Cris Collinsworth, a famed American football personality of white ethnicity, is known not only as a great player but also for his successful and exciting career in sports broadcasting.
Cris Collinsworth, a new star, was born on January 27, 1959, in Dayton, Ohio, United States of America.
This gifted football athlete has marked his destiny as an admired media icon with strong family traditions and individual achievements.
He is the son of father Abraham Lincoln “Abe” Collinsworth and mother Donetta Browning Collinsworth.
His father, a notable athlete in his own right, had played basketball for the University of Kentucky’s national championship team in 1958. Abe was from Salyersville, Kentucky.
Abe was a talented player and later became a leader in education in Brevard County, Florida.
His mother, Donetta, was also a teacher and was voted Homecoming Queen at Logan High School in West Virginia. She was from Logan, West Virginia.
In 1963, when he was four years old, his family migrated from Ohio to Melbourne, Florida. This would greatly make a difference in his rearing and athletic development.
The Collinsworth family eventually landed in Titusville, Florida, where Cris attended Astronaut High School.
He played four different sports: football, basketball, baseball, and track.
Cris Collinsworth was an All-American QB in high school, an All-American WR with the Florida Gators and a Pro Bowler in the NFL.
— Keith Niebuhr (@On3Keith) July 31, 2023
Turns out, he was just getting started.
He was just elected to the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
Story here: https://t.co/qJYKbctNoV pic.twitter.com/a4vrILufnH
As a senior, he was named an All-American quarterback and won the state title in the 100-yard dash.
After high school, Collinsworth attended the University of Florida.
Recruited as a Gators’ quarterback, he showcased his skills with a remarkable 99-yard touchdown pass against the Rice Owls.
This accomplishment is tied for the longest touchdown pass in NCAA history.
But his versatility saw him move into the broad receiver role, and it was there that he excelled.
Collinsworth amassed impressive stats in his college career: 120 receptions for 1,937 yards and 14 touchdowns.
That kind of performance got him recognized as an All-American and set him up for entry into professional football.
Cris Hosted A Sports Radio Show In Cincinnati And Joined NBC’s NFL Broadcasts After Retiring!
Cris Collinsworth was drafted in the second round by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1981 NFL Draft. He played there for eight seasons, from 1981 until 1988.
With a height of 6 feet 5 inches, coupled with great speed, he was one of the most dreaded wide receivers ever to play the game.
Cris Collinsworth was an All-American QB in high school, an All-American WR with the Florida Gators and a Pro Bowler in the NFL.
— Keith Niebuhr (@On3Keith) July 31, 2023
Turns out, he was just getting started.
He was just elected to the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
Story here: https://t.co/qJYKbctNoV pic.twitter.com/a4vrILufnH
While playing for the Bengals, Collinsworth had 417 catches for almost 6,700 yards and 36 touchdowns. He received three Pro Bowl selections.
In 1985, Collinsworth signed with the Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League. However, his contract was voided after he failed a physical due to an ankle injury. This marked the end of his playing days in professional football.
After retiring from football due to injuries related to herniated disks in his back, Collinsworth transitioned into broadcasting.
He started as a sports radio talk show host on Cincinnati’s WLW station before joining NBC’s NFL broadcasts in 1990.
Since then, he has become one of the most recognizable voices in sports media and has received numerous awards, including 17 Sports Emmy Awards for his work as a color analyst.
Collinsworth’s intelligent commentary and ability to break down complex plays have made him a respected figure among fans and players.
He has contributed to various networks, including NBC and Showtime, and is also known as the majority owner of Pro Football Focus, a company specializing in sports analytics.
Cris Collinsworth has been married to Holly Bankemper since June 3, 1989.
They have four children together: Jac, Austin, Ashley, and Katie.
Although he is busy as a broadcaster and entrepreneur, he is always dedicated to family life and loves spending time with his family.
Cris Collinsworth represents a vibrant tapestry of American culture, woven together by his ethnicity, family background, athletic accomplishments, and extraordinary contributions to sports broadcasting.
His path from a gifted young athlete to an honored media figure shows his dedication and a nurturing family with firm roots in education and athletics.
In Case You Know
- Cris Collinsworth is the grandson of Judge Green Wade Collinsworth.
- In 1991, Collinsworth earned a juris doctorate from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.
- Collinsworth also has a steak named after him by the same restaurant.