View source for Reggie Collier

{{Short description|American football player (born 1961)}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name          = Reggie Collier
| number        = 10, 7
| position      = [[Quarterback]]
| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|1961|5|14}}
| birth_place   = [[Biloxi, Mississippi]], U.S.
| height_ft     = 6
| height_in     = 3
| weight_lb     = 205
| high_school   = [[D'Iberville High School|D'Iberville (MS)]]
| college       = [[Southern Miss Golden Eagles football|Southern Miss]]
| draftyear     = 1983
| draftround    = 6
| draftpick     = 162
| teams         =
* [[Birmingham Stallions]] ({{USFL Year|1983}})
* [[Orlando Renegades|Washington Federals]] ({{USFL Year|1984}})
* [[Orlando Renegades]]  ({{USFL Year|1985}})
* [[Dallas Cowboys]] ({{NFL Year|1986}})
* [[Ottawa Rough Riders]] ({{CFL Year|1987}})
* [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] ({{NFL Year|1987}})
* [[Orlando Predators]] ({{AFL Year|1991}})
* [[Indiana Firebirds|Albany Firebirds]] ({{AFL Year|1993}})
| highlights    =
* 2× Third-team [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[Interception|1981]], [[Interception|1982]])
* 2× All-South Independent (1981, 1982)
* [[Southern Miss Golden Eagles football#Retired numbers|Southern Miss Golden Eagles No. 10]] retired
| statlabel1    = Games played
| statvalue1    = 6
| statlabel2    = [[Touchdown|TD]]-[[Interception|INT]]
| statvalue2    = 3-3
| statlabel3    = Passing yards
| statvalue3    = 206
| statlabel4    = [[Passer rating]]
| statvalue4    = 86.6
| pfr           = CollRe20
| aflstatlabel1 = [[Touchdown|TD]]-[[Interception|INT]]
| aflstatvalue1 = 36-9
| aflstatlabel2 = Passing yards
| aflstatvalue2 = 1,923
| aflstatlabel3 = [[Passer rating]]
| aflstatvalue3 = 83.09
| afl           = 319 
}}

'''Reginald C. Collier''' (born May 14, 1961) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] player who was a [[quarterback]]. Best known as a dynamic [[college football]] star, he had a short-lived professional career in both the [[United States Football League]] (USFL) and [[National Football League]] (NFL). He played [[college football]] for the [[Southern Miss Golden Eagles football|Southern Miss Golden Eagles]].

==Early life==
Collier’s grandparents didn't allow him to play football until his junior year in [[D'Iberville High School]], when he became a starter at [[quarterback]], until breaking his collarbone after playing in three games (all of them wins).

As a senior, he guided his team to a perfect 13-0 record, while also playing [[Safety (American and Canadian football position)|safety]] on defense. He received  MVP honors in the state's high school all-star game. He also practiced [[basketball]].

==College career==
Collier accepted a football scholarship from the [[University of Southern Mississippi]] under head coach [[Bobby Collins (American football coach)|Bobby Collins]], who was using the [[Veer|veer offense]] and promised him that he could play [[quarterback]]. As a freshman, he was a backup behind Dane McDaniel.

He became a starter as a sophomore, leading the team to a 6-0 start, with victories over the [[University of Mississippi]] and [[Mississippi State University]] (in back-to-back weeks) and the first [[Associated Press]] Top 25 ranking in the program history (No. 20 on October 21, 1980). The team beat [[McNeese State University]] 16-14 at the [[Independence Bowl]], for the school's first [[bowl game]] win in history. He tallied 1,268 passing yards, 7 passing [[touchdown]]s, 464 rushing yards and 2 rushing [[touchdown]]s.

As a junior in 1981, he had a season for the ages, when he became the first quarterback in [[NCAA Division I]] history to pass and rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season, posting 81 out of 139 attempts for 1,004 passing yards and had 153 carries for 1,005 rushing yards. He accomplished several noteworthy victories in school history, against [[Mississippi State University]], [[Florida State University]] and tying the [[University of Alabama]] 13-13 at [[Legion Field]] in Birmingham, when he led the offense down the field for a dramatic game-tying field goal. He had a career-high 186 rushing yards against the [[University of Texas at Arlington]]. He finished with a 9-2-1 record, was ninth in the [[Heisman Trophy]] voting and helped the school achieve its highest [[Associated Press]] ranking ever (No. 9).

In 1982, Collins left and Jim Carmody took over the head coaching responsibilities. He changed the offense and the team struggled with a 7-4 record. Still Collier posted 1,265	passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 803 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. He also had a 38-29 historic win against Alabama, ending their 57-game winning streak at [[Bryant–Denny Stadium]].

He finished his college career with 3,662 passing yards, 2,304 rushing yards on 446 carries, 5,977 yards of total offense (school record), 16 passing [[touchdown]]s and 26 rushing [[touchdown]]s.

In 2000, he was inducted into the USM Athletic Hall of Fame and was selected along with [[Brett Favre]], to the Southern Miss Team of the Century.<ref name="southernmiss.cstv.com">{{cite web | url=https://southernmiss.com/news/2008/7/31/Southern_Miss_Announces_Retirement_of_Reggie_Collier_s_No_10_Football_Jersey.aspx |title=Southern Miss Announces Retirement of Reggie Collier's No. 10 Jersey | publisher=southernmiss.com | access-date=February 19, 2023}}</ref> In 2008, his collegiate No. 10 Jersey was retired by Southern Miss and became one of three players in school history to have been given this honor.<ref name="southernmiss.cstv.com"/> In 2008, he also was inducted into the [[Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame]].

==Professional career==

===Birmingham Stallions===
Collier was selected by the [[Birmingham Stallions]] of the [[United States Football League]] in the first round (third overall) of the [[1983 USFL Draft]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=19830113&id=TqQfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KdYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5708,1927114 | title=Collier inks five-year pact with Birmingham Stallions | access-date=February 19, 2023}}</ref> He injured his hip in the season opener and started being platooned with Bob Lane.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=19830511&id=xaQfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LNYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5982,2951168 | title=Move o Lane won't mean shakeup for Birmingham | access-date=February 19, 2023}}</ref> He suffered a season ending knee injury in the tenth game, after registering 5 starts, 604 passing yards, one touchdown, 253 rushing yards and 4 rushing [[touchdown]]s.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19840112&id=f5dPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LAYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3661,6159736 | title=Federals After Stallions' Collier | access-date=February 19, 2023}}</ref>

On January 12, [[1984 USFL season|1984]], the team signed quarterback [[Cliff Stoudt]] and traded Collier to the [[Washington Federals]] in exchange for a number one draft choice (#1 [[Jerry Rice]]) and the rights to [[Center (gridiron football)|center]] [[Joel Hilgenberg]].

===Washington Federals / Orlando Renegades===
In [[1984 USFL season|1984]], he was being platooned with [[Mike Hohensee]] during the pre-season, until he was relegated to the backup position after the opening game of the season.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19840301&id=94U0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=jKUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1142,235078 | title=Federals fire Jauch over dismal record | access-date=February 19, 2023}}</ref>

In [[1985 USFL season|1985]], the team moved to Orlando and was renamed as the [[Orlando Renegades]]. The owner chose not to retain [[Howard Schnellenberger]] and asked [[Lee Corso]] to take over as the head coach. He would name Collier the starter at quarterback in the fifth game of the season, after being limited with a finger injury early in the year. He finished with a 5-13 record, 229 of 427 attempts for 2,578 passing yards, 606 rushing yards, 13 passing [[touchdown]]s, 12 rushing [[touchdown]]s (including 2 runs of 63 and 71 yards) and 16 interceptions. In the last six games, he passed for 8 [[touchdown]]s and 4 interceptions. He had his best passing game as a professional against the [[Tampa Bay Bandits]], making 17 out of 30 passes for 214 yards, 3 [[touchdown]]s and one interception. Against the [[Jacksonville Bulls]], he rushed for 171 yards and 4 [[touchdown]]s, setting pro football single-game rushing records for a [[quarterback]].

In his USFL career, he recorded 358 out of 695 attempts for 4,151 passing yards, 20 passing [[touchdown]]s, 35 interceptions, 155 carries for 1,033 rushing yards, a 6.7 yard per carry average and 17 rushing [[touchdown]]s.

===Dallas Cowboys===
The [[Dallas Cowboys]] of the [[National Football League]], gambling that the [[United States Football League|USFL]] was not going to last, acquired Collier's [[NFL]] rights by selecting him in the sixth round (162nd overall) of the [[1983 NFL draft]], even though he had already signed with the [[Washington Federals]]. On May 23, [[1986 NFL season|1986]], he signed a four-year contract, which was a transaction that was overshadowed by the acquisition of [[running back]] [[Herschel Walker]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1873&dat=19860714&id=R4YfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ps4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=1369,7653291 | title=Reggie Collier Determined For Dallas | access-date=February 19, 2023}}</ref>

Although he was considered as a "raw" player at the time, he was also seen as the prototype of the future [[NFL]] [[quarterback]]. In pre-season he was productive in his appearances, but could not move out of the third-string quarterback role. He was the first [[African American]] [[quarterback]] to make the Cowboys roster.

The team accommodated Collier expecting that he could develop and refine his skills, but it was perceived that he never practiced or prepared diligently enough.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19870925&id=brUqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QmMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4170,6066510 | title=Stelers Notebook | access-date=February 19, 2023}}</ref>

On November 23, down 41-7 against the [[Washington Redskins]], Collier was sent in the fourth quarter with 8 minutes to play, helped the offense score 7 points and ran out of time while looking for a possible second touchdown.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19861124&id=sWRNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lPsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4685,5247929 | title=Redskins totally dominate Cowboys | access-date=February 19, 2023}}</ref> In the season finale against the defending [[Super Bowl]] Champions the [[Chicago Bears]], he became the first [[African American]] quarterback to start in franchise history.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19861217&id=JOBLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UosDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2806,3001844 | title=Cowboys will give Regie Collier a chance | access-date=February 19, 2023}}</ref> He had four turnovers (three came in his first three series) and was replaced with [[Steve Pelluer]] in the third quarter.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19861221&id=RbtdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9F0NAAAAIBAJ&pg=6314,5698002 | title=Bears Put Finishing Toches on Cowboys | access-date=February 19, 2023}}</ref>

Collier played in four games in [[1986 NFL season|1986]], completing 8-15 passes for 96 yards and one touchdown. He was waived on June 17, [[1987 NFL season|1987]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19870618&id=DfcnAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NlYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6024,4033227 | title=Cowboys Waive Richards, Collier | access-date=February 19, 2023}}</ref>

===Pittsburgh Steelers===
After the players went on a strike on the third week of the [[1987 NFL season|1987 season]], those games were canceled (reducing the 16 game season to 15) and the [[NFL]] decided that the games would be played with replacement players. Collier was signed to be a part of the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] replacement team.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19870926&id=_KVdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IV0NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1157,5898135 | title=Collier newest strikebreaker in Steeler camp | access-date=February 19, 2023}}</ref> He played in two games before being released after the strike was over on October 19.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19871020&id=wHBeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qmENAAAAIBAJ&pg=1260,3324252 | title=Few surprises as Steelers purge roster | access-date=February 19, 2023}}</ref>

===Orlando Predators===
In [[1991 AFL season|1991]], Collier was the first ever player signed by the [[Orlando Predators]] franchise of the [[Arena Football League]]. He passed for 1,312 yards, 21 [[touchdown]]s, 5 interceptions (a league low), before being replaced by future AFL Hall of Famer [[Ben Bennett]], after being sacked 24 times (highest in the league). He was waived on April 14, [[1992 AFL season|1992]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1992/04/15/predators-waive-collier-9-others/ | title=Predators Waive Collier, 9 Others | date=15 April 1992 | access-date=February 19, 2023}}</ref>

===Albany Firebirds===
On April 13, [[1993 AFL season|1993]], He signed with the [[Indiana Firebirds|Albany Firebirds]] after being out of football for a year rehabbing a knee injury.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1957&dat=19930414&id=ZWlGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LukMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2452,3498741 | title=Collier gives Firebirds depth, experience at QB | access-date=February 19, 2023}}</ref> On June 29, he was lost for the season with a knee injury.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1957&dat=19930630&id=YllGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NukMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1507,7325930 | title=Collier out for season | access-date=February 19, 2023}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Collier is currently the Coordinator of Athletic Development and Community Relations in the Southern Miss Athletics Department. He is also a member of the Nu Eta chapter of [[Omega Psi Phi]] fraternity.

==See also==
* [[Racial issues faced by black quarterbacks]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[https://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--original-read-option-star-qb-reggie-collier-never-caught-on-in-nfl--but-is-at-peace-with-life-after-conquering-addiction-200300367.html Read-option star QB Reggie Collier missed NFL stardom, but at peace after conquering addiction]
*[https://msfame.com/inductees/reggie-collier/ Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame bio]

{{Southern Miss Golden Eagles quarterback navbox}}
{{Cowboys1983DraftPicks}}
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{{Orlando Predators starting quarterback navbox}}
{{Indiana Firebirds starting quarterback navbox}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Collier, Reggie}}
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Biloxi, Mississippi]]
[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:Southern Miss Golden Eagles football players]]
[[Category:Dallas Cowboys players]]
[[Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players]]
[[Category:Birmingham Stallions players]]
[[Category:Washington Federals/Orlando Renegades players]]
[[Category:Orlando Predators players]]
[[Category:Albany Firebirds players]]
[[Category:NFL replacement players]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]