Tony Collins

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Anthony Collins (born May 27, 1959 in Sanford, Florida), is a former professional football running back in the National Football League during the 1980s. A speedy and powerful runner, Collins first garnered notoriety in high school as a starter on the 1976 New York State Champion Penn Yan Academy Mustangs. He attended East Carolina University and was selected in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1983 and he played in Super Bowl XX as a member of the Patriots. His final year was in 1990 with the Miami Dolphins. His NFL career was shortened by drug use. In 1991, Collins joined the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League. On July 9, 1991, Collins drove his car into a lake in Orlando, Fla., in a suicide attempt. Collins, 32 years old, was treated at a hospital and released about an hour later. He fully recovered and returned to the Predators later in the Arena Football season. In 1992 Collins continued his arena football career with the Cincinnati Rockers and scored 9 touchdowns. In 1993 Collins played his last season of arena football with the Miami Hooters.

Collins finished his NFL career with 4,647 rushing yards, 261 receptions for 2,356 yards, and 44 touchdowns in 103 games.

Currently, Collins is educating high school athletes and families across the country on the college recruiting process as an educational speaker for the National Collegiate Scouting Association.

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