Richard Collier was a Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman for two years until 14 bullets cut him down in a Sept. 2, 2008 ambush in Riverside. Paralyzed from the shooting, doctors had to amputate the former Valdosta State University football player’s left leg below the knee due to a blood clot. On Dec. 17, 2009, Tyrone Hartsfield was sentenced to life in prison for Collier’s attempted murder.
When Collier heard of the former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith’s Saturday shooting death, he called it a “tragic event.” He said he didn’t know Smith, but they had mutual friends.