Education
Utecht graduated from Hastings Senior High School in Hastings, Minnesota where he helped lead the Raiders to three State Semi-Final or Finals appearances.
Utecht graduated from Hastings Senior High School in Hastings, Minnesota where he helped lead the Raiders to three State Semi-Final or Finals appearances.
Utecht was a tight end for the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Bengals. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Minnesota.
Utecht has also played for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Utecht became a four-year starter at the University of Minnesota, starting 35 of 44 games and playing in the Music City Bowl. Indianapolis Colts He signed as a free agent with the Colts on April 30, 2004.
Utecht did not see much action in the 2004 and 2005 seasons. His best season was the 2006 season, with 37 receptions for 377 yards.
In the 2006 postseason, Utecht had 5 receptions for 41 yards.
In 2007, he caught 31 receptions for 364 yards and a touchdown. Utecht became a restricted free agent in the 2008 offseason. Cincinnati Bengals On March 14, the Cincinnati Bengals signed him to an offer sheet believed to be worth $9 million over three seasons.
Prior to the start of the 2009 season, Utecht suffered a concussion during practice, which was aired on the Home Box Office Television show "Hard Knocks".
On August 31, 2009, Utecht was placed on the injured reserve list for the Cincinnati Bengals. He was released on November 17 with an injury settlement.
– receiving statistics Singing career Following his fifth concussion, Utecht ended his football career to focus on a second career in music He maintained an interest in performing throughout high school, college and his professional football career and had intended to pursue a musical career after football.
Utecht has recorded several albums including a Christmas album for which he was nominated for a 2012 Dove Award.
He also went on tour in January 2012 and was featured on the cover of the March/April 2012 issue of Making Music Magazine.
The Colts had seven days to match the contract and retain Utecht, but the March 21 deadline passed and Utecht became a member of the Bengals.