Jags’ Collier shot, has life-threatening injuries
Wednesday, September 3, 2008 12:17 PM PDT
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Richard Collier has faced some adversity in recent years.
He didn’t have the grades or test scores to attend most universities, so he had to work his way through junior college. He didn’t have the exposure to get selected in the NFL draft, so he had to make the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted rookie free agent.
He didn’t have the chance to start early in his career, so he had to do anything and everything he could to make his coaches take notice.
Now, Collier is facing his most difficult challenge yet.
The 26-year-old offensive tackle was shot outside an apartment building early Tuesday, leaving him fighting for his life and prompting family, friends, teammates, coaches, fans and police to start searching for answers.
‘‘The guys are in shock,’’ Pro Bowl running back Fred Taylor said. ‘‘You see this kind of thing happen all the time on TV, but you never expect it in your own back yard. He’s a good dude. I just pray for him and his family and wish the best for them. I’m sure he’ll pull through.’’
Collier and former teammate Kenneth Pettway were waiting in a Cadillac Escalade for two women they had met at a nightclub when a gunman fired into the vehicle, said Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office spokesman Ken Jefferson. Collier was shot several times, but it was unclear where the 6-foot-7, 345-pound linemen was hit.
Pettway, who was released in final cuts Saturday, was not injured.
Collier was in critical, but stable condition following surgery at Shands Jacksonville Medical Center. Later, the hospital said it would no longer give updates on his condition. Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said Collier’s family had requested privacy.
Several players, including running back Maurice Jones-Drew, offensive tackle Khalif Barnes and linebackers Mike Peterson and Clint Ingram gathered at the hospital. Others convened at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, all of them concerned about their teammate and friend.
Del Rio said the entire organization paused Tuesday, taking a break from game-planning for the season opener at Tennessee to focus on what he called ‘‘a very unfortunate incident, really, really a shame.’’
‘‘Right now, he’s battling for his life,’’ Del Rio said on his weekly radio show. ‘‘All we can do right now is pray for healing. We have no control over that situation other than saying some prayers.
