Colton Underwood

Colton Underwood became a national figure through his appearances on network television shows, but early on his notoriety came from his football ability.

He was a dominant defensive end for the Panthers and was the 2009 Peoria Journal Star Defensive Player of the Year. He played his college football at Illinois State University and was an All-American player for the Redbirds.

After college his aspirations turned to the NFL, and although he wasn’t drafted, he had several stints on the practice squads of the San Diego Charges, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Oakland Raiders.

While with the Raiders, Underwood started dating Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman, which really was the catalyst of his national exposure.

In 2017 Underwood hung up the shoulder pads for the last time due to a shoulder injury and at the time was focusing on his Colton Underwood Legacy Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis and his 4^th and Goal restaurant which he had purchased in Washington.

In 2018, everything changed for Underwood. He agreed to be a contestant on the ABC television show “The Bachelorette.” A few months later, Underwood appeared on “Bachelor in Paradise,” and then was cast as the main focus of the next season of “The Bachelor,” all in the span of six months, making him a national figure.

In 2021, Underwood was the focus of a Netflix mini-series “Coming out Colton,” which detailed his journey of revealing his sexuality to his family and friends.

Underwood’s Legacy Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis is still fighting the fight and to date has raised almost $500,000 for its cause.