Nick Collins Speaks About Career in the Past Tense
Safety Nick Collins spoke about his neck injury and future for the first time in an interview conducted yesterday.
Reporter Lance Allen of TMJ4 in Milwaukee, the city's NBC affiliate, spoke with Packers safety Nick Collins who attended yesterday's Brewers playoff game.
In a brief interview, the first one Collins has given since suffering a serious neck injury earlier this season, he expressed hope about playing football again but also spoke about his career in the past tense.
"It's been a great journey," said Collins. "And if push comes to shove and I can't play again, I just wanna thank everybody for being with me. If that was the end for me, it was great...but I hope to play with my teammates once again."
Collins also explained the specifics of his recently completed neck surgery.
"Took bulging disks out of my neck, replaced it and fused it back together," said Collins.
According to the report, Collins was still wearing a neck brace.
Comments (16)
October 08, 2011 at 10:45 am
It's scary that an NFL career can end in a second. I hope he was responsible with the money he earned. I wonder if seeing this happen to Nick had an effect on Nelson's thought process in signing his deal.
October 08, 2011 at 01:01 pm
Does not sound very good for Nick. The Packers and all Packers fans will miss him. Ever since he is not in the starting lineup the secondary is a lot more vulnerable.
Does anyone know why he is not on IR and an replacement safety signed in his stead?
October 08, 2011 at 06:15 pm
Whenever they find someone in free agency they need, they will put him on IR. They don't put people on IR until it's necessary.
October 08, 2011 at 06:06 pm
That would be such a sad way for a career that is still young to end.
October 08, 2011 at 06:15 pm
This was one I hoped to be wrong on, not sounding good. Why can't I ever be wrong? About anything? It's a blessing, and a curse.
GBP 4 LIFE
October 09, 2011 at 11:19 am
Fitzcore1252, that's funny. With your permission, I'm going to use that line the next time my wife and I disagree and I turn out to be correct. What could happen? Right?
October 09, 2011 at 03:27 pm
It's all yours big guy.
October 09, 2011 at 01:45 pm
Your biggest quality is definitely your humbleness, Fitz.
And TXBadger, an even better idea would be to perform a celebratory dance while saying it.
I suggest the title belt.
October 09, 2011 at 03:28 pm
Thanks for noticing RS.
October 08, 2011 at 06:28 pm
What ever happens it was a pleasure to have watched him play the way he did for the Pack.
Hopefully he's able to come back, but at the very least I feel good that he avoided a more serious injury (like a severed spinal cord).
October 09, 2011 at 03:00 am
Those 6 paragraphs made me cry a bit. I wish Nick Collins the best, to be able to live the rest of his life as a normal human being.
October 09, 2011 at 03:05 am
Also is there any better memory than Collins on his knees in the end zone in the Super Bowl? That will always be the stand out image of his career. (even if it was a 15 yard penalty.)
October 09, 2011 at 03:17 am
Yep. That was amazing.
That, the Rodgers pass in the 4th, and Jennings jumping up and down are my 3 most memorable moments of SB XLV.
It's very sad because the best was ahead of him.
Guy was developing into a legend. :-\
October 09, 2011 at 05:17 am
While I'd love for Nick Collins to safely return and preform as the premiere safety he has been. What would be best is for him to be able to walk away to a full physical and mental life when he decides his career is over. Best of luck Mr. Collins.
October 09, 2011 at 09:08 am
just thinking ahead,but next years draft will be defense,defense and more defense. dt and ends....lbs....and dbs are all needed.
October 09, 2011 at 11:31 am
"Took bulging disks out of my neck, replaced it and fused it back together"
I've described this above comment to a few medical professions this weekend and they all think Collins career is over. Think it'd be far to easy to get paralyzed while playing.