From backup to champion: the resilient career of Zach Collaros
In short: After going undrafted in the 2012 NFL draft, Zach Collaros had to rebuild his career in the CFL. From overcoming a torn ACL to navigating a series of concussions, his journey from a backup in Toronto to a multi-time Grey Cup champion is a testament to professional perseverance.
Zach Collaros' professional journey is defined by his ability to step in when others cannot. While playing for the Cincinnati Bearcats, he first saw action as a backup in 2008 after Tony Pike was injured. He later stepped into a starting role during the 2009 season, notably recording a Big East record 555 yards of total offense in a single game against Connecticut.
His transition to the Canadian Football League (CFL) saw significant highs and lows. After signing with the Toronto Argonauts in June 2012, he secured a Grey Cup championship as a backup in 2012. However, his career has been marked by significant physical setbacks. In 2015, while leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, he suffered a torn ACL that ended his season.
Collaros has also faced challenges with concussions. In 2018, while with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, a concussion prevented him from playing in the Western Semi-Final. Later, in 2019, a head injury from a linebacker during a game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats sidelined him for much of the season. Despite these hurdles, he found immense success with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, winning Grey Cups in 2019 and 2021.
His 2021 season stands as a career pinnacle. Serving as the undisputed starter, he achieved a 111.01 passer rating—the 10th-best single-season rating in CFL history at the time. This performance earned him both CFL All-Star honors and the league's Most Outstanding Player award, alongside being named the Grey Cup Most Valuable Player.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Zach Collaros
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