ELDER W ILLIAM “BILL” ELGERT COLLINS,SR. 1948 – 2025

By: Roy Douglas Malonson

Bill Collins didn’t just play football—he made history every time he stepped onto the field. As the first Black football captain to lead the University of Colorado for an entire season, Bill broke barriers, silenced doubt, and left a legacy that continues to inspire generations. On July 31, 2025, he passed away in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer. His life was a testament to what it means to rise, lead, and open doors for those who follow.

Before Bill became a college football pioneer, I knew him as the young man who lived just 100 feet away from me in Acres Home. Even then, it was clear he had something special. At George Washington Carver High School, he was the starting quarterback

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