Jamie Collins (American football)
A supremely athletic linebacker whose explosive playmaking helped anchor a Patriots dynasty, earning a Pro Bowl nod with a season for the ages.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American football player and coach·Birthday: October 20·Millennials
Biography
Jamie Collins's NFL story is one of breathtaking physical talent unleashed in the perfect system. Drafted in the second round by the New England Patriots out of Southern Miss, his rare combination of size, speed, and leaping ability made him an immediate weapon for Bill Belichick. In 2015, Collins had a career year, flying around the field to rack up tackles, sacks, and interceptions, performances that earned him a Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro honors. His role was that of a defensive chess piece, capable of blitzing, covering tight ends, and shutting down running plays. Though his career later included stops in Cleveland and Detroit, his legacy is cemented by his integral part in New England's championship machinery, including a key role in their Super Bowl XLIX victory. He has since transitioned to coaching, bringing his on-field intellect to the college game.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jamie was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jamie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Jamie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors in 2015 after a standout season with the New England Patriots.
- Was a key defensive contributor for the Patriots, winning Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks.
- Played ten seasons in the NFL, a testament to his adaptability and sustained high-level performance.
- Now serves as the inside linebackers coach for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels.
Did You Know?
He famously recorded an astonishing 41.5-inch vertical leap at the NFL Scouting Combine.
He played college football at the University of Southern Mississippi.
He was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft.
“My job is to find the ball and get it, whatever it takes.”
