BIG SKY RELEASE

OGDEN, Utah – Continuing the Big Sky Conference's celebration of its 50th anniversary, the conference announced No. 44 through 40 of its "50 Greatest Male Athletes" and former NAU football star Shawn Collins made the list at No. 41.

"It's giving me chills that I'm being honored," Collins told the Big Sky Conference. "I never thought I'd be in that situation to be honored in this way. I love the Big Sky Conference. I'm truly blessed to be alive. I want to get back to the activities at Northern Arizona."

Collins was a two-time consensus All-America selection and a two-time All-Big Sky first team honoree during his playing career at NAU that spanned from 1985-88. He finished his career as the school's all-time leader for receptions (201), receiving yards (2,764) and touchdown receptions (25) and still holds the career marks for receptions and yards to this day. During his sophomore season, he led the Big Sky with 70 catches for 1,016 yards and four touchdowns and wrapped up his career by averaging a league-best 5.4 receptions per game.

The wide receiver turned tight end from San Diego, Calif. would then get the surprise of a lifetime as he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons with the 27th overall selection in the 1989 NFL Draft. He became just the fourth – and most recent – player in Big Sky history to be drafted in the first round. In his debut season, he set an Atlanta Falcons rookie record for catches in a season with 58, a record that still stands today.

"Little old me from Northern Arizona in the mix," Collins said. "I had no clue I'd go in the first round. I had really good workouts. I thought I'd go in the second or third round. When I was chosen 27th, you talk about a guy who cried, and cried."

Collins would wrap up his professional career playing in 53 career NFL games. He caught 98 passes for 1,433 yards and five touchdowns.