These are qualities that spring to mind upon meeting Rich Collier.
Collier is an athlete who has not let life’s circumstances define him. His past situations were humble; he worked at Walmart in the produce section after graduating from high school, where he played football. He brought up his GPA while attending Valdosta State University. In 2006, he was recruited by the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he played until 2008. On September 2 of that year, he suffered gun violence in Jacksonville’s Riverside neighborhood. That was the moment when those qualities of perseverance, determination and perspective became crystallized for him.
“I was a very determined person – football was my life, and my focus was on that and where I wanted to go,” said Collier. “I never thought about the Super Bowl – as long as I did my job and everyone else did theirs. I just wanted to focus on being the best player I could be, best offensive tackle I could be.”
After the long recovery process of surgeries to heal from the gunshot wounds, Collier decided to propose to and marry his longtime girlfriend in 2010. Even though he now uses a wheelchair to get from place to place, he was able to actually stand for his wedding vows at his marriage ceremony. He and his wife have twin boys, who are now entering preschool in Jacksonville.
Now, Collier’s circumstances allow him to play competitive professional wheelchair basketball, and to play for the River City Rollers, in conjunction with the Push Beyond Foundation. He travels nationally with the team, and he now represents Jacksonville in the basketball arena, a great segue from his professional football days. His comments about wheelchair basketball and playing with the River City Rollers tell the story:
“I would think to myself, I am just gonna go out there and kick some butt, but the smallest guys could kick MY butt,” He said. “It made me look at it in a different light. This is hard, and you have to train just as hard as in the professional football …. The little things are the ones that count. Just because I am the biggest guy, doesn’t mean that I am the best. I just want to be all around, a team player.”
What does the future hold for Rich Collier?
“Possibilities are endless, we are always going to inspire, and everything is happening at the right time, with the things I am involved in,” he said. “I want to be a great family man and husband. I want to see my boys see me as inspirational. How would my boys receive me as a disabled person? I always want them to see me as their hero. Keep pushing on, that is the motto.”
River City Rollers and the Push Beyond Foundation has the mission to empower and enhance the quality of life for children, adults and veterans affected by physical or emotional disabilities through sports, outreach and community involvement. Information about River City Rollers can be found at rivercityrollers.com.
Interview with Rich Collier of River City Rollers and Push Beyond Foundation
Written by: Ann O’Keeffe Rodgers
Photography by: Lisa Marie Mannino Photography
Perseverance. Determination. Perspective.
