Jaguars T Collier still in critical condition
editor1 |Sep 03,2008
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JACKSONVILLE, Florida (Ticker) -- Jacksonville Jaguars offensive
tackle Richard Collier remained in critical condition Wednesday
one day after being shot several times.
The 26-year-old Collier was shot while sitting in a vehicle just
before 3 a.m. Tuesday. Collier and former teammate Kenneth
Pettway were waiting for some acquaintances outside an apartment
at the time of the shooting.
Pettway, who was released by the Jaguars on Saturday, was not
hurt.
"There is really not a lot more that can be added to the story
other than that," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said. "Those are
the facts, it's what we're dealing with. He's in critical
condition. He was a victim of a crime. He's a member of our
family and we're praying for him."
Collier, in his third year with the Jaguars, underwent surgery
at Shands Jacksonville Medical Center for life-threatening
injuries Tuesday morning. Team owner Wayne Weaver said Collier
was in critical but stable condition following the surgery.
According to a report from the Jacksonville Sherriff's Office,
police responded to a report of gunshots being fired at 2:50
a.m.
Collier was found in the front passenger seat and had been shot
repeatedly, police said.
The shooting occurred five days before the team's regular-season
opener against the Tennessee Titans, which Del Rio acknowledged
could affect Jacksonville's preparation.
"We've got to handle it and we've got to move on," Del Rio said.
"When you face adversity, when you deal with situations that
come up, you've got to be able to handle them. ... You've got to
be able to continue on as a football team and that's what we'll
do."
Quarterback David Garrard said the players are handling the
ordeal as a team and want to make sure they play well Sunday for
their stricken teammate.
"Our thoughts and our prayers definitely go out to Richard and
his family," Garrard said. "It is a tough time for everybody
but we want to make sure we continue to prepare, continue to get
better on the field so none of that happens in vain because
Richard was a great guy in the locker room and on the team.
"We want to go out and play well for him. I'm sure if he was
here to say anything to us, it would definitely be that."
A Jacksonville Sheriff's Office spokesman said the two men had
been out clubbing in the San Marco area when they met two
females. According to police, the two men followed the women to
an apartment with the plans to drop the females' vehicle off and
continue socializing in one vehicle.
While the men were waiting outside the apartment, someone walked
up to the Cadillac Escalade and fired off a number of shots into
the vehicle, striking Collier.
Authorities said they do not know of a motive for the shooting.
An undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State, the 6-7,
345-pound Collier is entering his third season with
Jacksonville. Collier appeared in a eight games - one start -
in his first two seasons.
Collier had been arrested in November 2007 for driving under the
influence. Although he was suspended for two games, the team
signed him to a contract extension in May.
It was the third shooting of an NFL player since January 2007.
Broncos cornerback Darrant Williams was shot and killed
following a New Year's Eve party in Denver in 2007, and
Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor was fatally wounded
during a robbery attempt at his Miami home last November.
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