GREEN BAY – Nick Collins embodies the phrase “Packer People.”
For six seasons, the Green Bay Packers’ 28-year-old safety was a mainstay on and off the field.
On it, the 2005 second-round draft pick from tiny Bethune-Cookman stepped into a starting role as a rookie. He proceeded to hone his craft while starting 93 of 96 games during his first six seasons. He developed into a three-time Pro Bowl safety and was a key cog in the Packers’ defense that helped Green Bay defeat Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XLV.
Off the field, Collins’ growth was equally impressive. Initially, the shy, soft-spoken kid from Gainesville was uncomfortable in the spotlight. He preferred covering a Pro Bowl receiver to tackling a public speaking engagement. I recall the first time Collins was a featured guest at a Event USA’ player party. His smile was intoxicating but his answers were brief. Clearly he enjoyed being among Packers fans, but expressing himself didn’t come naturally.
Rest assured, the conscientious Collins worked to become more relaxed, and with the help of his wife, Andrea, he came out of his shell. Now he is extremely comfortable speaking in front of fans, and he no longer feels reluctant to share his charm and personality. He is a much-requested repeat attendee at Event USA Fan Receptions and on the PFT Annual Packers’ Vacation Trips & Cruises.
That combination of a likeable disposition, upbeat attitude and supreme talent catapulted Collins to “fan favorite” status.
Getting to know Collins as a person made it all the more enjoyable to see him flourish as a player. That connection also made it so painful to see him felled by a seemingly innocuous hit last season. Collins’ neck was bent awkwardly after his helmet slammed into Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart’s thigh in a Sept. 18 game at Carolina.
The collision left Collins temporarily paralyzed and his fans aghast. Collins’ extremities eventually regained feeling, but the resulting damage required cervical neck fusion surgery.
It has been almost seven months since the injury, and Collins’ football future remains in doubt. According to reports, the Packers and Collins will meet this week to discuss the next step. Will it be a much-welcomed return to the Packers’ defense, or will it be early retirement?
Some fans and media believe Collins should walk away while he can. They feel the risk isn’t worth the reward, and if he does return and incur a neck-related injury, they will say, “See, I told you so.”
The truth is this is Collins’ and his family’s decision and no one else’s.
If Collins is cleared by team doctors and elects to play I will wholeheartedly support his choice. If he chooses to hang up his helmet I will applaud the multitude of big plays he made, and the consummate professionalism he displayed in his seven seasons.
No more, no less.
If Collins elects to retire it begs two questions. What if? Who next
When Packers GM Ted Thompson drafted Collins and presented him with No. 36, he did so confident that the shy, soft-spoken kid from tiny Bethune-Cookman was a worthy successor to LeRoy Bulter.
Collins proved Thompson to be prophetic. And Butler has entusiastically endorsed the use of his jersey number “36” as he and Collins have become close. And mutually respectful.
Sadly, the odds that Thompson can find another draft gem like Collins seems almost as remote as the odds that the Pro Bowl safety would be felled by a freak play.
There was only one LeRoy Butler, and there is only one Nick Collins.
It is what made both such special players, and while it is especially painful to realize the successor’s career may be finished before it reached its zenith.
Chris Havel is a Packers News expert and national best-selling author. His latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’ Player Autograph Parties the evening before home games.
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-Lara and Matt Appleton, Thornhill, Ontario
"I just want to thank you for the wonderful job your staff did last weekend for the Packers vs. Lions game. This was our first time utilizing your program and we were not disappointed at all. In fact, we can’t wait to schedule and event for next season’s games. From my first experience with your staff placing my order until the very end at checkout of the hotel, everything was perfect. You truly out-do yourselves to please everyone. Thanks again for making our stay in Green Bay one of the best."
-Kim Ewing and Bruce DeMaine, Ann Arbor
"My wife and I booked the tour to Tampa. The trip was so well organized from start to finish. It started with the people in the office with their friendly help over the phone, to receiving the tickets in the mail, and meeting the tour guides with their upbeat personalities. Signs guided us in the airport and information was posted in our motel lobbies to keep us posted. Your people had everything in order. Talk about organization, you had it. Event USA made this a most memorable trip. Thanks for all involved."
-Dick Koerner, Neenah
"Dennis - I was blessed to join Amy and some of your customers at the Morton's tailgate as well as after the game. She does an amazing job for you. Every single customer I met praised Event USA for being able to arrange the hotel and tickets and fabulous tailgate party in such a quick time. Having been to some great tour tailgate parties in Jacksonville and Kansas City and old San Francisco, a lot can be said of the long-term benefit of having really great tailgate parties. Morton's was probably one of the best - amazing food, patio sitting on the riverfront, walk to stadium, open bar!!! It was first class fun!!!"
-Matt
"Good Morning, Nicole - Everything you did turned out great. The seats were great. Access to the air conditioned club lounge was great. Lots of Packers fans in the club lounge and overall at the stadium. The tailgate party at the fancy restaurant in the hotel was fabulous. The servers just kept on bringing out different sliders and desserts. Good thing that I got in a 30-minute run along the river in the morning. So, thank you! You may be speaking with me in November if I can work out getting up to Green Bay for a game. It's been too long since my last time.
One of the best aspects of this weekend was interacting with so many people from Wisconsin and learning their personal stories of things Packers. And we even met a couple from St. Petersburg, Florida (my home county) and were able to tell them about the Varsity Club tavern and Packers bar in Clearwater where Mark Murphy's mother is in attendance -- very nice lady whose retirement home is in Clearwater, which borders my little city of Dunedin. Pre-COVID, I always went to the Varsity when the Packers games weren't televised locally -- lots of Wisconsin natives there, too + they serve brats and sauerkraut during Packers games. I'm glad that you are working for Event USA.
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-- Martin Lawyer, Dunedin, Florida
"Hi Amy-
Just wanted to say thank you for making Jacksonville happen! We had a wonderful time and looking forward to more Packers games with Event USA in the future!
Even though the game was not what we expected- we are packers fans for life-lol!
Go pack go!!"
-Julie Mastrianni
"I want to thank Event USA and in particular Amy Flores for the Jacksonville trip. We have used you before and always were very pleased with the packages you have set up and your service.
My son who lives in Charleston, SC and myself who lives in Minnesota, decided we needed to do a guys trip and decided to go through your company to see the opener in New Orleans. I initially called and talked with Amy about some questions I had and booked our trip. After itinerary and info was emailed to us, it soon became apparent that the trip to New Orleans wouldn’t happen. In steps Amy, wondering if we would be interested in Dallas if the game was moved there and a package was set up. Then finally the move to Jacksonville and continued communication from Amy on our interest. It was getting late at that point and I was wondering if she would be able to pull off setting up a package in Jacksonville. She did it.
We went to Jacksonville and had a great time. The accommodations and the tail gate were fabulous. If only the Packer team we were hoping for had made the trip.
Thank you Event USA and in particular Amy Flores."
-Tom Sohrweide, White Bear Lake, MN
"Thanks for all your help, the great tickets and service, and the chance to help me make one of my son’s dreams come true, seeing the Packers playing at home in Lambeau Field."
-Sam Jones, Sedalia
"Thank you for all your help. I had a great time at the Packer-Raider game opening day. I have already begun telling interested Packer fans in Sacramento about your service. The next time I come to Green Bay for a game, I’ll be sure to ask for your help. God bless you and God bless the Green Bay Packers."
-Frank Chavez, Sacramento
"I just wanted to say that I had such a great time. The whole weekend was so much fun. I enjoyed the Player Autograph Party and the tailgate party was just the best. After coming from a country that loves soccer, it was nice to mix with people who have the same interests as me. Thank you once again, Green Bay is one very special place."
-Beverley Moore, Lancaster
"My accommodations at the Best Western Midway were excellent. I was picked up at the airport and returned promptly. No problems at all. Your representative at the hotel on game day was very pleasant and helpful. The tailgate party was super, great food, great drinks and lots of fun. Obviously, Lambeau Field and the game itself was great. I will continue to use Event USA in the future, and I will definitely tell anyone who I come across to give you a call. One last thing, the hospitality I experienced in Green Bay was incredible. I have traveled to many places, and I don’t think there are more friendly people than the people of Green Bay. Thank you again and see you next year!"
-David Anastas, Worchester
"Thanks so much for the best weekend ever! You not only got us in all the Magazines, TV, WWW pages and even the big screen at Lambeau Field, but Disney World on the side? Nice job – You and your family are top notch – we were on the best tour for the Super Bowl! Seeing the Green Bay Packers win back the Lombardi Trophy was a life long dream of this Packer fan, and you all were so dedicated to the job of taking care of us that, like the Packers, we were a winning team! Keep me on your list."
-William D Lorge, Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly