Images: Naperville native Owen Daniels heads to his first Super Bowl
After 10 seasons in the NFL, Naperville native Owen Daniels will play in his first Super Bowl when the Denver Broncos play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Daniels, 33, was a star quarterback when he led Naperville Central to a state title and unbeaten record in 1999. After a serious knee injury at Wisconsin, he switched to playing tight end. Daniels was drafted by Houston in 2006. He played one season for Baltimore before signing with Denver this season.
In this Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, file photo, Denver Broncos tight end Owen Daniels (81) catches a 21-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Peyton Manning during the first half the AFC championship NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Denver. Peyton Manning and Cam Newton recognize the importance of having a tight end with whom they are, well, tight. Both have the right guys in this Super Bowl in Denver's Owen Daniels and Carolina's Greg Olsen.
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Owen Daniels takes pictures as he is introduced during Opening Night for the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, in San Jose, Calif.
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Denver Broncos' Owen Daniels answers a question during Opening Night for the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, in San Jose, Calif.
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Denver Broncos tight end Owen Daniels looks on during an NFL football practice at the team's headquarters Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, in Englewood, Colo. The Broncos are preparing to face the Carolina Panthers in the Super Bowl.
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At left, in a Jan. 24, 2016, file photo, Denver Broncos tight end Owen Daniels (81) catches a 12-yard touchdown pass during the first half the NFL football AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots, in Denver. At center, in a Dec. 14, 2014, file photo, Baltimore Ravens tight end Owen Daniels (81) celebrates his touchdown reception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Baltimore. At right, in an Oct. 25, 2009, file photo, Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels (81) runs against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter of a NFL football game in Houston. Tight end Owen Daniels has spent his entire career working for Gary Kubiak, first in Houston, then last year in Baltimore and now in Denver, where he served as a tutor for the zone blocking scheme. Now, the two are heading to their first Super Bowl.
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Denver Broncos tight end Owen Daniels (81) catches a 12-yard touchdown pass while being defended by New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins (91) during the first half the NFL football AFC Championship game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, in Denver.
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Denver Broncos tight end Owen Daniels (81) celebrates after scoring on a 12-yard touchdown pass during the first half the NFL football AFC Championship game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, in Denver.
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Denver Broncos tight end Owen Daniels celebrates after catching a 21-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Peyton Manning during the first half the NFL football AFC Championship game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, in Denver.
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Denver Broncos tight ends Vernon Davis, right, and Owen Daniels wait in line to run routes during an NFL football practice, Friday, Jan. 22, 2016, at the team's headquarters in Englewood, Colo. The Broncos will host the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game Sunday in Denver.
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Denver Broncos tight end Owen Daniels watches during warm ups before an NFL football divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016, in Denver.
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Denver Broncos tight end Owen Daniels (81) runs the ball against Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Chicago.
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Denver Broncos tight end Owen Daniels (81) catches a pass during pre game warm ups before an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, in Denver.
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Denver Broncos tight end Owen Daniels looks on from the sidelines during an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, in Denver.
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Denver Broncos tight end Owen Daniels (81) signals first down against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, in Denver.
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Denver Broncos tight end Owen Daniels smiles during an OTA Monday, June 15, 2015, in Englewood, Colo.
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