Thunder Collins, Former Nebraska RB, Sentenced to Life In Prison

Former Nebraska running back Thunder Collins' life seemed to be just one misstep after another once he joined the Cornhuskers nearly a decade ago.

Years of being on the wrong side of law have caught up with Collins, who was sentenced to life in prison Thursday in Omaha, Neb., for his role in the 2008 murder of one man and shooting of another man. Collins, who played for the Cornhuskers from 2000-02, was convicted of first-degree murder and several other charges in August.

The 29-year-old was facing a mandatory life in prison sentence after being convicted of first-degree murder, but the Douglas County District Court judge tacked on another 110 years for second-degree murder, assault and two weapons charges.

Prosecutors said Collins was the mastermind of a drug deal gone bad in September 2008 that left one man dead and another seriously injured in a botched robbery scheme. His arrest a day after the murder was the last of a string of arrests in Nebraska that began in 2002.

Collins came to the Cornhuskers as a heralded All-American JC recruit, but he never quite lived up to the hype. His best season came in 2001 when he rushed for 647 yards and five touchdowns and had 19 receptions for 189 yards in 12 games. In 2002, Collins quit at midseason, citing personal family reasons.

He spent the 2003 season in the CFL before returning to Nebraska. His life quickly began to spiral and his freedom finally came to an end with Thursday's life sentence.