NBC Analyst Cris Collinsworth's Wife Is a Former College Cheerleader

Cris Collinsworth will be back in the spotlight on Sunday night as the New England Patriots square off against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.

The former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver has gained acclaim as an analyst for NBC where he's been full-time partners with Mike Tirico since 2022. The latter is highly complimentary of Collinsworth's prowes in the broadcast booth.

“He’s not afraid to answer any question,” Tirico told The Athletic. “I’ve worked with people you have to be very specific with. ‘What exactly are you going to ask them? Well, be very careful.’ Cris is so knowledgeable and quick on his feet that you could ask him anything, and he’s going to give you an honest answer.”

The longtime analyst doesn't always get positive reviews, though. He consistently goes viral on social media for his complimentary comments about Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, which rubs opposing fans the wrong way.

As he prepares for Super Bowl LX, though, Collinsworth will have plenty of support from his family.

Cris Collinsworth Met Wife Holly in 1980's

Then-Holly Bankemper, she attended the University of Kentucky for her bachelor’s degree, where she was a cheerleader for the Wildcats. Holly and Cris then both attended the University of Cincinnati College of Law where Holly got her J.D. in 1988.

Collinsworth was busy playing for the Bengals at the time and later earner his degree three years after his wife. She later became a practicing attorney and is a current member of the Cincinnati Bar Association while having previously worked in Fort Thomas and Longboat Key, FL.

Collinsworth Attempted to Use Al Michaels' Help in Proposal

Collinsworth, then a wide receiver for the Bengals, approached Al Michaels ahead of the MLB All-Star Game in Cincinnati in 1988 to ask for his help in proposing to Bankemper, but was quickly shot down.

“I might have been able to pull it off for a regular game, like Cincinnati versus Philadelphia," Michaels told The Herald-Mail in September 2018. "But it was the All-Star game, so that would have been a tough do.”

Instead, he proposed after the game on a bridge over the Ohio River and the couple got married the following year on June 3, 1989.

Speaking to Cincinnati Magazine in January 2001, Cris described himself as “just lucky” to meet Holly.

"She's great. I have a really strong wife," he said. "It's amazing all that she can handle, particularly with as much as I'm away from home."

Cris, Holly Have Four Children Together

The couple shares four children together, two daughters and two sones. Katie was born in 1990, Austin was born on Dec. 24, 1991, Ashley was born in 1993 and Jac was born on Feb. 13, 1995.

Jac followed his in his father's footsteps by joining the broadcast world and currently works for NBC - just like his father.

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