During his time at Florida, Collinsworth caught 120 passes for 1,937 yards and 14 touchdowns, earning first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors and setting several school records that stood for years. His combination of size, hands, and route-running ability made him a prototype for the modern tall receiver, and his performance in bowl games and against top-ranked opponents drew attention from NFL scouts. Source: SEC Digital Network athlete profile
NFL Playing Career and Pro Bowl Recognition
Collinsworth was selected in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, where he spent most of his eight-year playing career and became a key target for quarterback Ken Anderson and later Boomer Esiason. Over his career, he recorded 665 receptions, 10,737 receiving yards, and 67 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the most productive wide receivers of the early 1980s and earning Pro Bowl selections in 1981 and 1982. Source: Pro Football Reference player page
His best statistical season came in 1985, when he caught 67 passes for 1,125 yards and 7 touchdowns, leading the Bengals in receiving yards and earning second-team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press. Collinsworth also played in Super Bowl XVI and Super Bowl XXIII for the Bengals, gaining recognition for his clutch performances and his role in high-stakes games against elite NFL defenses. Source: NFL official player stats page
Broadcasting Career and Business Ventures
After retiring from the NFL, Collinsworth transitioned into sports broadcasting, initially working as a game analyst for NBC and later joining HBO’s Inside the NFL, where he became known for clear, technical breakdowns of offensive schemes and player performance. He later served as a lead analyst for NBC Sunday Night Football and contributed to coverage of major events including the Super Bowl and NFL Draft, building a reputation as a knowledgeable and measured voice in football media. Source: NBC Sports press release
Beyond broadcasting, Collinsworth has been involved in business ventures and media companies, including co-founding and serving as CEO of Pro Football Focus, a data and analytics platform that provides advanced player statistics and scouting insights used by NFL teams, media outlets, and fantasy football platforms. He has also been active in philanthropy and community initiatives in Florida, focusing on youth sports, education, and health-related causes, while maintaining a public profile as a respected football analyst and former player.