Jaguars tackle Richard Collier critical following shooting
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Richard Collier is in critical condition after being shot early Tuesday morning.
The 26-year-old was shot in a vehicle at about 2:45 a.m. Tuesday while waiting for some acquaintances outside an apartment.
Collier, in his third year with the Jaguars, had surgery at Shands Jacksonville Medical Center for life-threatening injuries.
\"We\'re shocked and deeply saddened by this morning\'s news about Richard Collier,\" the Jaguars said in a statement Tuesday morning. \"We have been informed that Richard has had surgery and he\'s in critical but stable condition. The entire Jaguars family is praying for Richard and his family at this time.\"
A Jacksonville Sheriff\'s Office spokesman said that Collier and former Jaguar Kenneth Pettway had been out clubbing in the San Marco area when they met two females. According to police, the two men followed the women to an apartment with the plans to drop the females\' vehicle off and continue socializing in one vehicle.
While the men were waiting outside the apartment, someone walked up to the Cadillac Escalade and fired off a number of shots into the vehicle, striking Collier, who was behind the wheel.
Pettway, a backup defensive end who was released by the Jaguars on Saturday, was not injured. Authorities said they do not know of a motive for the shooting.
An undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State, the 6-7, 345-pound Collier is entering his third season with Jacksonville. Collier appeared in a eight games - one start - in his first two seasons.
It was the third shooting of an NFL player since January 2007.
Broncos cornerback Darrant Williams was shot and killed following a New Year\'s Eve party in Denver in 2007, and Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor was fatally wounded during a robbery attempt at his Miami home last November.
