Ex-NFL RB, Arkansas standout Collins dies at 28

• Jamison Hensley, ESPN

  Personnel WriterAug 14, 2023

  , 09:13 PM ET Close Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North prior to focusing solely on the Ravens starting in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book entitled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat author for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.

Alex Collins, the previous Arkansas running back who went on to play 5 seasons in the NFL, died after he was involved in a bike crash in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, on Sunday night, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release.He was 28.

Collins crashed

into a sport-utility car on West Oakland Park Boulevard, according to the press release. The SUV was making a left turn when Collins’ bike struck its rear passenger side, causing him to go through a window and come to rest inside the lorry. He was noticable dead at the scene.The crash is under investigation.”Alex was valued by

his family and friends in addition to supporters from all around the world,”Collins’household said in a declaration Monday night.”All who truly know him can vouch for his drive, decision, and epic character.” A fifth-round pick of the Seahawks in 2016, Collins was released by Seattle a year later on and became one of the biggest surprises of the 2017 Baltimore Ravens. He led Baltimore with 973 yards rushing and six goals, celebrating each score with an Irish dance that he learned from the child of his high school football coach.”With heaviness of hearts, we mourn the passing of Alex Collins,”the Ravens said. “Constantly quick to greet everyone with

a smile, he was a truly kind person who carried a special pleasure and passion any place he went. Might Alex constantly be kept in mind for the light and love he gave many people in his life.”With heaviness of hearts, we grieve the passing of Alex Collins. pic.twitter.com/IDywUZ8m73!.?.!— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens )August 15, 2023 In 2018, Collins had a hard time to match

the exact same success and was put on injured reserve in December because of a foot injury.

Baltimore released him four months later on after he was charged on

gun and drug offenses. He returned to Seattle in 2020 and ’21, and was the team’s lead back for a time after starter Chris Carson was injured.In a social networks post, previous Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson called Collins among his preferred teammates.To one of my favorite teammates. You brought happiness to every huddle. Keep Dancin’in Heaven. Love you AC. Permanently missed out on.

#RIP pic.twitter.com/X6dbhWzifH!.?.!— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson)August 15, 2023 Collins most just recently played this spring with the USFL’s Memphis Showboats,

hurrying for 98 backyards and a touchdown in three games.” Alex was a joy to be around
and somebody whose light shined brilliantly,”Ravens coach John Harbaugh stated in a declaration.”I’ll constantly remember him for being a terrific colleague who had an uplifting spirit that impacted everybody he experienced. He was likewise a wise player who kept up limitless determination, and he contributed to a great deal of our success during

his time in Baltimore.” Prior to the NFL, Collins starred at Arkansas, where he hurried for 1,000 backyards in three successive seasons and scored 20 touchdowns as a junior. He is among simply 5 players in SEC history to rush for 1,000 lawns in 3 straight seasons, together with Herschel Walker, Kevin Faulk, Darren McFadden and Benny Snell Jr., according to ESPN Statistics & Details research.”

We are so saddened by the sudden and tragic passing of Alex Collins. He was a legendary Razorback and an even better individual, “the Arkansas football account published on social media.Ryan Mallett, a backup quarterback for that 2017 Ravens team who likewise starred at Arkansas in college, likewise passed away previously this summer season. He drowned in late June while swimming with his sweetheart in Florida.ESPN’s Brady Henderson

added to this story.