Ex-NFL player, known for Irish dance celebrations, dies in motorcycle crash

A former NFL running back, whose love of Irish dancing made him a social media star, has died in a road crash aged 28.

Alex Collins, who played for the Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks, was killed yesterday in a motorcycle crash involving another vehicle in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

"With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of Alex Collins," the Ravens said in a statement on social media.

"Always quick to greet everyone with a smile, he was a genuinely kind person who carried a special joy and passion wherever he went. May Alex always be remembered for the light and love he brought to so many people in his life."

The Seahawks also posted on social media, offering their condolences to Collins' family.

Collins began his NFL career with Seattle in 2016 as a fifth-round draft pick before spending two seasons with Baltimore. He then went back to the Seahawks for the final two years of his five-year career.

A native of Fort Lauderdale, Collins most recently played for the Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League, signing with them in January.

In 2017, Collins' love of Irish dancing went viral. He was first introduced to it by the daughter of his high school coach and went on to train at the Drake School of Irish Dance.

He told Sports Illustrated's MMQB that the footwork aspect helped him on the football field.

"As far as coming out of the back field, it's like a lot of rhythm and timing with Irish dance, and so it is for the running back as well.

"In here [the dance studio] I'm always on my toes and out on the football field I'm on my toes," he said at the time.

Rising NFL star Alex Collins has revealed the secret to his on-field footwork: a love of Irish dancing