Landon Collins couldn’t say goodbye to the Giants as easily as they said goodbye to him.

So, Collins still is honoring his commitment to co-host the annual charity softball game that bears his name and brings together dozens of Giants greats past and present. It will be a way to raise money for the local community and see old friends before truly experiencing the other side of a rivalry.

Collins signed a six-year, $84 million contract with the Redskins, after the Giants decided to let him go in free agency rather than sign him to a long-term extension or even apply the one-year franchise tag.

“I’m starting a new chapter and I’m on a good team," Collins told NJ Advance Media. “When I left the Giants, I was kind of heartbroken. I loved the Giants. When I started there, I wanted to finish there.

“I wanted to be one of those guys to finish his career on one team. They didn’t give me the opportunity to do that. It’s a business. I can’t do anything about that.”

Collins didn’t cause any trouble last offseason as the Giants prioritized Odell Beckham’s contract extension, but then negotiations never began even as he was open to listening during the season. He was the subject of trade talks in October, only eight weeks or so after earning his much-desired status as a co-captain.

“They never made an offer,” Collins said. “I knew when they were about to trade me how it was going to go. Very, very eye-opening.”

Collins led the Giants in tackles in each of his four seasons and was a three-time Pro Bowler, including in 2018 when he missed the final four games to a shoulder injury.

To keep him in the NFC East, the Redskins gave Collins the largest total contract ever ($45 million of the $84 million is guaranteed) for a NFL safety.

Giants owner John Mara said it was extremely difficult to lose a homegrown talent like Collins but they foresaw the market going higher than the value they placed on him.

“I’ve got a lot of motivation for the next six years,” Collins said.

The Landon Collins Celebrity Softball Game pitting Giants offensive stars against defensive stars (format changed) will be held Palisades Credit Union Park in Pomona, N.Y. on June 8. Festivities start with a dodgeball game at 5 p.m., home run derby at 6 p.m. and the softball at 7 p.m.

“At the end of the day, when I was a Giant or if I’m not a Giant, I feel like I’m a part of this community,” Collins said. “I didn’t want to shut it down and end it like that. I’ll be saying my final goodbyes to my fans and handing the baton off to somebody. I want to have a good time and be a part of something special.”

It will benefit the Westchester, N.Y.-based non-profit St. Christopher’s, which helps woman and children in need. Collins formed a personal relationship with the charity during his time with the Giants.

Collins told NJ Advance Media he had to reschedule a promotional appearance on WFAN sports talk radio from Thursday morning to Friday morning because of a cancelled flight Wednesday night. He was stuck at the airport, wearing the same clothes.

@Alsboringtweets @WFANmornings @7BOOMERESIASON @GioWFAN I can't control the airline industry flight got cancelled but to blame anybody especially @licenseplateguy is terrible. You guys are better than that. — LANDON COLLINS (@TheHumble_21) May 9, 2019

But Boomer & Gio show producer Al Dukes allegedly said Collins cancelled because Giants superfan Joe Ruback, better known as License Plate Guy, wasn’t going to be on the air, too. Ruback organizes the game and is a trusted liaison for Collins.

“It wouldn’t have happened without LPG," Collins said of the charity event. “He came up to me at the (2016) Pro Bowl and asked me about it. We kicked it off from that and we’ve had three great years of this.”

Buy Giants tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, Ticketmaster

Stadium tickets are $30, with VIP seating available for $150 to $1,050 (which includes field access). All tickets are available at www.landoncollinsgame.com.

Ryan Dunleavy may be reached at rdunleavy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rydunleavy. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.