Mack Hollins and 'the Backpack' are both hits with the Eagles

Mack Hollins rides his bike to and from the NovaCare Complex for practice and on home games to and from the Linc, and each time he has a backpack strapped over his shoulders.

The Eagles wide receiver is a connoisseur of backpacks, always having one handy, he said, since high school. On Monday night, after he made the 15-minute trek to the stadium, Hollins caught his first NFL touchdown and celebrated with a dance that has become known as "The Backpack."

The dance was created by backpack-wearing Russell Horning, a 15-year-old internet sensation, although Hollins said he didn't originally know its name.

"I guess it's kind of all correlating now, but I had no idea. I didn't even know the dance was called 'The Backpack' until it happened," Hollins said a few days after his touchdown-celebrating moves. "But I always have a backpack on. I guess that's my thing. They call me 'Backpack.'"

Hollins hasn't exactly gone viral following his 68-yard score that jumpstarted the sleepwalking Eagles, who went on to defeat the Redskins, 34-24. But the rookie has caught on with a growing number of fans who are clamoring for more of the receiver. Hollins has played an average of only 10 offensives snaps a game, but he's caught all six of quarterback Carson Wentz's targets.

"He's not hurting himself, obviously, making some plays," Eagles coach Doug Pederson said when asked if Hollins was pushing for more playing time.

Before that big catch, Hollins got only a tap on the shoulder from receivers coach Mike Groh to go into the game because starter Torrey Smith need a breather after running a deep route on the previous play. Being ready at a moment's notice is part of being a backup, but Hollins also plays on all four core special teams units.

"So I'm never really cold. My legs are always going," Hollins said. "I know if I get one snap or 100, I have to be ready for that snap. There's no, 'I'm cold or I'm not ready to go in yet.'"

Scoring from long distance isn't new to Hollins. He averaged 20.6 yards per catch in college, which is a North Carolina record, and his 20 career touchdowns is third-most in school history. The Eagles drafted Hollins in the fourth round in part because of his field-stretching abilities. But with Alshon Jeffery and Smith already on the outside, his first-year contributions were expected to be primarily on special teams.

But the 24-year old was ahead of the curve throughout offseason workouts, unlike fifth-round rookie receiver Shelton Gibson.

"At the beginning, you got to trick yourself into being confident until you are," Hollins said. "Tell yourself that it's real. That's what I did from the beginning. 'Hey, I'm a starter in my mind. I'm the best player here in my mind until I'm able to make plays.' "

A former college walk-on, Hollins understands that nothing is granted. In the receivers' room, he's known as a voracious note-taker. While he didn't start the season on all special teams, coordinator Dave Fipp has gradually given him more responsibility — but at a price.

"Fipp's been pretty hard on him, but he's done a good job of accepting criticism and coaching," tight end Trey Burton said. "It's rare these days to see a young kid not freak out when his coach is being tough on him."

Hollins' versatility should only increase his role on offense. He may already be the best blocking receiver on the team. And he's knowledgeable enough to play all three receiver positions.

"He is a really smart guy, so he can kind of get plugged in at [receiver spots] X, at Z, at F," Wentz said. "Every time he is in there it seems like he just makes plays. He does a great job in the run game with run blocking. We can kind of put him on some linebackers and do some different things."

Off the field, he's just as varied. Hollins' dream is to own a world-renowned aquarium. His father once owned a lion, and he has in turn become fascinated by exotic animals. He owns two snakes — a ball python and a sunglow boa – and breeds African cichlid fish. The snakes stay at home.

"Coach Pederson, the first day I got here he said, 'You can't bring them in,' " Hollins said. "I was like, 'All right.' "

Hollins also left his motorcycle – a Honda CBR600 – back home in Maryland.

"They're not too fond of it," Hollins said of the Eagles.

Hollins is renowned not only for his backpack but for occasionally carrying a briefcase.

"Briefcase only comes out on certain days," Hollins said.

He said he can also carry it on his bike

"It's kind of weird," Burton said.

Everyone seems to love "The Backpack," though. On Friday in the Eagles locker room, defensive tackle Beau Allen put his own gyrating spin on the dance. Hollins illustrated the proper moves with his arms waving back and forth – one in front, one behind – as his hips shimmied.

Horning, who recently performed the dance on Saturday Night Live with Katy Perry, reached out to Hollins after his homage. There are tentative plans to bring the Georgia native to an Eagles game and for Horning and Hollins to do the dance together for a video.

"A lot of guys can't do it," Hollins said, "They think it's easy."