Former Penn State QB Kerry Collins Retires

After 16 fairly successful seasons in the NFL, former Penn State standout Kerry Collins has decided to call it a career.

After 16 fulfilling years of playing quarterback in the NFL, I am officially announcing my retirement from professional football," Collins said in a statement released by Athletes First, the agency that represents him. "The past several months have brought much introspection, and I have decided that while my desire to compete on Sundays is still and always will be there, my willingness to commit to the preparation necessary to play another season has waned to a level that I feel is no longer adequate to meet the demands of the position

Collins is the last Nittany Lion QB to lead Penn State to an undefeated season. He won the first of Penn State's three Big Ten Championships back in 1994 and led his team team to a romp of Oregon in the Rose Bowl. In 1994 he was also the recipient of the Maxwell Award, Davey O'Brein Award, Sammy Baugh Award, and was named College Quarterback of the Year.

Collins finished his Penn State career with 5,304 yards and 39 TDs. His record as a starter was a solid 21-5.

Collins was selected 5th overall by the Carolina Panthers and after a few off the field incidents honed his craft with the New Orleans Saints and eventually the New York Giants whom he took to the Super Bowl (although he didn't exactly have a duplicate performance of the Rose Bowl). He survived playing for the dysfunctional Oakland Raiders and finished his career with the Tennessee Titans where he made his final Pro Bowl appearance back in 2008. For his career Collins threw for 40,441 yards, 206 TDs, and 195 INTs. He also didn't forget to thanks some important people.

I feel very fortunate to have played with and to have been coached by some of the greatest the game has ever seen," Collins added. "I feel especially fortunate to have played under some of the true patriarchs of the modern game: Joe Paterno, the late Wellington Mara, Al Davis and Bud Adams. I would like to thank all of the coaches, players and other team personnel along the way who have shaped me both personally and professionally. I want to wish Mike Munchak and the Tennessee Titans the best of luck in the future.

Good luck to Kerry and his family. Hopefully he can continue his country music career.