Cris Collinsworth was selected 37th overall in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft from Florida, where he earned Consensus All-American honors. He arrived in Cincinnati as a unique receiving talent, standing 6’5" with sprinter speed. His exceptional length and vertical ability allowed him to create immediate mismatches against smaller cornerbacks. During his eight-year career in Southwest Ohio, he was the primary target for quarterbacks Ken Anderson and Boomer Esiason, establishing himself as one of the most formidable deep threats of the 1980s.

Collinsworth had a high-end stride length, exceptional body control, and smooth, precise route-running. As Cincinnati’s primary wide receiver, he specialized in intermediate boundary routes and deep seam routes, where his massive catch radius allowed him to pluck throws over defensive backs. His combination of height and open-field speed made him a lethal chunk-play weapon, as evidenced by his career 16.1 yards per reception average.

Collinsworth made an immediate impact during his rookie season in 1981, establishing a franchise record for rookies with 67 receptions, totaling 1,009 yards and eight touchdowns. His outstanding debut earned him his first selection to the Pro Bowl and the Second-Team All-Pro honors, while also contributing significantly to Cincinnati's advancement to the AFC Championship and their inaugural appearance in Super Bowl XVI, where he led all receivers with 107 receiving yards.

He continued his impressive streak of Pro Bowl selections for three years in a row over the next two seasons. Even during the strike-shortened 1982 season, he managed to make a big impact with 49 receptions for 700 yards in just nine games. By 1983, he was back at full strength, hauling in 66 catches for 1,130 yards and five touchdowns, which earned him his third straight Pro Bowl nod and a Second-Team All-Pro honor. In 1984, Collinsworth was so close to reaching 1,000 yards again, finishing just 11 yards shy with 989 yards and six touchdowns. He made a fantastic comeback with two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in 1985 (1,125 yards) and 1986 (1,024 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns), truly establishing himself as one of the league's top wide receivers.

In 1988, Collinsworth served as a veteran pass catcher on the Bengals team that secured the AFC Championship and advanced to Super Bowl XXIII. Following this appearance, he retired from professional play, having participated exclusively in all 107 of his career games for Cincinnati, earning the designation of a “Lifer." After his retirement from active competition, Collinsworth transitioned into a career in sports media, where he has achieved remarkable success, including winning 17 Sports Emmy Awards. He has also served as the long-time color analyst for NBC's Sunday Night Football.

Over his career, Collinsworth recorded 417 receptions for 6,698 yards and 36 touchdowns.