Owen Daniels is a former American football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He was born on November 9, 1982, in Naperville, Illinois, and attended Naperville Central High School, where he played football as a wide receiver and defensive back.
After high school, Daniels attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers. He was a standout player for the Badgers, earning All-Big Ten honors in 2005 and finishing his college career with 91 receptions for 1,056 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Daniels was selected by the Houston Texans in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the team's top offensive weapons, earning a starting role in his rookie season and finishing the year with 34 receptions for 352 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Over the next several seasons, Daniels continued to be a key player for the Texans, earning two Pro Bowl selections in 2008 and 2012. He was known for his reliable hands, route-running ability, and toughness, and was a favorite target of Texans quarterback Matt Schaub.
In 2014, Daniels signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent. He had a solid season with the Ravens, catching 48 passes for 527 yards and 4 touchdowns. However, he was released by the team after just one season due to salary cap concerns.
Daniels signed with the Denver Broncos in 2015, reuniting with former Texans head coach Gary Kubiak, who was now the Broncos' head coach. He played a key role in the Broncos' Super Bowl 50 victory over the Carolina Panthers, catching a touchdown pass in the first quarter of the game.
After the Super Bowl, Daniels was released by the Broncos and became a free agent. He did not sign with another team and announced his retirement from the NFL in December 2016.
Throughout his career, Daniels was known for his consistency and reliability as a tight end. He finished his NFL career with 479 receptions for 5,661 yards and 36 touchdowns. He was also a respected leader in the locker room and was known for his work ethic and dedication to the game.
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