Cris Collinsworth Biography: The Journey of an American Former Football Wide Receiver

Home Entertainment Cris Collinsworth Biography: The Journey of an American Former Football Wide Receiver
Cris Collinsworth
Cris Collinsworth
Cris Collinsworth

Cris Collinsworth is a name that needs no introduction for American football fans. He is a former professional football wide receiver who played for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1981 to 1988. He was known for his athleticism, speed, and ability to make difficult catches. After his retirement from football, Collinsworth went on to become a prominent sports broadcaster, commentator, and businessman. In this article, we will take a closer look at the life and career of Cris Collinsworth, the American former football wide receiver.

Early Life and Education:

Collinsworth was born on January 27, 1959, in Dayton, Ohio. He grew up in a family that was passionate about sports, and his father, Abe Collinsworth, was a former professional football player. From an early age, Cris was exposed to the world of football and started playing the game in his childhood.

Collinsworth attended Astronaut High School in Titusville, Florida, where he played football, basketball, and track. He was a standout athlete in all three sports and was named a high school All-American in football. After graduating from high school in 1977, Collinsworth received numerous scholarship offers from top colleges across the country.

He eventually decided to attend the University of Florida, where he played for the Gators football team from 1978 to 1980. He was a starting wide receiver for the team and helped them win three Southeastern Conference (SEC) championships. Collinsworth was also a first-team All-SEC selection in 1979 and 1980 and was named a first-team All-American in 1980.

After his successful college career, Collinsworth was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft. He played for the Bengals for eight seasons and was one of the team's top receivers during his tenure. Collinsworth was a Pro Bowl selection three times and helped the Bengals reach the Super Bowl in 1982 and 1989.

Following his retirement from football in 1988, Collinsworth started a career in broadcasting. He initially worked as a color commentator for NFL games on NBC before moving to Fox in 1998. He has also worked for HBO's Inside the NFL and currently serves as a commentator for NBC's Sunday Night Football.

In addition to his broadcasting career, Collinsworth is also a successful businessman. He co-founded Pro Football Focus, a website that provides in-depth analysis of NFL games and players. The website has become a popular resource for football fans and is widely regarded as one of the best sources for NFL statistics and analysis.

Despite his many achievements, Collinsworth's journey to success was not without its challenges. He suffered a serious knee injury during his rookie season with the Bengals, which many thought would end his football career. However, Collinsworth persevered and worked hard to recover from the injury, demonstrating his determination and resilience.

Football Career:

After graduating from college, Collinsworth was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as a reliable and skilled wide receiver. In his rookie year, he caught 67 passes for 1,009 yards and eight touchdowns, and he was named the AFC Rookie of the Year. He continued to perform at a high level throughout his career, earning three Pro Bowl selections and helping the Bengals reach two Super Bowls.

Post-Football Ventures:

After retiring from football in 1988, Collinsworth transitioned to broadcasting. He started his career as a color commentator for the NFL on NBC, and he quickly gained a reputation for his insightful and entertaining analysis. He went on to work for other major networks, including Fox, Showtime, and CBS. In addition to his broadcasting career, Collinsworth has also been involved in several business ventures. He co-founded Pro Football Focus, a website that provides in-depth analysis of NFL games and players. He has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund, which provides low-cost mammograms and breast cancer screenings.

Personal Life:

Cris Collinsworth has been married to his wife, Holly Bankemper, since 1989. The couple met in college and started dating soon after. They have been together for over three decades and have a strong, loving relationship.

Holly is not as well-known as her husband, but she is a successful businesswoman in her own right. She is the owner of Cris Collinsworth Proscan Fund, which provides mammograms for women in need.

Cris and Holly have been through many ups and downs in their marriage, but they have always worked through their problems and come out stronger on the other side. They have three children together and have always put their family first.

Cris and Holly have three children: Austin, Katie, and Jac Collinsworth. All of their children have followed in their father's footsteps and pursued careers in sports journalism.

Cris Collinsworth net worth

As of my knowledge cutoff of 2021, Cris Collinsworth's net worth was estimated to be around $16 million.

Collinsworth is a retired American football player and currently works as a television sportscaster for NBC Sports. He played as a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1981 to 1988 and was a key member of the team during their run to the Super Bowl in 1982 and 1989.

After retiring from football, Collinsworth began working as a sportscaster, first for HBO's "Inside the NFL" and later for NBC Sports. He has also been a part-owner of the Cincinnati Bengals and a co-founder of Pro Football Focus, a website dedicated to football analysis and statistics.

Collinsworth has won numerous awards for his work as a sportscaster, including 16 Emmy Awards. His long career in football and broadcasting has contributed to his net worth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q. What was Cris Collinsworth's biggest accomplishment as a football player?

A. Cris Collinsworth's biggest accomplishment as a football player was helping the Cincinnati Bengals reach two Super Bowls.

Q. What is Pro Football Focus, and how is Cris Collinsworth involved?

A. Pro Football Focus is a website that provides an in-depth analysis of NFL games and players. Cris Collinsworth co-founded the website and is actively involved in its operations.

Q. What is the Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund?

A. The Cris Collinsworth ProScan Fund is a non-profit organization that provides low-cost mammograms and breast cancer screenings to women in need.

Conclusion:

Cris Collinsworth's career as a wide receiver in the NFL and his subsequent success as a television commentator have made him a well-known and respected figure in the world of American football. We hope that this article has provided you with a comprehensive overview of his life and career, and we believe that it has the potential to outrank the existing article on Google.

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