Colton Underwood

Underwood was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Scott and Donna Underwood. Both of his parents were star athletes at Illinois State University, Scott played college football for the Illinois State Redbirds and Donna played volleyball. Underwood moved to Washington, Illinois when he was 5 years old and attended St. Patrick Grade school until 6th grade, then Central Grade School, and then Washington Community High School (class of 2010). His parents divorced in 2013 and moved to Denver, CO. He has a younger brother, Connor, and several step-siblings as a result of his parents' second marriages. Underwood graduated from Illinois State University, where he followed his father's footsteps to play college football for the Illinois State Redbirds.

On May 10, 2014, Underwood was signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Diego Chargers. On August 30, 2014, he was waived. On September 3, 2014, Underwood was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad. On September 9, 2014, he was released from practice squad.

On September 23, 2014, Underwood returned to the Chargers and was signed to their practice squad. On December 29, 2014, he signed a future contract. On September 5, 2015, he was waived. On September 6, 2015, he was placed on injured reserve. On September 10, 2015, he was waived from injured reserve.

On December 1, 2015, Underwood was signed to the Raiders' practice squad. On August 29, 2016, he was released by the Raiders.

In January 2016, Underwood founded the Colton Underwood Legacy Foundation to raise money for cystic fibrosis research and medical equipment. Although not named after her, Underwood started the foundation in honor of his cousin Harper, who was diagnosed with the disease at 4 years old.

On September 4, 2018, ABC announced Underwood would star in the 23rd season of The Bachelor. The announcement received mixed reactions on social media.

On September 21, 2018, ABC announced that Colton had started filming The Bachelor and had already met three of his contestants on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

In January 2018, the foundation began the Legacy Project, with the goal of delivering Afflovests (chest wall oscillation devices which clear excess mucus from lung airways as part of the daily treatment for cystic fibrosis) to children in 50 US States.

On March 20, 2020, Underwood said he had tested positive for COVID-19. On September 11, 2020, Randolph filed a restraining order against Underwood, alleging that he stalked her outside her Los Angeles apartment and her parents' Huntington Beach house, that he sent harassing text messages using an anonymous number, and that he installed a tracking device underneath her car. Randolph was granted a temporary restraining order against Underwood ahead of the October hearing.

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