The dream is dead. Long live the dream. Former Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins, who hasn’t played since 2011, officially retired via Twitter on Tuesday night.
I'm officially announced my retirement from the #NFL. I also would like to thank my family, (cont) http://t.co/BpOXynmJlo
— Coach Nick Collins Sr (@CoachPick36) August 20, 2014
For all intents and purposes, Collins was already retired. He just didn’t want to believe it. The neck injury he suffered in September of 2011 took care of that.
Collins missed the remainder of that season after having cervical fusion surgery. The Packers released him the following April, after determining it was too risky for Collins to continue his career.
On more than one occasion after being released by the Packers, Collins tried to drum up interest in his services, hoping some NFL team would give him a chance to make a comeback.
No one did.
It appears he’s come to the realization that no one will, either.
It’s an unfortunate situation to say the least. At 31, Collins would be in the prime of his career right now.
In seven NFL seasons (or six and two games, if you prefer), Collins was a three-time Pro Bowler. Had he stayed healthy and continued his stellar play, we might be debating whether Collins would one day be a Hall of Famer.
One awkward knee to the head by a guy no one will remember (Jonathan Stewart) robbed him of what should have been a long and productive career.
We’ll always love you anyway, Nick.
I’ve always said that the reason the Pack’s D fell flat in 2011 was for 3 main reasons: Cullen Jenkins’ departure, Woodson aging, and Collins injury. If he had stayed healthy, just maybe our defense would have rebounded last year and we would be laughing at Jim Hackbaugh and the forty Whiners. Such a complete shame for so many reasons.
Love Nick Collins!
I feel sad and happy at the same time. I am actually a little teary.
Congrats, may the rest of your life be great Nick. Perhaps coach? Too many what-ifs with the Packers in the last 25 years.
A true star….
visions of Superbowl Int whenever I hear the name….
All the best.
A great football career. It is a real loss to the fans of not only the Packers but the NFL that Nicks career was cut short by injury. Best wishes to Nick and his family on their future endeavors. Thank you for the highlights.
I remember when we drafted him; Leroy Butler talked glowingly how this kid was deserving of his old #36, and Nick backed it up big time. It’d be kinda cool if we’d issued #36 for only promising safeties (like HaHa) instead of a camp RB (like LaDarius Perkins).
Sad to hear about this. Meanwhile a useless Safety like Burnett is 100% healthy ready to bring nothing to the table..!
Collins was far more valuable to the Packers than even Woodson. Collins had a 4.36 40 time, much faster than any safety the Packers currently have on the team, which allowed him to cover a whole lot of territory and freed up Woodson to be used any way Capers saw fit. After he made the Pro Bowl in his 3rd year, he made it every year until he got injured, something that Sharper and Butler never did. It is very unfortunate that the Packers lost him, they might have won another Super Bowl had with him.