B-CU’s Collins To Green Bay HOF

Former Bethune-Cookman defensive back standout Nick Collins joins some of the greatest players in pro football history as the Green Bay Packers, one of the most storied professional sports franchises, enshrine him in its Hall of Fame Saturday evening.

A seven-year veteran, the 31-year-old Collins started every game he played for the Packers after being drafted in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Collins played seven seasons for the Packers, posting 21 interceptions and 83 pass breakups. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection from 2008-10, becoming the first Packers safety since LeRoy Butler in 1996-98 to accomplish that feat.

At Super Bowl XLV, Collins’ 36-yard interception return for a touchdown helped the Packers take an early 14-0 lead en route to a 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Collins suffered a frightening neck injury on Sept.18, 2011 against the Carolina Panthers and had not played a game since. In Sept. 2012, Collins’ agent said that his client’s career was likely over and he officially announced his retirement in August, 2014.

Collins was an Associate Press third-team Division I-AA All-American and a first-team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference player his senior season, a season in which he led the league with six interceptions, including a last-minute pick against Florida A&M that helped send the game into overtime and an eventual 58-52 Wildcat victory. After his retirement, Collins returned to Bethune-Cookman to earn his Bachelor’s degree.