Alex Collins Obituary, Death Cause: Former NFL and USFL Running Back Alex Collins Dies at 28

Alex Collins, who played as a running back for the Seattle Seahawks and the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL, and the Memphis Showboats in the USFL, passed away on Sunday night after a motorcycle accident in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida. He was 28 years old.

The accident details

The Broward County Sheriff’s Office reported that the accident happened around 10:20 p.m. on West Oakland Park Boulevard. Collins was riding a motorcycle and hit the back passenger side of an SUV that was making a left turn. Collins was ejected through the window of the SUV and died at the scene. The driver of the SUV, a 59-year-old woman, was not hurt. The accident is being investigated.

The football career

Alex Collins was a standout running back at Arkansas, where he ran for more than 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons from 2013 to 2015. He is second in school history with 3,703 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns. He was part of one of the most unforgettable plays in recent SEC history in 2015 when he picked up a lateral pass from Hunter Henry on fourth-and-25 in overtime and ran for a first down against Ole Miss. Arkansas eventually won the game 53-52.

Alex Collins was drafted by the Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He played one season in Seattle, running for 125 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries. He was waived by the Seahawks in 2017 and claimed by the Ravens, where he had his best season as a pro. He led Baltimore with 973 yards and six touchdowns on 212 carries, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Alex Collins also showed his personality by celebrating his touchdowns with an Irish dance that he learned from his high school coach’s daughter.

In 2018, Collins struggled with injuries and fumbles, finishing with 411 yards and seven touchdowns on 114 carries. He was placed on injured reserve in December with a foot injury and released by the Ravens in March 2019 after he was arrested on gun and drug charges. He pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges and received probation.

Alex Collins returned to the Seahawks in 2020 and played in three games, running for 77 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. He was waived by Seattle in August 2021 and signed with the Memphis Showboats of the USFL, a spring football league that started this year. He played in three games for the Showboats, running for 98 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.

The tributes

Collins’ death shocked and saddened many people who knew him or followed his career. His family released a statement on Monday night, saying:

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Alex Collins this morning. Alex was loved by his family and friends as well as supporters from all around the world. All who truly know him can attest to his drive, determination, and larger-than-life personality. We kindly request your thoughts and prayers for our family during this difficult time.

The Seahawks also issued a statement, saying:

Absolutely heartbroken. Prayers are with the Collins family.

The Ravens expressed their condolences as well, saying:

We mourn the passing of Alex Collins with heavy hearts. He was always quick to greet everyone with a smile, he was a genuinely kind person who carried a special joy and passion wherever he went. He was also a smart player who ran with unlimited determination, and he contributed to a lot of our success during his time in Baltimore.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh added:

Alex was a joy to be around and someone whose light shined brightly. I’ll always remember him for being a great teammate who had an uplifting spirit that impacted everyone he encountered. He was also a smart player who ran with unlimited determination, and he contributed to a lot of our success during his time in Baltimore.

Arkansas also paid tribute to Collins, saying:

We are so saddened by the sudden and tragic passing of Alex Collins. He was a legendary Razorback and an even better person. His love for the Razorbacks and desire to be a Hog was undeniable. We will miss him greatly.

Many former teammates, coaches, friends, fans, and media members also shared their memories and condolences on social media.

Some Random Trivia

• He was born on August 26, 1994, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
• He attended South Plantation High School, where he was a four-star recruit and the No.1 running back in Florida.
• Alex Collins chose Arkansas over Miami, Florida State, and Wisconsin, despite his mother’s objections and attempts to prevent him from signing his letter of intent.
• He was the first freshman in SEC history to run for over 1,000 yards in three consecutive games.
• He was the SEC Freshman of the Year and a two-time All-SEC selection.
• Alex declared for the NFL draft after his junior season and was selected by the Seahawks in the fifth round (171st overall) in 2016.
• He was waived by the Seahawks in September 2017 and claimed by the Ravens, where he had his breakout season.
• He was released by the Ravens in March 2019 after being arrested on gun and drug charges. He pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges and received probation.
• Alex Collins returned to the Seahawks in November 2020 and played in three games. He was waived by Seattle in August 2021 and signed with the Memphis Showboats of the USFL.
• He died on August 15, 2023, after being involved in a motorcycle accident in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida. He was 28 years old.

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