While his current uniform boasts a bold purple and gold, at his core, Owen Daniels will always bleed red and white. An accomplished professional athlete with an impressive resume, he remains closely tied to the home foundation that made it possible for him to take flight, first as a Naperville Central Redhawk and most recently as a Baltimore Raven.A three-sport athlete and National Honor Society member, Daniels gave his all in every arena. Whether he was pounding the hardwood as a starting center for the basketball team or pushing the limits as a long jumper on the track and field team, Daniels made a definitive impact on teammates, coaches, and fans alike. A fierce competitor intensely loyal to his teams, he pushed himself to achieve at every opportunity and positively encouraged his teammates to do the same.As quarterback, Daniels led Naperville Central to an undefeated season in 1999 and its first ever IHSA Class 6A State Championship, an achievement and experience that tops the highlight reel of his high school career. His performance earned him Prep Football Report and PrepStar All-American honors, and he was named a Top 100 Prospect. A two-time captain who completed 30 of 35 passes for 582 yards and 7 touchdowns in just the opening two games of his senior year, Daniels suffered a knee injury that would sideline him for the rest of the season. Though physically on the sidelines, Daniels remained a force on the field, providing essential support, guidance and heart, rallying his teammates in their eager pursuit of a repeat championship. While a second trophy wasn’t meant to be, Daniels views his team experience as the greatest gift of that senior season. He recounted in an interview with fellow 2001 grad Blake Baumgartner for Positively Naperville, “That’s not the script I would’ve written […] obviously things happen for a reason […] You’ve got to find lessons and silver linings.” Daniels learned many lessons in his years at Naperville Central and taught others by his example of hard work, persistence, and perseverance.Daniels refused to let an injury hiccup dim his dreams and was thrilled to find himself trading one red and white uniform for another at the University of Wisconsin. As a Badger, Daniels saw action in 43 career games. A wide receiver and tight end, he caught 62 passes for 852 yards and 8 touchdowns. An eager student on the field game and in the classroom, Daniels earned Academic All-Big Ten Conference honors in 2002. As a junior, Daniels received All-Big Ten Conference Honorable Mention recognition, finishing second on the team with 25 receptions for 391 yards and 2 touchdowns. During his senior year, Daniels made eight starts, finishing fourth on the team with 22 catches for 268 yards before sustaining an ankle injury. Again, Daniels faced the challenge with grace and grit, serving his team in every way possible while continuing to push himself personally, athletically, and academically. Daniels’ hard work and focus paid off, as he graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences. In 2006, he was selected in the fourth round of the NFL draft, the 98th pick overall, selected by the Houston Texans. He was named to the 2006 Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie team and was a two-time NFL Pro Bowl selection, becoming the first Texan in history to score in an NFL Pro Bowl. Daniels is the Texans’ career leader in receptions and receiving yards at tight end. In 2014, Daniels was acquired by the Baltimore Ravens. To date, Daniels holds the longest active streak of any NFL tight end with 99 consecutive games with at least one reception.Daniels is as committed to community service as he is to his teams. Through his foundation in Houston, Daniels works with Texas Children’s Hospital, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, and the Shriners Hospital for Children. A special favorite cause is Walmart’s “Operation North Pole.” Daniels has enthusiastically joined in the philanthropic work of the Ravens’ organization, most recently partnering with Parks and People Foundation to clean up and serve the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood of Baltimore. It’s important for Daniels to contribute to the communities he calls home, a mindset of service he learned early from his parents.Though football allowed Daniels to take flight across the country, he always kept an eye on home, especially as siblings Meredith, Harrison and Hayden took their turns as Redhawk athletes. Reflecting on his start in Memorial Stadium, Daniels can’t help but smile. As he told Baumgartner at the close of his interview, “I’m Hawks, baby! Hawks for life.”