Was Cris Collinsworth a Good Football Player in the NFL
Cris Collinsworth played wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1981 to 1988. He was selected in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft. Over his career, he recorded 663 receptions, 10,737 receiving yards, and 52 touchdowns. He earned eight Pro Bowl selections and was named First-Team All-Pro three times. He also won two Super Bowls with the Bengals, appearing in Super Bowl XVI and Super Bowl XXIII. These numbers place him among the top receivers of his era, supporting the view that he was a good football player. More career details are available on the Pro Football Hall of Fame site at Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Collinsworth's effectiveness came from route running, hands, and downfield timing. He averaged 16.2 yards per catch over his career, a mark that reflects big-play ability. He posted multiple seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, including a career-high 1,352 yards in 1985. He played alongside quarterback Ken Anderson in an era known for strong passing attacks. His consistency and durability, missing few games due to injury, added to his value. This sustained production over eight seasons is a core reason analysts consider him a good football player.
What Awards and Post-Playing Recognition Did Cris Collinsworth Earn
Pro Bowl and All-Pro Honors
Collinsworth made eight Pro Bowl appearances between 1982 and 1988. He was named First-Team All-Pro in 1981, 1983, and 1985. He also earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in other seasons. These selections came from votes by media members and reflect peer recognition during his playing years. The combination of Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods strengthens the case that he was a good football player by the standards of the 1980s NFL.
Super Bowl Performances
Collinsworth started in both Super Bowl XVI and Super Bowl XXIII for the Bengals. In Super Bowl XVI, he caught five passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. In Super Bowl XXIII, he recorded four receptions for 66 yards. He is one of the few wide receivers to appear in multiple Super Bowls with the same franchise during that period. These performances in the biggest games reinforce the argument that he was a good football player at the highest level.
Broadcast Career After Playing
After retiring, Collinsworth became a lead NFL analyst for NBC Sunday Night Football and HBO Inside the NFL. He joined the NFL Network and contributed to coverage of the NFL Combine and Draft. He also worked on Fox NFL Sunday and other studio shows. His long broadcast tenure reflects deep football knowledge that extends beyond his playing stats. This post-career visibility keeps his legacy visible in discussions about whether he was a good football player.
Business and Media Ventures
Collinsworth founded Pro Football Focus, a data and analytics company that tracks NFL player performance. The company provides advanced metrics used by teams, media, and fans. He has also been involved in broadcasting and content production through his own media company. These ventures show how his football expertise translated into business and media roles. They also give modern context to his career when evaluating whether he was a good football player.
How Cris Collinsworth Compares to Other NFL Receivers of His Era
Collinsworth's career receiving yards and touchdown totals rank among the leaders for wide receivers drafted in the early 1980s. His 663 career receptions are comparable to other top receivers of that decade, such