Alex Collins’ death is second for Arkansas Razorbacks and Baltimore Ravens in less than two months following Ryan Mallett’s drowning in June.
Alex Collins’ tragic death is the second time the Arkansas Razorbacks and Baltimore Ravens have mourned a former player this summer, following the June death of Ryan Mallett.
Collins was announced as dead at 28 years old by the Ravens on Monday night, with it later emerging he had died in a motorcycle accident.
The Fort Lauderdale, Florida native’s passing follows the June 27 drowning of Mallett, which came as he was vacationing in Destin, Florida earlier this summer.
According to Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office investigators, Mallett ‘began struggling while attempting to swim to a second sandbar about 150 feet offshore of the beach near Gulf Shores Drive in Destin.’
While it was initially speculated that the 35-year-old had been caught up in a riptide, Destin Beach Safety said in a statement that there were no riptides present in the area around where Mallett was found, calling his death a ‘tragic accident.’
Collins starred at Arkansas from 2013-15 before being drafted by the Seattle Seahawks
As for Collins, who began and finished his NFL career with the Seahawks, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office said he crashed into the rear passenger side of a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban SUV on Sunday night and went through the window, coming to rest inside the car.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Collins starred for the Razorbacks in college – recording the third-highest single-season rushing total in school history – from 2013-15 before spending 2017-18 with the Ravens. The running back famously converted a 4th-and-25 in college vs. Ole Miss to help his team win in overtime.
Mallett was at Arkansas from 2008-10 and was with Baltimore from 2015-17 as a backup.
The Ravens said in a statement on Monday night: ‘With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of Alex Collins. Always quick to greet everyone with a smile, he was a genuinely kind person who carried a special joy and passion wherever he went.
‘May Alex always be remembered for the light and love he brought to so many people in his life.’
The Razorbacks said: ‘We are so saddened by the sudden and tragic passing of Alex Collins. He was a legendary Razorback and an even better person.
‘His love for the Razorbacks and desire to be a Hog was undeniable. We will miss him greatly. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.’
Collins (left) scored 19 touchdowns across his career in the NFL with Ravens and Seahawks
Sadly, this past year has been one full of loss for both the Ravens and Razorbacks – beyond Collins and Mallett.
Former Arkansas and NFL defensive end Chris Smith died at 31 in April of an unknown cause, while Dion Stutts, an 18-year-old Razorbacks recruit, died in June in an ATV crash.
Additionally, former Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson died in June 2022 at the age of 26 from the combined effects of fentanyl and cocaine, officials said.
And Baltimore Super Bowl winner Tony Siragusa died that same week – reportedly in his sleep – at the age of 55.
