La’el Collins Sought for Questioning in Shooting Death of Pregnant Woman

More so than any other draft in recent NFL history, it seems that off-field issues surrounding players have reared their ugly head in the lead up to the annual event later this week.

The latest incident surrounding former Louisiana State offensive lineman La’el Collins has to be considered the most troublesome.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Baton Rouge Police Department in Louisiana is looking to question Collins regarding the shooting death of a pregnant woman last week.

Though, it must be noted that the individual speaking to Schefter, Baton Rouge police Lt. Jonny Dunnam, made sure to indicate that Collins is not a suspect in the incident.

Per Shefter: 

Brittany Mills, 29, is believed by police to be a former girlfriend of Collins. Police said Collins is not believed to be a suspect in the shooting, only that they want to talk to him to see if he can provide them with information.

Collins’ attorney, Jim Boren, told police his client is in Chicago getting ready for the NFL draft. But Boren told Schefter he has been in constant contact with the lead detective on the case and he spoke with the district attorney Tuesday, and that he is going to arrange for Collins to speak with police.

Mills was shot and killed in her apartment on Friday night. The police rushed her to the hospital, where her baby was delivered.

Even if Collins isn’t a suspect in the murder, the idea that he’s involved in an investigation surrounding such a horrific crime has to be worrisome to teams around the NFL. And it is yet another black eye for the league leading up to the draft.

Collins is attending the draft in Chicago, and was expected to be a first-round pick. It remains to be seen how this will impact his draft status.

Update: According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the questioning may have to do with paternal responsibility and whether Collins is the father of the newborn that survived the shooting.

Photo: USA Today Sports