Alex Collins, the former NFL running back who played for the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens, died in a motorcycle accident in South Florida on Sunday, authorities said.
Mr. Collins, 28, was driving a 2004 Suzuki GSX-R600K motorcycle when he collided with a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban SUV in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., the Broward County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Monday.
The driver of the SUV turned left when Mr. Collins is the rear passenger side. The impact of the crash was so strong, it sent Mr. Collins through the rear passenger side window, the statement said.
Mr. Collins was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said, adding that the driver of the SUV, who has not been named, stayed nearby and cooperated with the investigation.
Mr Collins’ family confirmed the death on Monday in a statement by the Seahawks, saying he was loved by his family and friends. “All who really knew her could attest to her drive, determination and larger-than-life personality,” the statement said. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
John Schneider, the executive vice president and general manager of the Seahawks, said in a statement that the smile and dance skills of Mr. Collins will be missed. “Alex lights up a room and our whole building loves him,” Mr. Schneider said. “He enjoyed life and attacked it on the football field. He was one of the most productive runners in SEC history.
Mr. often performed Collins a short Riverdance-style routine after scoring touchdowns. It became his signature move and became a popular talking point in interviews. He said to a 2018 interview on the talk show “Pickler and Ben” that he got Irish dancing through his high school football coach’s family. He credits dance for helping him on the field. “It definitely made me more explosive,” he said. “I want to give all the credit to Irish dancing because I just have to be on my toes the whole time, bouncing around, it’s exhausting.”
Mr. Collins was a 2016 fifth-round pick for the Seahawks out of Arkansas.
He played three seasons with the Seahawks and two for the Ravens, making 483 carries for 1,997 yards and 18 touchdowns, according to the NFL Arguably, his best year in the league was in 2017 for the Ravens, where he had 973 yards and six touchdowns.
After graduating from the NFL in 2021, Mr. Collins for the Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League this past spring. His time there ended when he was placed on the injured reserve list.
