Collier responded with a thumbs-up, an emotional moment for the player, his teammates, coaches and fans. It also may have offered some closure on a situation the Jaguars never really recovered from this season.

“I was telling people, ‘Believe it or not, this is the happiest I’ve been my whole life,”’ Collier said. “I’ve learned a lot. I’ve grown from this situation. I’ve surprised myself how I’ve come out of it. I feel really good.”

Collier, a 6-foot-7 offensive linemen paralyzed from the waist down following a shooting in early September, returned to the field Thursday night and was recognized during pregame ceremonies. He drove onto the field, sat next to his teammates during the national anthem and then headed to midfield as an honorary team captain for the coin toss.

He answered a few questions afterward, then went to a luxury suite with family members to watch the game between Jacksonville and Indianapolis. He must have liked Jacksonville’s fast start. The Jaguars scored touchdowns on their first two possessions and led 14-0 early in the second quarter—possibly feeding off Collier’s emotional return.

“It’s a bittersweet moment,” Collier said. “I’m here now, but I’m not a player anymore. But it’s also great with all the love that’s been shown from everybody. … It was like I’m back at home. Everybody showed me love. It was good.”

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