Nick Collins
Encyclopedia
Nicholas Cardell Collins (born August 16, 1983) is an American football
free safety
who plays for the Green Bay Packers
of the NFL
.
, and lettered twice as a quarterback
, running back
and defensive 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 basketball guard and three letters as a center fielder
.
.
In 2002, Collins spent the majority of the season as a reserve linebacker
. He played in all thirteen games of the season, making his first two starts in the final two games of the season at the strong 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, against Florida 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 against Howard University
. Collins had a breakout season in 2003, leading the Mid-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 by Norfolk 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 an Associated Press
third-team Division 1-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 2005 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 double overtime
Bethune-Cookman victory.
by the Green Bay Packers
. Collins would become only the second Bethune-Cookman player to make the Packers roster. Some draft experts felt that the Packers drafted Collins too high, referring to him as "a developmental prospect who is very athletic but very raw" and questioning his ability to fully grasp an NFL-caliber defense.
Though he was listed as a cornerback
in the draft prospect list, Collins competed in Green Bay for the starting free safety job for the 2005 season. Collins would have large shoes to fill on the Packers roster; in 2004, the Packers free safety was Pro Bowl
player Darren Sharper
. At the beginning of the 2004 offseason, Sharper left the team over contract issues, eventually signing with the Minnesota Vikings
and having another Pro Bowl season for 2005.
However, Collins showed the potential and ability that prompted Packers GM Ted Thompson
to select him so early in the draft. He quickly became a physical and emotional presence on a defense which showed tremendous improvement after finishing 26th in overall yards allowed during the 2004 season and in spite of the struggles the Packers faced in their first losing season since 1991. Collins recorded his first notable game on October 30, 2005 against the Cincinnati Bengals
. Collins had four total tackles and two passes defended, including a crushing blow to star wide receiver Chad Johnson that forced him to drop a pass from quarterback Carson Palmer
and a near interception of Palmer that Collins could have returned for a game-changing touchdown.
Collins did record his first interception three weeks later, in a Monday night showdown with the Vikings on November 21. He also recorded a then season-high 11 tackles in the game (8 solo). The interception was an athletic catch which displayed both Collins' physical prowess and his instincts.
Collins finished the 2005 season as an unquestioned starter and defensive leader. His total season statistics: 84 tackles (63 solo), one interception, two forced fumbles and seven passes defended.
In 16 games played during the 2006 season, Collins total season statistics were as follows: 80 tackles (65 solo), 15 assists, 3 interceptions and 2 forces fumbles. 2 of his interceptions came during a 26-7 victory over the Chicago Bears
on December 31, 2006.
In 2007, Collins started 13 of the Packers games and missed 3 due to injury. During the season Collins total season statistics were as follows: 46 tackles(40 solo), no interceptions, no forced fumbles and 5 passes defended.
In 2008, Collins stepped up his game early in the season with 5 interceptions with 3 returned for touchdowns along with 7 passes defensed in his first 9 games of the season when the Packers secondary was depleted with injuries to starting corner Al Harris and strong safety Atari Bigby
. His performance earned him a spot in the 2008 Pro Bowl
.
In 2009, Collins had another outstanding year, picking off six passes.
Collins was selected to his second straight Pro Bowl
in 2009 behind former Packer Darren Sharper
. He started the game for the NFC due to Sharper's participation in Super Bowl XLIV.
On March 12, 2010, Collins signed a long-awaited 3 year contract with the Packers. His performance during the 2010 season earned him a third consecutive Pro Bowl selection.
On February 6, 2011, in Super Bowl XLV
, Collins picked off an under thrown Ben Roethlisberger
pass in the 1st quarter and weaved his way through the Steelers offense, diving into the endzone for a 37-yard touchdown. It gave the Packers a 14-0 lead as they went on to defeat the Steelers
, 31-25.
Collins finished Super Boxl XLV with one interception returned for a touchdown, four total tackles(all solo), and one pass defended.
On September 18, 2011, in a game against the Carolina Panthers
, Collins was carted off the field in a stretcher after sustaining a neck injury while attempting to tackle Panthers HB Jonathan Stewart
. Collins spent the night at the hospital and returned to Green Bay the next day, where it was announced that Collins will miss the remainder of the 2011 season.
. While in college, Collins volunteered at elementary schools and at the YMCA
in Daytona Beach. He has also been an instructor at a passing camp for children ages 6 to 15. He has a daughter named Jenajah, and two sons, Nicholas Jr. and Nmar'e.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
free safety
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
who plays for the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
of the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
.
High school
Collins was a diverse athlete during his high school career. He attended Dixie County High School in Cross City, FloridaCross City, Florida
Cross City is a town in Dixie County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,775 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 1,800...
, and lettered twice as a quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
, running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
and defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
. Collins was also given first-team all-conference honors and was named team MVP as a senior. Collins also earned two letters as a basketball guard and three letters as a center fielder
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
.
College career
He was a student athlete at Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach, FloridaDaytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,211. Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Deltona – Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the census bureau estimated had...
.
In 2002, Collins spent the majority of the season as a reserve linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
. He played in all thirteen games of the season, making his first two starts in the final two games of the season at the strong safety
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
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, against Florida A&M University
Florida A&M University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU, is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States, the state capital, and is one of eleven member institutions of the State University System of Florida...
, 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 against Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
. Collins had a breakout season in 2003, leading the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is a collegiate athletic conference of historically black colleges and universities in the Southeastern United States...
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 by Norfolk State University
Norfolk State University
Norfolk State University is a four-year, state-supported, coed, liberal arts, historically black university located in Norfolk, Virginia. It is member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund and the Virginia High-Tech Partnership.-Academics:...
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 an Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
third-team Division 1-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 2005 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 double overtime
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
Bethune-Cookman victory.
Green Bay Packers
Collins entered the NFL on April 23, 2005 when he was selected in the second round (51st pick overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft2005 NFL Draft
The 2005 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 23–24, 2005. The league also held an supplemental draft that year, which was held after...
by the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
. Collins would become only the second Bethune-Cookman player to make the Packers roster. Some draft experts felt that the Packers drafted Collins too high, referring to him as "a developmental prospect who is very athletic but very raw" and questioning his ability to fully grasp an NFL-caliber defense.
Though he was listed as a cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
in the draft prospect list, Collins competed in Green Bay for the starting free safety job for the 2005 season. Collins would have large shoes to fill on the Packers roster; in 2004, the Packers free safety was Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
player Darren Sharper
Darren Sharper
Darren Mallory Sharper is an American football safety who currently is a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at William & Mary....
. At the beginning of the 2004 offseason, Sharper left the team over contract issues, eventually signing with the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
and having another Pro Bowl season for 2005.
However, Collins showed the potential and ability that prompted Packers GM Ted Thompson
Ted Thompson
Ted Thompson is the current general manager of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Thompson was named to the post on January 14, 2005, by Packers president and CEO Bob Harlan. Thompson took over the general manager duties from Mike Sherman, who had been serving as both head coach and general manager...
to select him so early in the draft. He quickly became a physical and emotional presence on a defense which showed tremendous improvement after finishing 26th in overall yards allowed during the 2004 season and in spite of the struggles the Packers faced in their first losing season since 1991. Collins recorded his first notable game on October 30, 2005 against the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
. Collins had four total tackles and two passes defended, including a crushing blow to star wide receiver Chad Johnson that forced him to drop a pass from quarterback Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer is an American professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals first overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Southern California and won the Heisman Trophy in 2002...
and a near interception of Palmer that Collins could have returned for a game-changing touchdown.
Collins did record his first interception three weeks later, in a Monday night showdown with the Vikings on November 21. He also recorded a then season-high 11 tackles in the game (8 solo). The interception was an athletic catch which displayed both Collins' physical prowess and his instincts.
Collins finished the 2005 season as an unquestioned starter and defensive leader. His total season statistics: 84 tackles (63 solo), one interception, two forced fumbles and seven passes defended.
In 16 games played during the 2006 season, Collins total season statistics were as follows: 80 tackles (65 solo), 15 assists, 3 interceptions and 2 forces fumbles. 2 of his interceptions came during a 26-7 victory over the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
on December 31, 2006.
In 2007, Collins started 13 of the Packers games and missed 3 due to injury. During the season Collins total season statistics were as follows: 46 tackles(40 solo), no interceptions, no forced fumbles and 5 passes defended.
In 2008, Collins stepped up his game early in the season with 5 interceptions with 3 returned for touchdowns along with 7 passes defensed in his first 9 games of the season when the Packers secondary was depleted with injuries to starting corner Al Harris and strong safety Atari Bigby
Atari Bigby
Atari David Bigby is an American football safety for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
. His performance earned him a spot in the 2008 Pro Bowl
2008 Pro Bowl
The 2008 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was the NFL's all-star game for the 2007 season. It was played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii on February 10, 2008. The game was televised in the United States by Fox and began shortly after 11:40am local time . The NFC won, 42–30, despite a 17-point first half AFC...
.
In 2009, Collins had another outstanding year, picking off six passes.
Collins was selected to his second straight Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
in 2009 behind former Packer Darren Sharper
Darren Sharper
Darren Mallory Sharper is an American football safety who currently is a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at William & Mary....
. He started the game for the NFC due to Sharper's participation in Super Bowl XLIV.
On March 12, 2010, Collins signed a long-awaited 3 year contract with the Packers. His performance during the 2010 season earned him a third consecutive Pro Bowl selection.
On February 6, 2011, in Super Bowl XLV
Super Bowl XLV
Super Bowl XLV was an American football game between the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football Conference champion Green Bay Packers to decide the National Football League champion for the 2010 season. The game was held at Cowboys Stadium in...
, Collins picked off an under thrown Ben Roethlisberger
Ben Roethlisberger
Benjamin Todd "Ben" Roethlisberger , nicknamed Big Ben, is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the first round in the 2004 NFL Draft...
pass in the 1st quarter and weaved his way through the Steelers offense, diving into the endzone for a 37-yard touchdown. It gave the Packers a 14-0 lead as they went on to defeat the Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
, 31-25.
Collins finished Super Boxl XLV with one interception returned for a touchdown, four total tackles(all solo), and one pass defended.
On September 18, 2011, in a game against the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
, Collins was carted off the field in a stretcher after sustaining a neck injury while attempting to tackle Panthers HB Jonathan Stewart
Jonathan Stewart
Jonathan Creon Stewart is an American football running back for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL. He was selected by the Panthers in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Oregon.-High school career:Stewart is the career leading rusher in...
. Collins spent the night at the hospital and returned to Green Bay the next day, where it was announced that Collins will miss the remainder of the 2011 season.
Pro career statistics (defense)
| Year | Team | G | TTkl | Ast | Sacks | Int | Yds | Avg | Lg | TD | Pass Def | FF | FR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
16 | 84 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| 2006 | Green Bay Packers | 16 | 80 | 15 | 0 | 3 | 68 | 22.7 | 55 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| 2007 | Green Bay Packers | 13 | 46 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | Green Bay Packers | 16 | 72 | 12 | 0 | 7 | 295 | 42.1 | 62t | 3 | 15 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | Green Bay Packers | 16 | 53 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 110 | 18.3 | 31 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | Green Bay Packers | 16 | 70 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 34 | 8.5 | 24 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 93 | 405 | 74 | 1 | 21 | 507 | 24.1 | 62t | 4 | 62 | 5 | 0 |
Personal
Collins and his wife Andrea live in Cross City, FloridaCross City, Florida
Cross City is a town in Dixie County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,775 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 1,800...
. While in college, Collins volunteered at elementary schools and at the YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
in Daytona Beach. He has also been an instructor at a passing camp for children ages 6 to 15. He has a daughter named Jenajah, and two sons, Nicholas Jr. and Nmar'e.