JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Richard Collier was shot and critically wounded outside an apartment building early Tuesday as he and a former teammate waited for two women they had met at a nightclub, police said.
Collier, 26, and former Jaguars defensive end Kenneth Pettway were waiting in a Cadillac Escalade when a gunman fired into the vehicle, said Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office spokesman Ken Jefferson. Collier was shot several times, but it wasn’t clear where he was hit.
Collier was in critical condition at Shands Jacksonville Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said early Tuesday. Later, spokesman Chris Turner said the hospital was no longer giving updates on Collier’s condition. Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said Collier’s family had requested privacy.
Several Jaguars, including running back Maurice Jones-Drew, offensive tackle Khalif Barnes and linebackers Mike Peterson and Clint Ingram, gathered at the hospital. Others convened at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.
“The guys are in shock,” Pro Bowl running back Fred Taylor said. “You see this kind of thing happen all the time on TV, but you never expect it in your own backyard. He’s a good dude. I just pray for him and his family and wish the best for them. I’m sure he’ll pull through.”
Del Rio said the entire organization paused Tuesday, taking a break from game planning for the season opener at Tennessee and focusing on what he called “a very unfortunate incident, really, really a shame.”
“Right now, he’s battling for his life,” Del Rio said on his weekly radio show Tuesday night. “All we can do right now is pray for healing. We have no control over that situation other than saying some prayers.”
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BRONCOS: Denver traded versatile defensive back Domonique Foxworth to the Atlanta Falcons for a conditional seventh-round draft choice in 2009. The Falcons said the draft pick could be higher, based upon Foxworth’s playing time. Foxworth, a fourth-year pro, became expendable when the Broncos claimed cornerback Calvin Lowry off waivers from the Tennessee Titans this week.
NFL: A stirring mix of laughter and tears filled the concert hall of the Kennedy Center on Tuesday as family, teammates and colleagues celebrated the life of Hall of Fame lineman and longtime NFL union head Gene Upshaw.
“He was my friend. He was my brother. I will never forget him,” said Art Shell, who played alongside Upshaw on the Oakland Raiders offensive line for more than a decade. “Uppy, I’ll miss you.”
About 1,000 people gathered for the three-hour service, which featured the strong, impressive voices of the Metropolitan Baptist Church choir and speakers who recited hilarious anecdotes and other fond memories about the man whose toughness on the football field was matched only by his determination at the negotiating table as the executive director of the NFL Players Association for 25 years.
Upshaw died Aug. 20 of pancreatic cancer, which had been diagnosed only days earlier. Very few people knew he was sick, and the suddenness of his departure at age 63 was a shock to the football world.
LIONS: Rudi Johnson, who was waived by the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, officially signed with Detroit. Johnson will join rookie Kevin Smith as the featured backs in Detroit’s new run-oriented offense.
PACKERS: Green Bay center Scott Wells had a setback with his injured lower back after returning to practice Monday, putting his availability in doubt for the season opener against Minnesota. Since the end of the Packers’ offseason practice program, Wells has been dealing with what has been described as a “trunk” injury involving his lower back muscles, limiting his availability in training camp practices and preseason games.
SAINTS: New Orleans is returning to the Superdome for its NFL season-opener Sunday. Forced to flee to Indianapolis ahead of Hurricane Gustav, the Saints will be able to open their season as scheduled against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
JAGUARS: Running back Fred Taylor was ordered out of his car at gunpoint, patted down and handcuffed while a K-9 unit searched his vehicle for drugs outside a Miami Beach nightclub over the weekend, according to a police report released. Taylor yelled at officers repeatedly and was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, after they advised him three times to quiet down, according to Miami Beach Police.
“As officers began to check vehicle for weapons, defendant became vocal again and attempted to (incite) the crowd of bystanders,” the report said. “Defendant really became vocal when drug dog checked for narcotics.
“He was advised to quiet down … for a third time. When defendant did not and continued his loud behavior, he was arrested.”
BUCCANEERS: Tampa Bay traded backup guard Dan Buenning to the Chicago Bears for an undisclosed draft pick, then replaced the fourth-year pro by acquiring center-guard Sean Mahan from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Buenning was a fourth-round draft pick in 2005 and started 23 of 25 games he played in three seasons with Tampa Bay. Mahan, who started 16 games at center for the Steelers in 2007, was a fifth-round pick of the Bucs in 2003. He appeared in 57 games, including 36 starts, for Tampa Bay from 2003-2006. COWBOYS: Dallas released cornerback Evan Oglesby, a move that clears a spot on the 53-man roster that could be used to re-sign safety Keith Davis. Oglesby played eight games for the Cowboys last season, recording two tackles on defense and three on special teams.
RAIDERS: Oakland released defensive tackle William Joseph to create room on the roster for receiver Ashley Lelie. Lelie officially signed his one-year contract, forcing the Raiders to create a roster spot for him. They did it by cutting ties with Joseph, who made little impact after signing as a free agent in the offseason.
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