Ryan Collins
Ryan Albert Collins is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League, the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe, and the New York/New Jersey Hitmen of the XFL. He played college football for the St. Thomas Tommies.
Early life
Collins was born November 1, 1975, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Albert and Barbara Collins. He attended Robbinsdale Cooper High School, where he played football, baseball, basketball, and track.College career
Collins attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he majored in communications with a minor in business. He played for the St. Thomas Tommies football and basketball teams.In football, Collins was selected to the All-MIAC team, the AFCA Division III All-America team, and was among 36 seniors to play in the 1997 Aztec Bowl.
Professional career
Minnesota Vikings
Collins signed with the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent on May 4, 1998. The team waived him on August 30, 1998, but signed him to the practice squad a day later, where he remained for the rest of the 1998 season. His contract expired on January 25, 1999.Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns signed Collins as a free agent on February 22, 1999. Late in the 1999 preseason, Collins suffered a shoulder injury that left him on the inactive list for the first 3 weeks of the season. He was cut by the Browns on September 27, 1999.Baltimore Ravens
On October 12, 1999, Collins was signed to the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad. On December 3, amid a series of injuries to the Ravens' tight ends, he was activated off the practice squad to play in four games, starting three.On December 26, 1999, Collins made three receptions for 41 yards in a 22–0 win over the Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]. This was the Ravens' first shutout win in franchise history. However, during the third quarter of the game, Collins fractured his left ankle and was removed from the game. He was placed on injured reserve following the game.
He was released by the Ravens on August 28, 2000.