Ravens teammates remember Alex Collins after RB's death: 'Tell your people you love them'
Alex Collins died Sunday while riding a motorcycle in Florida. The former NFL running back, second on the Arkansas Razorbacks' all-time rushing list, was 28.
His two years with the Baltimore Ravens, 2017 and 2018, were the best of his professional career. He rushed for a career-high 973 yards in 2017 with six touchdowns and scored eight times the following year.
He also left a mark on those he crossed paths with.
Cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who also joined the Ravens in 2017, will remember the laughs.
Head coach John Harbaugh will remember the dancing.
And Mark Andrews, who was a rookie in 2018, will remember Collins' bright spirit.
"Someone that was always happy, having fun," Andrews said. "Great guy to have in the locker room, and deeply saddened by what happened. I’m feeling for him and his family, and just praying for him.”
For Humphrey, the tragic news was a dose of reality.
"Life is really real," Humphrey, 27, said.
He added: "(You) never think about a guy that was just in the league, playing with the guy, that life could end so soon."
Humphrey called Collins "a funny teammate" who made everyone laugh. But Collins' journey stands out as well.
One of Humphrey's first memories of Collins was the two of them running down the field on scout team kickoff shortly upon their arrival to minicamp.
"He was on the practice squad," Humphrey said.
Fast forward a few months, and Collins was knocking on the door of a 1,000-yard campaign.
"I’m sure it was a surreal feeling for him, but also it was also: you really can start low and get where you want to be," Humphrey said.
Collins was taken by the Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2016 draft before being released the next year. Two days later, the Ravens assigned him to the practice squad.
"A lot of ups and downs," Humphrey said, "but it can happen."
Like his teammates, quarterback Lamar Jackson looked back on his time with Collins – who he called "AC" during his rookie season – fondly.
"We were always chatting and playing around and stuff like that in the locker room," said Jackson, who grew up near Collins in Broward County, Florida. "Great energy, a great guy to be around. Just sorry for the loss, and especially to his family, because he was a great guy.”
Every day on the practice field, Harbaugh said, he brought "great energy." He wasn't afraid to bust a move, either.
"And we loved having him here," Harbaugh said.
For Humphrey, Collins' death prompted him to offer a message.
"I just want to encourage everyone – whoever's listening – just tell your people that you love them," he said, "because you truly just never know."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ravens players remember Alex Collins days after running back's death
