Colton Underwood

Colton Underwood was born on Jan. 26, 1992 in Indianapolis, IN. During his tenure at Illinois State University, Underwood played football for the college team, the Redbirds, and upon graduating he entered the National Football League as an undrafted free agent for the San Diego Chargers. Underwood's career in the NFL never brought him to the field proper, however, as he bounced between the Chargers' practice squad, the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad, and the Oakland Raiders' practice squad, before ultimately being released by the latter team in 2016. Following this endeavor at an athletic career, Underwood devoted his efforts to raising money for cystic fibrosis research, founding the Colton Underwood Legacy Foundation to that end. Soon enough, Underwood changed his course and wound up a reality television star. He was cast as a contestant on the 14th season of "The Bachelorette" (ABC 2003-), only to be released from the show midway through the season. He then moved onto a role on the fifth season of "Bachelor in Paradise" (ABC 2014-), and ultimately to a starring position on the 23rd season of "The Bachelor" (ABC 2002-).