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Entertainment • Reality TV

Colton Underwood

Colton Scott Brown-Underwood is an American reality television personality and former professional football player.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Colton Scott Brown-Underwood is an American reality television personality and former professional football player. He is best known for appearing on The Bachelorette and later serving as the lead of The Bachelor. In 2021, he publicly came out as gay, becoming the first lead in Bachelor franchise history to do so.

Early life and football career

Underwood was born in Indianapolis and grew up in Illinois. He played college football as a defensive end/tight end at Illinois State and later signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He spent time on the practice squads of the Oakland Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles before moving into reality television.

Reality television career

He became nationally known as a contestant on The Bachelorette in 2018. He later starred as the lead of The Bachelor for its 23rd season in 2019.

Public coming out

In April 2021, Underwood publicly came out as gay in an interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America. This made him the first lead from the Bachelor franchise to come out publicly as gay.

Personal life

Underwood married Jordan C. Brown in 2023. The couple had a son via surrogate in 2024.

Key facts

  • Underwood played college football at Illinois State and signed with the San Diego Chargers in 2014.
  • He appeared on The Bachelorette and later became the lead of The Bachelor season 23.
  • He came out as gay in 2021, the first Bachelor lead to do so.
  • He married Jordan C. Brown in 2023.
  • They have a son born via surrogate in 2024.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Colton Underwood?
He is an American reality television personality and former professional football player best known for The Bachelorette and The Bachelor.
What is Colton Underwood known for in The Bachelor franchise?
He was a contestant on The Bachelorette and later the lead of The Bachelor season 23.
When did Colton Underwood come out as gay?
He came out publicly in April 2021 during a Good Morning America interview.
What was Colton Underwood's sports background?
He played college football at Illinois State and later signed with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent.
Is Colton Underwood married?
Yes. He is married to Jordan C. Brown.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colton_Underwood
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, football background, reality TV career, and status as the first Bachelor franchise lead to come out as gay.
  2. LGBT History Month — https://lgbthistorymonth.com/sites/default/files/icon_multimedia_pdfs/2024/Underwood-LGBT_HistoryMonthBios2024%2029.pdf
    Supports: Biography, public coming out, and recognition as the first Bachelor franchise lead to come out as gay.
  3. Us Weekly — https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrities/colton-underwood/
    Supports: Birthplace, relationship status, Good Morning America coming-out interview, marriage, and child.
  4. All American Speakers — https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/celebritytalentbios/Colton+Underwood/440252
    Supports: Football career, The Bachelorette, The Bachelor, coming out, and philanthropic work.
  5. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/17047/colton-underwood
    Supports: NFL bio, position, college, and birthplace.