Cris Collinsworth is synonymous with the NFL like very few have ever been in American history. The television sportscaster, star pro football player, star college football player, website owner, and lawyer, has become an actual part of football, and American culture.
position switched from quarterback to wide receiver his sophomore year of college, and he would become a great player, becoming a first team All-SEC selection three times, and a first team Academic All-American. Cris was named as an MVP of the ‘1980 Tangerine Bowl’. He was admitted into the ‘Student Hall of Fame’ for the ‘University of Florida’ in 1981. He graduated college that same year, with a BA degree in accounting.After his college career ended, Cris was drafted by the Cincinnati
Bengals in the second round (thirty-seventh pick overall) of the 1981 NFL Draft. At six feet, five inches in height, Collinsworth often created mismatches against much smaller cornerbacks. In addition to his height advantage, Collinsworth was a legitimate deep threat due to his speed. During his eight year career with the Bengals, he was named to the Pro Bowl three times, and surpassed 1,000 receiving yards four times. He also played in Super Bowl XVI. In 1985, Colllinsworth signed with the Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League, but the contract was voided when he failed the physical due to a bad ankle. He returned to the Bengals and played for them until the end o the 1988 season. During his eight year career with the Bengals, he was named to the Pro Bowl three times, and surpassed 1,000 receiving yards four times. He also played in Super Bowl XVI.
