Man sentenced to life for shooting ex-Jaguar

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- Tyrone Hartsfield, the man convicted of shooting former Jaguars player Richard Collier, has learned his fate.

Hartsfield will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Judge Mallory Cooper, saying Hartsfied was a habitual offender because of previous run-ins with the law, gave Hartsfield the maximum sentence for the attempted murder conviction.

There is no possibility of parole.

Cooper told Hartsfield there was no sentence that fit what happened to Collier. She admonished Hartsfield, saying he ambushed Collier and was a coward.

Before the sentencing Thursday afternoon, Collier read a statement to the court. At times, he broke down crying, especially when he talked about his future.

"When I get married, I can't stand and watch my bride walk down the aisle. If I have boys someday, I won't be able to teach them how to play football."

Collier had 14 bullet wounds, four bullets still lodged in his body and has lost part of his leg. He is wheelchair-bound.

Hartsfield showed little emotion as Collier talked about the four bullets still lodged in his body and how he's lost a leg. 

"I loved the thrill of playing football on Sundays, but after I was shot I couldn't stand to watch my teammates anymore," Collier said.

He said he's emotionally as well as physically scarred. "My ability to live out my dream of playing football has been snatched away from me."

Hartsfield responded to Collier in court, telling him he is innocent. He also pleaded with the judge to give him a chance to raise his children.

His mother also pleaded for mercy for her son. "Please give him a chance. They're everything, they're everything," she said.

Hartsfield can appeal the life sentence.