Gators Legend Cris Collinsworth Elected to Sports Broadcasting HOF
- Matthew Quartararo
- Jul 31, 2023
- 1 min read
Former Gators wide receiver Cris Collinsworth was named to 2023 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame Class on Thursday.
After his playing career, Collinsworth made a fairly quick transition into the sports broadcasting industry, where he has spent the last 30-plus years. He began his television career in 1990 as a game-analyst for NFL broadcasts on NBC Sports, before joining Joe Buck and Troy Aikman in the Fox broadcast booth in 2005. He then replaced the legendary John Madden in the booth for NBC Sunday Night Football with Al Michaels. He remains in that role today, however Michaels was recently replaced with Mike Tirico.
Collinsworth is the only NFL analyst other than John Madden to receive a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Sports Event Analyst, which he has won nine times over the course of his career.
Collinsworth was a three-time All-SEC and two-time All-American during his time at Florida spanning the 1977-80 seasons. He caught 120 passes for 1,937 yards and 14 touchdowns, while also running for two and returning a kickoff for another score. He was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991.
After his career with the Gators, Collinsworth spent eight seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, corralling 417 passes for 6,698 yards and 36 touchdowns. He was named to the All-Rookie Team in 1981 and was named to three pro bowls over the course of his career.
Among those joining Collinsworth will be NBA on TNT studio-show host Ernie Johnson. The entire 2023 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted on December 12.
So proud of you Cris! You sure helped our Gainesville community in the late 80’s and early 90’s I raising money! He even bought a cell phone for his son! He was a grate ambassador!
And Cris holds a Florida passing record, a 99-yard TD as a freshman before his scattershot arm got him moved to receiver. I recall a Gaffney caught the short toss and raced the rest of the way. He’s still enjoying a splendid career.