Gary Collins (American football)
Collins at Maryland in 1961
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| No. 86 | |||
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| Position: | Wide receiver / Punter | ||
| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth: | August 20, 1940 | ||
| Place of birth: | Williamstown, Pennsylvania | ||
| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||
| Weight: | 215 lb (98 kg) | ||
| Career information | |||
| College: | Maryland | ||
| NFL Draft: | 1962 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4 | ||
| Career history | |||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||
| Player stats at NFL.com |
Gary James Collins (born August 20, 1940) is a retired American football end and punter who played for the Cleveland Browns from 1962 to 1971.
Born in Williamstown, Pennsylvania, Collins attended Williamstown High School and was recruited by the University of Maryland. During his three seasons (1959–61) with the Terrapins, he established a number of school records, and left his mark on the Atlantic Coast Conference record book as well. In 1961, he finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy balloting.
The Browns chose Collins with the fourth draft pick in the 1962 NFL Draft and immediately made him the starting punter, while also using him as a reserve for veteran receiver Ray Renfro. In 1963, he moved into the starting lineup and led the team with 43 receptions and teamed with quarterback Frank Ryan to pace the league with 13 touchdowns catches. The latter mark broke a team record of nine, established by Dante Lavelli in 1947.
The following year, rookie Paul Warfield became Ryan's top receiver, but Collins developed a knack for coming through in the clutch. The first instance came in the season's second game, when he caught a fourth-down pass from Ryan to set up a go-ahead touchdown against the St. Louis Cardinals. Saving the best for last, Collins sparkled in the 1964 NFL championship game, when he was on the receiving end of three touchdown passes from Ryan and won the game's Most Valuable Player award in the 27-0 upset over the Baltimore Colts.
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