Lance Allan: Sports Glance with Lance
Packers Nick Collins Speaks For First Time
In Neck Brace, Thankful to Be Able to Play With His Kids
When I saw Nick Collins at the Brewers-Diamondbacks game 5 of the NLDS, he wore a Brewers 36 jersey with his name on it.
Now he hopes he can wear one with green and gold on it again, yet he won't know that for months.
Collins spoke for the first time since his injury and subsequent neck surgery, and he wants to thank everybody for being with him during this difficult time.
In a one-on-one interview, I asked Collins what they did during surgery. "Took bulging disks out of my neck, replaced it and fused it back together," the Packers safety said.
But he faces such a murky future. When I asked him if he can't play again, is he complete...Collins didn't hesitate to answer that his playing career, while unknown...is in doubt, and maybe in telling fashion, talked about it in the past tense.
"It's been a great journey. And if push comes to shove and I can't play again, I just wanna thank everybody for being with me. If that was the end for me, it was great...but I hope to play with my teammates once again."
After talking about how enjoyable it was to walk, play with his kids, and attend public events like the Brewers game, you sense he takes nothing for granted. And while you'd love to see 36 on the field next year, his long term future and health is what really matters.
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