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La’el Collins met with police on Monday after being implicated in a murder investigation last week.
Collins, who was in Chicago to attend the NFL draft, flew back to Baton Rouge, La. last week in hopes of meeting with investigators before the draft to help clear his name. Even though he is not considered a suspect, Collins involvement in the case took him off of draft boards across the NFL. The left tackle went from being a surefire first-round pick to going undrafted.
La'El Collins & attny. Jim Boren walking in to meet w/ police. Boren says he hopes to "see the whole picture" @WAFB pic.twitter.com/EACEQ7cWHe
— Gerron Jordan (@GerronJordan) May 4, 2015
According to reporters on the scene, Collins spent about an hour with police investigators, answering all questions according to his attorney, Jim Boren.
Related: Collins not allowed to re-enter 2016 draft
Police wanted to speak with Collins regarding the murder of Brittney Mills, a 29-year-old pregnant woman who Collins knew. Medical personnel were able to deliver Mills’ child, but the infant passed away over the weekend. Police did not name Collins as a suspect, but his involvement in the case scared off every NFL team as the offensive lineman went undrafted.
https://twitter.com/_BenWallace/status/595262586293125121
MORE: When asked if Collins is cleared, Boren responded he thinks he has been clear from beginning. @WAFB
— Gerron Jordan (@GerronJordan) May 4, 2015
Now that Collins has met with the police, it’s unclear where the case will go. According to a report from The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La.), Collins is set to take a paternity test for the child. While Collins’ attorney hinted that the player is cleared of any wrongdoing, there is still a possibility that he could be named a suspect pending the results of the paternity test.
La'el Collins interview with BR Police ends. But attorney Jim Boren does not say if he has been ruled out as a future suspect in murder.
— Glenn Guilbeau (@SportBeatTweet) May 4, 2015
“Collins Attny Jim Boren: "I don't think he's a suspect… La'El is now going to make efforts to get his football career back on track"
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) May 4, 2015
As Collins’ draft status worsened seemingly by the hour after he became involved in the murder investigation, his agent began looking for ways to get him out of the 2015 draft and push him back to 2016. The NFL denied a request to pull Collins from the draft this year, and because he was eligible for this year’s draft and was not chosen he is now ineligible for the 2016 draft.
Related: Collins may sit out 2015
For now, Collins remains in NFL limbo as he waits for police to clear his name.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
