Jags lineman loses leg

For the first time since Jaguars offensive lineman Richard Collier was shot on September 2, details have finally emerged. Collier was shot 14 times, according to Dr. Andy Kerwin. Five of those bullets hit his urinary bladder and two of them hit his lower spine, rendering him paralyzed from the waist down.

These injuries were life threatening and left him with a blood clot in his left leg, which then had to be amputated above the knee.

“It is with my deepest regret that Collier’s career with the NFL is over” said his agent Jeff Jankovich. “Now Richard has a very difficult journey ahead of him but he is up to the challenge. His spirits are positive and he has a lot of support from his family and friends. His family wanted to keep the situation under wraps so that Richard would be the first to know. Richard is a kind and generous man and now he needs our thoughts and prayers.”

“It’s a great tragedy for a young man to have such a bright future, at the top of the food chain, to have not only his career but his health taken away,” said Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio.

Collier, 26, was a rookie in 2006 and played in eight games since then, starting one in 2007.

Jankovich says that while he initially was devastated by the news that he’ll never play again, his spirits at this point are high.

“He’s talking about owning some businesses, doing some coaching, he wants to do things in the community,” Jankovich said.

The investigation in the shooting is ongoing and the current reward stands at $25,000 for anyone with information that could help lead the police to his shooter. If you think you can help, please call 1-866-845-TIPS (8477).

Micah Warren is the Blast Magazine sports editor

In Football, Injuries, Sports on September 29, 2008 at 16:50

2 Responses to “Jags lineman loses leg”

  1. Bad news for Collier - Off the Record Sports on September 29th, 2008 4:54 pm

    [...] Details have emerged regarding the shooting of Richard Collier and it ain’t good. [...]

  2. mike on September 29th, 2008 9:08 pm

    what are the circumstances of the shooting? where? why? gang related?

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