PROGRAM SUCCESS – JANUARY 2009
PAGE 37
Bethune-Cookman University’s Nick
Collins Named 2008 Pro Bowl Starter
By Lori Nickel of the Journal Sentinel
Guest Colunist
When Nick Collins was drafted in 2005, he was a little-known defensive back from littleknown Bethune-Cookman with unknown potential. But the Green Bay Packers needed a
free safety after the departure of Darren Sharper so they took a chance on a 5-foot-11, 200pound hitter.
Raw and young but the starter from Day 1, anyway, Collins showed coverage ability and
greater possibilities after letting an interception or two slip through his fingers in his first
couple of years. Motivated to elevate his game, Collins worked closely with veteran cornerback Charles Woodson last off-season.
His work and perseverance were rewarded this past December when Collins was chosen
as a starter to represent the Packers and the NFC in the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Woodson, tied
with Collins for the NFC lead with five interceptions, was the other Packer selected. “It
was just a dream come true, a blessing,” Collins said.
“My personal goal is to make the plays that come my way,” Collins said then. “I feel that
if I just, a couple of balls that I knocked down last year, I turn into interceptions, I’ll have
a great year.” And he started lugging home game film to study how.
“He took some technical, excellent notes,” secondary coach Kurt Schottenheimer said in
October. “He writes everything down. He has a book for Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4 and
he continues to take notes. He’s very precise with that. In that regard you know he’s spending a lot of time working on it.”
The day off from team practice Tuesday was a whirlwind for Collins. He was in the doctor’s office looking at his wife’s ultrasound (it’s a boy!) when Schottenheimer left a
message on his cell phone (it’s your first Pro Bowl!) “So I got a double whammy at the
same time,” said Collins, unable to stop grinning.
Last season, the Packers sent Al Harris to the Pro Bowl, demonstrating the strength the
Packers have in their secondary. But the award comes at a time when good news is scarce
around Green Bay. The Packers were on a four-game losing skid and have already been
eliminated from playoff contention. Although that soured the mood of the team, Collins
was still elated at the individual honor. He gave the impression, though, that he would
rather be on a winning team. “As a team, we fell short of our goals to make the playoffs
and make a run at the Super Bowl,” Collins said. “It’s a great individual award but I am a
team player. I wasn’t focused on that; I’m a team player and I was focused on trying to help
this team win.”
Collins leads the NFL with three interception returns for touchdowns and 230 interception
return yards. He’s second on the team with 93 tackles and third in passes knocked down
with 11. He battled through back injuries and pain this season.
Nick Collins
(left) will be
making his
first Pro Bowl
appearance
while Charles
Woodson will
be in his fifth.
Photo By
Mark Hoffman
Nick Collins
Up-Close and Personal
* Given name Nicholas Cardell Collins
* Born in Gainesville, Fla.
* Married to Andrea
* The couple has a daughter, Jenajah, 4, and an infant
son, Nicholas Jr.
* Was a three-year letterman and two-year starter at
Division I-AA Bethune-Cookman University
* In 34 games (23 starts), had 144 tackles (89 solo),
one sack, 13 passes defensed and 13 interceptions two of which he returned for scores
* Lettered twice as a quarterback, running back and
defensive back at Dixie County High School in Cross
City, Fla.
* Was named first-team all-conference and team MVP
as a senior
* The past two seasons, participated in local United Way
kickoff events and in benefits for the Donald Driver
Foundation
* Started the Nick Collins Scholarship Fund at his home
town high school, which will provide four scholarships
annually to students heading off to college; hopes the
scholarship fund will be the start of his own charitable
foundation
* Over the holidays, signed autographs at a Lunch With
Santa event to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters and played
games and sang songs with youngsters at the annual Fam
ilies of Children with Cancer holiday party
* Volunteered at elementary schools and the YMCA in
Daytona Beach, Fla., while in college
* Also has been an instructor at a passing camp in Cross
City, Fla., for kids ages 6-15
* Hobbies include bowling, watching action movies,
fresh-water fishing and spending time with his family
* Residence: Gainesville, Fla.