Bruce Collie was introduced to the 49ers’ press just after being drafted in 1985 as a rough-houser from Texas who lived hard and shouldn’t be messed with. He could squat 650 pounds and bench-press 470, with a 20.5-inch bicep. Collie had gotten stabbed in 1982 in a late-night San Antonio incident. He said of that: “When you’re lying in a hospital, holding your belly together, it makes you think about what’s important. I did a lot of growing up in college. I’ve never met a freshman football player who wasn’t on the wild side. I’ve changed a lot in the last few years.”
He’d gone to Texas-Arlington and been a feature tackle there, then used ambition to become a starter in 1986 and acquire some assets along the way. Nonetheless, he wasn’t satisfied, as he’d later say: “No matter how many women I was with or how many drugs I did while partying, I couldn’t fill this void. So I thought a Super Bowl ring would fix it.”
He and the Niners won the Super Bowls of 1989 and 1990, and Collie started on the 1989 49ers. He’d been only a casual Christian, but his mom, Lexie, spurred him to a conversion in summer 1990. He got waived just before the season started, went to the Eagles and began studying the Bible with Reggie White in Philadelphia, got married within a couple months, and has a dozen kids now.
You can read about the turnaround here.
Before the 1991 season and after his conversion, Collie acknowledged using steroids in the ‘80s and drinking during 49er training camps. Collie now owns the Cedar Grove Steakhouse in Wimberley, Texas, after having spent time ministering in prisons.
Whats up Bruce, do not know if you remember me or not. I used to be the youth guy at Calvary Baptist, I have since gone through a terrible divorce and have moved to east Texas. I really do not know how someone can throw away 22 years but I guess some people just do not care anymore. I am doing ok, I have gotten involved in a church up here and to say the least it is a God thing. We have baptized anywhere from 1-4 every week for the past 8 weeks.
I was sharing your testimony with someone here at the office so thought I would say hi.
I hope everything is going well with you and blessings to you and your family.
Take care.
David
hey bruce. I met u & a few of your boys last week when Daniel dropped off the bobcat. I was trying to find out more about your restaurant. does your restaurant have a website.