JACKSONVILLE, Florida (AFP) — Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Richard Collier remained in critical condition Wednesday after being shot several times.
The 26-year-old National Football League blocker, and former teammate Ken Pettway were parked outside an apartment when an unknown assailant opened fire. Pettway was unharmed.
"There is really not a lot more that can be added," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said. "Those are the facts. It's what we're dealing with. He was a victim of a crime."
Collier, who had visited several nightclubs, underwent surgery for life-threatening injuries Tuesday morning.
The violent attack upon the third-year lineman, the third shooting of an NFL player since January of 2007, came only five days before the Jaguars open their season against Tennessee.
"We've got to handle it and we've got to move on," Del Rio said. "When you face adversity, when you deal with situations that come up, you've got to be able to handle them.
"You've got to be able to continue on as a football team and that's what we'll do."
Players are finding it hard to focus on gridiron.
"It's a tough time for everybody but we want to make sure we continue to prepare, continue to get better on the field so none of that happens in vain because Richard is a great guy," quarterback David Garrard said.
"We want to go out and play well for him. I'm sure if he was here to say anything to us, it would definitely be that."
Denver Broncos cornerback Darrant Williams was shot and killed after a New Year's Eve party in Denver in early 2007 and Washington defender Sean Taylor was fatally wounded during a robbery attempt at his Florida home last November.
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
