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SALT LAKE CITY — For all the talent he displayed during a stellar college career, which began with a 42-yard touchdown reception against Notre Dame in his first game, Austin Collie probably always will be remembered for his infamous “magic happens” comments.
The irony, as is often the case, is somewhat humorous. Magic played no part in Collie achieving greatness at BYU.
It was all about effort and determination, qualities that have carried him to within one game of reaching the Super Bowl. Collie and the New England Patriots will play the Denver Broncos in the AFC championship game on Sunday.
In his three years in college, which were interrupted by a two-year church mission, Collie established himself as the greatest receiver in BYU history. He never was the fastest or the tallest or whatever physical attribute you prefer, but he was simply the best.
Collie had a passion for excellence, a desire that has carried him to the highest level and allowed him to stay there even in the face of tremendous doubt. Some would say he is crazy, downright plain nuts given his medical history, to continue pursuing such a dangerous occupation.
But those who know Collie aren’t surprised. It’s who he is.
Since his rookie season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2009, Collie has been besieged with injuries. It began with multiple concussions, including a blow to the head that left Collie motionless on the ground for several minutes in a game against the Eagles in November 2010. Eventually, he was placed on a stretcher and carted off the field before a silent crowd in Philadelphia.
I wouldn't say it was lucky. We executed the play well. We should have had another one (TD). Obviously, if you do what's right on and off the field, I think the Lord steps in and plays a part in it. Magic happens.
–Austin Collie
In September 2012, Collie went down for the season with a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee. Five months later the Colts cut him.
Given Collie’s ailments and the serious nature of repeated head injuries, many assumed his playing career was doomed. It was time, the line of thinking goes, for him to move back to Utah County and make a living off his name.
Not a chance.
Recall the aforementioned passion. The flame for football wasn’t close to burning out, no matter what the skeptics and well-wishers thought.
Don’t waste time telling Collie what he can’t or should do.
Last August he signed with the San Francisco 49ers, a move that looked to be a great landing spot for him. It turns out it wasn’t, as the Niners cut him before the season.
True to his nature, Collie sent out the following tweet: “No worries. The #comeback train isn't stoppin. Was a great opportunity 4 me to get back into playin shape & get my knee/body ready 4 season.”
No worries. The #comeback train isn't
stoppin. Was a great opportunity 4 me to get back into playin shape
& get my knee/body ready 4 season.
— Austin Collie
(@AKCollie_10) August 31, 2013He signed with the Patriots on Oct. 3 and 10 days later went after his critics in true Collie fashion. He took to Twitter to say: “2 all those who said I should walk away, Thnk U! U kept me going when I felt like throwing in the towel! 2nite made it all worth it!”
In other words, shut up. It was the same message he delivered after the stir created by the “magic happens” comment, which he said to me following BYU’s last-second win over Utah in 2007. BYU converted an improbable fourth-and-18 on a 49-yard reception from Max Hall to Collie during the game-winning drive.
"I wouldn't say it was lucky,” Collie said during the interview. “We executed the play well. We should have had another one (TD). Obviously, if you do what's right on and off the field, I think the Lord steps in and plays a part in it. Magic happens."
The uproar created by invoking deity lasted weeks. And Collie couldn’t have cared less. Who doesn’t bring up God in postgame interviews these days?
The truth is, nothing is going to keep Collie down, not even getting released by NFL teams. Being cut in the preseason was just the beginning of his roller-coaster season.
The Patriots cut him twice during the regular season before re-signing him before the playoffs. In last week’s playoff win over his former team, Collie caught the only pass thrown his way for a 15-yard gain.
"Just go with the flow, man," Collie said during a media session before the game. "I kind of knew going into this year that there were going to be bumps in the road, coming off a knee surgery and whatnot, and not having an opportunity to be in an offseason with the team or anything like that. Right now, I'm just continuing to try to get better and get back to where I was."
Only a fool would doubt it.
