Gerald Collins

Gerald Collins (born February 13, 1971) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Early life Gerald Collins was born on February 13, 1971, in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Roosevelt High School in St. Louis.

College career Collins enrolled at Vanderbilt University to play college football for the Commodores. He redshirted the 1989 season after suffering an injury. He missed most of the 1992 season with a life-threatening staphylococcus infection. Collins graduated from Vanderbilt in May 1994, but was granted a rare sixth-year of eligibility due to his injury history.

Professional career Collins attended the 1995 NFL Combine. On September 26, Collins was placed on injured reserve and spent the remainder of the season there. In 1996, the Collins family appeared on an Oprah Winfrey Show episode about large families.