Green Bay Packers: Ranking the top 30 players in franchise history

29. Nick Collins, Safety, 2005-2011

Nick Collins was on his way to becoming an all-time great safety in Green Bay before retiring due to a neck injury. In some ways, he did became an all-time great. In his final three healthy seasons with the Packers he was named to the Pro Bowl squad each year and was becoming one of the elite players at his position. He was the quintessential ball-hawk for the Packers and helped them to win Super Bowl XLV.

Collins is best remembered for his interception returned for a touchdown in the Super Bowl win over the Steelers, but he was great for years before that play, too. His 21 career interceptions are impressive, but they are especially impressive considering he snagged 17 of them in his final three healthy seasons. He also forced six fumbles, recovered four, and ran one back for a touchdown. For a few years he gave the Packers’ franchise some of the best play it has ever seen at the safety position.

In 2008 he led the NFL in interceptions ran back for touchdowns (3) and interception yardage (295). Collins was one of the leaders on this team and is definitely going to become a Packers Hall of Fame inductee soon. He was given No. 36, which was the number of a former Packers’ safety great LeRoy Butler. He lived up to the number; here’s to hoping the next player to wear 36 in Green Bay does the same.

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