Okay, let’s settle this once and for all. You’re scrolling, you see the name Colton Underwood, and a little buzzer goes off in your brain. You think: football? Wait, didn’t he play in the NFL? Or was he just on that rose-filled reality show?
The short answer? Yes, he absolutely did play football. But no, he wasn’t some star quarterback you’d see in the Super Bowl highlight reel. He was more of a “scrappy special teams guy who might surprise you” kind of player.
Colton’s football career was real, but it was also very specific. Imagine being a fan of a team and seeing a number on the field you don’t recognize. That was Colton. He was an undrafted free agent who had to fight for every single inch.
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The College Gridiron Grind
Before the roses and the tear-filled conversations, Colton was a three-star recruit out of high school in Illinois. He went to Illinois State University, which is a big-time Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) school. Think of it as the college football equivalent of a great indie band that never quite hits the Billboard Top 10.
He wasn’t a flashy player. He didn’t throw for 4,000 yards. He was a tight end and a linebacker, which is like being a Swiss Army knife—you do a little bit of everything. His senior year, he caught six passes for 80 yards. That’s not a typo. He was a blocker, a grinder, a guy who did the dirty work.
But here’s the thing: NFL scouts love versatility. They love a guy who can hit hard on special teams. And Colton had that dog in him. He wasn’t going to be a star, but he could be a weapon on coverage units.
The NFL Tryout Adventure
After college, Colton didn’t get drafted. That’s not an insult—most players don’t. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers in 2014. Imagine getting that call: “Hey, we want you to show up and try to make the team.”
Colton Underwood Nfl Record
He went to training camp and immediately knew he was in a different world. He was lining up against future Hall of Famers. But he wasn’t there to get autographs. He was there to earn a job.
He played in the preseason, mostly on special teams. He made some tackles. He even impressed the coaches enough to hang around until the final cuts. But the Chargers roster was loaded. They had Antonio Gates, Ladarius Green, and other tight ends with more experience.
So he got released. It stings, right? But the adventure wasn’t over.
A few months later, the Philadelphia Eagles gave him a shot. He signed with their practice squad in 2015. Being on a practice squad is like being the understudy in a Broadway show. You practice, you hit, you run the scout team, but you’re one injury away from getting called up.
What NFL team did Colton Underwood play for?
Spoiler: he never got that call. He spent time with the Eagles, then the Oakland Raiders, and then the Carolina Panthers in 2016. In total, he bounced around four teams. And here’s the kicker—he never played in a regular season NFL game.
So Did He “Play” in the NFL?
Technically? Yes. He participated in NFL training camps, practice squads, and preseason games. He wore an NFL helmet. He got paid NFL money (though not the celebrity contract you’re thinking of). But if you’re asking if he ever scored a touchdown on a Sunday afternoon? No. He didn’t log a single regular-season snap.
He’ll tell you himself, “I was an NFL player. Not a star, but a player.” And honestly, that’s still a huge accomplishment. The NFL is a cutthroat world of 1,696 roster spots. He got close enough to smell the grass. Most college players can’t even do that.
I mean, the guy had to go through the exact same training camp as Philip Rivers and Cam Newton. He got tackled by real defensive linemen. He wasn’t just a TV prop. He earned his spot for a brief moment.
The Real Reason Colton Underwood's NFL Career Didn't Last Long
The Reality TV Rebrand
After football fizzled, Colton did what any logical former practice-squad tight end would do: he became a Bachelor. Yes, he went from hitting sleds to handing out roses on national television. It’s a career pivot so wild it almost sounds fake.
But here’s the funny part: his football background actually helped him on the show. He was disciplined, competitive, and used to handling pressure. He didn’t cry when his season got dramatic—okay, he did cry, but he cried like an athlete. He gave it his all.
He even joked about his NFL career on the show. He’d say things like, “I’ve been tackled by 300-pound men. I can handle a tough conversation.” Honestly, it made him more likable.
And then he went through a very public coming-out story, which took even more courage than any football workout. He proved that your past doesn’t define you. You can be a football guy, a reality star, and a proud gay man all in one lifetime. That’s a win bigger than any game.
What NFL team did Colton Underwood play for? | The US Sun
The Final Verdict
So, did Colton Underwood play in the NFL? Sort of, but not really in the way most people imagine. He was an NFL hopeful. He was a camp body. He was a practice squad warrior. He’s not in the record books, but he’s in the fraternity of guys who tried.
And now? He’s living his life out loud, being happy, and probably not missing those 6 a.m. lifts in the rain. He took the lessons from football—discipline, resilience, and doing the dirty work—and applied them to his new chapter.
Here’s the uplifting part: You don’t have to be a Super Bowl champion to be a winner. Colton Underwood didn’t have a single NFL carry, but he’s got more tackles of life’s curveballs than most. He went from the gridiron to the red carpet to living his truth, and he’s doing it with a smile.
So next time someone asks, “Did Colton Underwood play in the NFL?” you can say, “He sure tried, and he came out with a better story than most.” And honestly? That’s a touchdown in my book.