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Message
Cecil Collins finds happiness
Posted on 9/9/14 at 8:48 pm
Posted on 9/9/14 at 8:48 pm
Just noticed this Sun Sentinel article from August 13, couldn't find it on TD: LINK
He probably needs to be as far away from football as possible, but it wouldn't surprise me if there was something left in the tank.
quote:
Former Dolphin Cecil Collins finds happiness after 13 years in prison
TAMARAC — There come the tears again, welling up in former Miami Dolphins running back Cecil Collins' eyes, a smile turning them back as he lists why he's so happy. There's his marriage to Elena. There's his new job with a Broward electrical company.
There's the freedom he's breathed for 13 months after more than 13 months in prison for creeping into a sleeping Broward woman's apartment back when the future shimmered with fame, way back in 1999 while he was on probation for a similar offense in Louisiana.
...
Sometimes people recognize him and call him the "Cecil The Diesel," just as everyone did back then. But he asks them in a friendly tone to please not call him that. That person doesn't exist anymore, he says. The Diesel is dead.
"I'm just Cecil Collins now," he'll say. "And I'm happy like this."
That's what he wants you to know. He's changed. He's happy. He wishes the young, stupid "Diesel" who lived the carefree life where decisions weren't weighed, career opportunities weren't seized and so much money wasn't turned into alcohol in South Beach clubs was this smart and happy.
He'd like to use "The Diesel" as a cautionary tale in talks with boys and girls, and especially young athletes who covet the fame and fortune but aren't ready for its fellow traveler called temptation.
He'd tell them to work harder, listen to their parents, how success is often harder to overcome than failure and also that some so-called friends are, "like weeds you should cut away,'' he says.
But what he'd also say is prison was a blessing for him.
...
He met Elena while she was visiting a friend at his prison and married her in 2006 wearing his prison-blue uniform. He nearly died in 2011 when a chicken bone he ate ruptured his esophagus.
...
For those wondering if Collins' 13 years in prison was too harsh for the crime, understand he doesn't allow his mind to bend that way. It would do him no good. Besides, he says, the final year of his sentence put the final changes in him.
"My grandmother died and then my cousin, who was like a brother to me, died in a motorcycle accident,'' he said. "I was close with God before that. But that final year was important for me to pull even closer."
He has plans. He starts school next month to become a licensed electrician. Elena and he are planning a wedding ceremony where he will wear a tuxedo — "maybe on the beach,'' he says.
He also talks, half-seriously, of playing football at his age, even mentioning a Canadian Football League team invited him to a tryout last summer.
"I've still got the speed,'' he says.
But can he still take a hit?
"That's the question,'' he says, laughing. "I don't know about that."
...
He probably needs to be as far away from football as possible, but it wouldn't surprise me if there was something left in the tank.
This post was edited on 9/9/14 at 8:50 pm
Posted on 9/9/14 at 8:56 pm to maine82
I am not clear on the article, does he have any eliglbility left?
Posted on 9/9/14 at 8:57 pm to maine82
so you're saying there's a chance
Posted on 9/9/14 at 8:58 pm to Buck Dancer
No he played football for the Dolphins in '99, he ceded his eligibility. Conceivably he could play in a professional league, although I highly doubt it would happen.
Posted on 9/9/14 at 8:58 pm to Buck Dancer
I heard he has a facebook account ......I still think this guy is a few beers short of a six pack. Sure he could run the football, but obviously his elevator never quite made it up to the top floor. Hoping he stays out of trouble...
Posted on 9/9/14 at 8:59 pm to maine82
The point is moot.
He moved to Germany.
He moved to Germany.
Posted on 9/9/14 at 9:02 pm to maine82
sounds like he at least has a chance of getting himself on the right track...damn sure wouldn't want him living around any of my family members, though....
Posted on 9/9/14 at 9:11 pm to maine82
Maine82, my post was sarcastic. I am very aware that he has no college eligibility left.
Posted on 9/9/14 at 9:15 pm to Buck Dancer
For a few games at LSU, he looked better than any running back in COLLEGE FOOTBALL HISTORY. The dude was scary fast and could run over, around or thru you. I hope he really does get his life together.
Posted on 9/9/14 at 9:33 pm to maine82
quote:
He nearly died in 2011 when a chicken bone he ate ruptured his esophagus.
People eat chicken bones? I'm confused.
Posted on 9/9/14 at 9:37 pm to maine82
Glad to hear Cecil is getting his life together.
Posted on 9/9/14 at 9:53 pm to maine82
Best running back in have watched in my 67 years, hope he does well
Posted on 9/9/14 at 10:00 pm to namvet6566
quote:
Best running back in have watched in my 67 years, hope he does well
I don't have as much viewing experience as you but I agree. Hill reminded me of him the most..so far.
Posted on 9/9/14 at 10:09 pm to maine82
Wish him the best..... Damn Cecil you were freakn good brah would of gotten some kind of ship with him? Mayb?
Posted on 9/9/14 at 10:10 pm to maine82
Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. Good luck Cecil.
Posted on 9/9/14 at 10:15 pm to maine82
I always question if a sexual perv truly rehabs. The stats say no.
Posted on 9/9/14 at 10:16 pm to LSUBCILUVTHEM
I believe in redemption. I wish him the best. Biggest waste of talent in the history of LSU football. And he had a lot of talent to waste.
Posted on 9/9/14 at 10:27 pm to maine82
quote:
He nearly died in 2011 when a chicken bone he ate ruptured his esophagus
He ate the bones! He ate the bones!
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