Former Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens tight end Alex Collins died Sunday night at the age of 28 in a motorcycle accident in South Florida, according to media reports.
Collins was a fifth-round pick of the Seahawks in 2016 and was widely admired by his fans for his love of Irish dancing and incorporating it into their touchdown celebrations.
Collins’ Suzuki motorcycle collided with a Chevrolet SUV Sunday night, killing Collins.
“At some point, the driver of the Chevrolet began to turn left to travel southbound on Northwest 33rd Avenue. As the car crossed the eastbound lanes, the motorcycle struck the rear passenger of the SUV. “The impact caused the motorcyclist to enter the rear passenger side window of the Chevrolet and come to rest inside the car. The collision also caused the Chevrolet to spin clockwise before finally coming to rest,” investigators said.
“Absolutely heartbroken,” a tweet from the Seahawks read. “Prayers are with the Collins family.”
Absolutely heartbroken.
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) August 15, 2023
Prayers are with the Collins family. pic.twitter.com/ufOLkyT9f6
Collins’ family released a statement through the Seahawks that read: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Alex Collins this morning. Alex is with his family and friends. Loved by fans all over the world.
A statement from the Collins family. pic.twitter.com/XWteHpgM3r
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) August 15, 2023
Burial arrangements will be released later, the statement said.
Several of Collins’ former Seattle teammates also reacted on social media as the news broke Monday afternoon.
“Life is so crazy man,” quarterback Geno Smith tweeted. “Fly high my boy until we meet again. All the way to AK.
Life so crazy man.
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) August 15, 2023
Fly high my boy until we meet again 🕊️
AK ALL THE WAY 🙏 https://t.co/n0dDnWxjzF
Running back Rashad Penny’s teammate tweeted: “AK, my heart is broken.”
AK, I’m heartbroken 💔 https://t.co/vPRo4kbRCU
— Rashaad Penny (@pennyhendrixx) August 15, 2023
Collins’ agent, Kelli Masters, also acknowledged his death on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating: “As many of you have now heard, Alex Collins passed away this morning. My heart is broken, and I am just at a loss. Alex you were so loved by so many. You impacted lives with your joy and positive, caring spirit and that big smile. I was so honored to be your agent.”
As many of you have now heard, Alex Collins (@Budda03 ) passed away this morning.
— Kelli Masters Mgmt (@KMMsports) August 15, 2023
My heart is broken, and I am just at a loss. Alex you were so loved by so many. You impacted lives with your joy and positive, caring spirit…and that big smile. I was so honored to be your agent pic.twitter.com/8GNMiVqbO5
John Schneider, Seahawks General Manager said, “Alex’s infectious smile and classic river dance skills will be forever remembered. Alex would light up a room and was beloved by our entire building. He enjoyed life. And attacked him on the football field.
Collins had 125 rushing yards in 11 games as a rookie for the Seahawks in 2016 before being cut off the 53-man roster the following year. Collins then signed with the Ravens, where he played for two seasons, JEE News reported.
The third running back in SEC history to open his career with three seasons of over 1,000 yards, Collins was a powerhouse at Arkansas and had his best NFL season with 973 yards in 2017 with the Ravens.
Collins returned to the Seahawks in 2020 and played three games that season before playing 11 more games with Seattle in 2021 after sitting out the 2019 season.
Collins was waived by the Ravens in March 2019 after being detained following an early-morning car accident in Owings Mills, Maryland. He eventually entered a guilty plea to two counts of possession of a pistol and marijuana, and was given probation, a $200 fine. . The charges were dismissed three years later.
Collins, a native of Fort Lauderdale, left Arkansas after the 2015 season as the active leader in SEC career rushing yards with 3,703 yards.
Collins was selected as the 171st overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He quickly won fans with stories of learning Irish dancing to keep in shape for the draft, earning him the nickname “Sweetfoot”.
