solo) and five pass deflections in 13 games and 13 starts.[15]
TheGreen Bay Packers finished the2007 season first in theNFC North with a 13–3 record and earned a first round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. On January 12, 2008, Collins started in his first career playoff game and recorded four solo tackles in the Packers' 42–20 victory against theSeattle Seahawks in the NFC Divisional Round.[22] The following week, he made another four solo tackles as the Packers were eliminated from the playoffs after being defeated 23–20 by theNew York Giants in theNFC Championship Game.[22]
Head coach Mike McCarthy retained Collins and Atari Bigby as the starting safeties to start the 2008 season.[24] On September 14, 2008, Collins recorded two combined tackles, a pass deflection, and returned an interception by quarterbackJon Kitna for a 42-yard touchdown in Week 2 48–25 victory over theDetroit Lions.[25] In Week 4, Collins made seven combined tackles, broke up a pass, and made an interception in a 31–20 loss at theTampa Bay Buccaneers. The following week, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles in the Packers' 27–24 loss to theAtlanta Falcons in Week 5. In a Week 6 34–14 blowout win over theIndianapolis Colts, he intercepted a pass by quarterbackPeyton Manning in the third quarter and returned it for his second touchdown of the season. On October 19, 2008, he made a tackle, a season-high two pass deflections, and returned an interception for a 59-yard touchdown in a 28–27 loss at theMinnesota Vikings in Week 10.[26] He scored his touchdown after intercepting a pass byGus Frerotte and returning it for his thirdpick six of the season as well as his career.[27][28] On December 17, 2008, it was announced that Collins was voted to the2009 Pro Bowl to mark his firstPro Bowl selection of his career.[29]Collins ended the season with 72 combined tackles (60 solo), a career-high 15 pass deflections, career-high seven interceptions, three touchdowns, and a forced fumble in 16 games and 16 starts.[15] He led the league with threepick sixes and 295 interception return yards in 2008.[30][31]
Collins was unsatisfied with his contract for the upcoming season and opted to skip organized team activities, but attended mandatory minicamp.[32]On January 5, 2009, the Green Bay Packers fired defensive coordinatorBob Sanders and five other defensive coaches. The defense failed to hold on to multiple fourth quarter leads throughout 2008 and were the main cause of the Packers finishing with a 6–10 record.[33] The Green Bay Packers' new defensive coordinator,Dom Capers, opted to retain Collins andBigby as the starting safeties to begin 2009.[34]
On September 20, 2009, Collins recorded a season-high seven combined tackles and a pass deflection in a 31–24 loss to theCincinnati Bengals in Week 2.[35] In Week 10, he collected five combined tackles, deflected two passes, and made his first career sack on quarterbackTony Romo during a 17–7 win against theDallas Cowboys.[35] On December 13, 2009, he made four combined tackles, broke up two passes, and an interception in the Packers' 21–14 victory at theChicago Bears in Week 14.[35] His interception extended his streak to four consecutive games with an interception.[35] On December 30, 2009, it was announced that Collins was one of three safeties to be named to the NFC roster for the2010 Pro Bowl.[36] He completed the2009 season with 53 combined tackles (44 solo), 13 pass deflections, six interceptions, and a sack in 16 games and 16 starts.[15]
TheGreen Bay Packers finished second in theNFC North with an 11–5 record and earned a wildcard berth. On January 10, 2010, Collins collected nine solo tackles during a 51–45 overtime loss at theArizona Cardinals in the NFC Wildcard Game.[35]
On March 4, 2010, the Green Bay Packers placed the highest possible restricted free agent tender on Collins, to ensure they would be compensated if he signed with another team. Any team that would sign Collins would be required to give a first and third round selection in return.[37] On March 9, 2010, Collins signed his one-year, $3.49 millionrestricted free agent tender. Collins's agent stated his client chose to immediately sign the contract as a gesture of good faith in possible negotiations for a long-term deal.[38] On March 12, 2010, the Green Bay Packers signed Collins to a four-year, $26.75 million contract that includes $14 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $4 million.[9]
Head coach Mike McCarthy named Collins the starting free safety to start the 2010 season, opposite rookie strong safetyMorgan Burnett.[39] On November 21, 2010, Collins collected a season-high nine combined tackles during a 31–3 win at theMinnesota Vikings in Week 11.[40] On December 28, 2010, Collins was voted to the2011 Pro Bowl, making it his third consecutive selection.[41] In Week 17, he made three combined tackles, a pass deflection, and intercepted pass by quarterbackJay Cutler 10–3 victory against theChicago Bears. It marked his second consecutive game with an interception.[40] He completed the2010 season with 70 combined tackles (59 solo), 12 passes defensed, and four interceptions in 16 games and 16 starts.[15]
TheGreen Bay Packers finished second in the NFC North with a 10–6 record and clinched a wildcard berth. The Packers went on to defeat thePhiladelphia Eagles 21–16 in the NFC Wildcard Game and earned a 48–21 victory at theAtlanta Falcons in the NFC Divisional Round.[40] On January 23, 2011, Collins recorded seven solo tackles as the Packers won 21–14 at theChicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game.[40] On February 6, 2011, Collins started inSuper Bowl XLV and recorded four solo tackles, a pass deflection, and returned an interception for a touchdown as the Packers defeated thePittsburgh Steelers to win Super Bowl XLV. He returned an interception by quarterbackBen Roethlisberger for a 37-yard touchdown in the first quarter to give the Packers a 14–0 lead, and after the play, Collins was flagged for excessive celebration, awarding the Steelers an extra 15 yards following the kickoff.[42] He was ranked 96th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2011.[43]
Collins and Burnett returned as the starting safety duo to begin the 2011 regular season. He started in theGreen Bay Packers' season-opener against theNew Orleans Saints and collected a season-high eight combined tackles during a 42–34 victory. On September 18, 2011, Collins was carted off the field on a stretcher in the fourth quarter and was immediately taken to the hospital after sustaining a neck injury while attempting to tackle Panthers running backJonathan Stewart. Collins went in to make a routine tackle but when Stewart went to hurdle Collins he didn't get a complete hurdle. The crown of Collins head collided with Stewart's tailbone and Collins’ neck was compressed resulting in serious injury. He spent the night at the hospital and returned to Green Bay the next day, where it was announced that Collins would miss the remainder of the 2011 season.[44] Collins had suffered a herniated disk in his neck, and underwent single-level cervical fusion surgery.[45]
On April 25, 2012, Green Bay decided to release Collins from the team citing concerns about his ability to return to football after suffering such a severe neck injury.[46] On September 28, 2012, Collins' agent, Alan Herman, announced that his neck injury would most likely end his football career.[47]
On August 20, 2014, Collins officially announced his retirement from the NFL via Twitter.[1][48]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Won theSuper Bowl | |
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | GP | Tackles | Fumbles | Interceptions | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | FF | FR | Yds | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | |||
| 2005 | GB | 16 | 84 | 63 | 21 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2006 | GB | 16 | 82 | 67 | 15 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 68 | 22.7 | 55 | 1 | 13 |
| 2007 | GB | 13 | 46 | 40 | 6 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2008 | GB | 16 | 72 | 60 | 12 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 295 | 42.1 | 62 | 3 | 15 |
| 2009 | GB | 16 | 53 | 44 | 9 | 1.0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 110 | 18.3 | 31 | 0 | 13 |
| 2010 | GB | 16 | 70 | 59 | 11 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 26 | 4 | 34 | 8.5 | 24 | 0 | 12 |
| 2011 | GB | 2 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Career | 95 | 419 | 342 | 77 | 1.0 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 21 | 507 | 24.1 | 62 | 4 | 67 | |
Collins and his wife Andrea live inOrlando, Florida. While in college, Collins volunteered at elementary schools and at theYMCA inDaytona Beach. He has also been an instructor at a passing camp for children ages 6 to 15. He has a daughter named Jenajah, and four sons, Nicholas Jr., Nmar'e, Nash, and Nixon.[49]
He has coached high school football as aDefensive back's coach forLake Highland Preparatory School, where he helped win them back-to-back-to-back championships in 2021[50] and 2022.[51]
His son Nicholas Jr. was an All-State defensive back as a freshman on the 2022 Lake Highland championship team and had already received an offer to play at his father's and grandfather's collegiate alma mater, Bethune-Cookman.[52]
After the 2022 high school football season, Collins returned to Bethune-Cookman to become its cornerbacks coach.[53]
Collins' father, Willie Collins, who had been a college quarterback, died of cancer in 2009. “He was my best friend," the younger Collins said of his father. "There was no pressure (from him). That’s one thing I can say about my father. He never put pressure on me. He did bring the best out of me. He always knew I was a self-directed type of kid and I wanted to do things my way. He made sure I stayed on track of my goals.”[54]
