"In 1995, Kerry Collins was the most popular athlete in Charlotte. Back then, it didn't take much. All he had to do was show up.

Collins was a quarterback, and he was the first draft pick (fifth overall in '95) the Carolina Panthers ever made. We'd had race car drivers and wrestlers and NBA players. But we had never had a genuine NFL QB who lived in our town and played for our team.

Collins could walk into a bar - and he did - and the floor would tilt his way. When did the party begin? It began when the quarterback arrived. Let the alcohol and the adventures commence. Charlotte was starstruck, and we didn't care who knew.

In 1996, in only their second season, the Panthers advanced to the NFC Championship Game, and Collins made the Pro Bowl. The NFL was going to be so easy.

Just watch. In 1997 Carolina's big (6-foot-5 and 247 pounds) and big-armed quarterback was going to take the Panthers all the way.

Operators are still standing by.

In 1997, Collins and the Panthers turned mediocre and in '98 they lost their first four games. After the fourth loss Collins went to the office of coach Dom Capers.

Collins would say later he merely asked for a break. Capers would say Collins wanted to quit. We all believed Capers. The Panthers waived Collins.

Imagine a Panthers star, let alone a quarterback, going to coach Ron Rivera and asking for a break or, more likely, asking to be freed.

Collins was finished as a credible pro athlete."