Nov. 17--With Peyton Manning ruled out for Sunday's game at Soldier Field, the Bears will face Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler. Who? Here are 10 things to know about the guy from Arizona State.
1. At 6-foot-8, Osweiler shares the distinction of being the tallest quarterback in NFL history with former Seahawk Dan McGwire. He also is tied for the tallest player in Broncos history.
2. Osweiler originally committed to play basketball at Gonzaga, but once his football highlight reel made the rounds, he became a hot commodity, and he ultimately switched to Arizona State. "It wasn't until spring my junior year when I had an epiphany," he said. "I was sitting in my computer class and was doing some research on ASU -- and probably not paying attention like I was supposed to. ... All of a sudden I knew I was supposed to play football, and I knew I was going to Arizona State."
3. In 15 games over four seasons as a pro, Osweiler has completed 31 passes (54 attempts), but nearly half of them (14) came in relief of Manning on Sunday against the Chiefs.
4. Osweiler's first NFL start will come on his 25th birthday.
5. Osweiler accidentally ignored Peyton Manning's tweet congratulating him on draft day in 2012. He was chosen in the second round (57th overall). It wasn't until he was boarding a plane later that he finally noticed it. "I was like, 'Oh, shoot! Peyton Manning!' "
6. When Osweiler first joined the Broncos, he wore No. 6, the same number Jay Cutler wore with the Broncos and wears with the Bears. Osweiler later changed to No. 17.
7. Osweiler grew up in Kalispell, Montana, and once described his hometown area as half Seahawks country, half Broncos country. "Probably more Broncos, since they have a longer history of winning," Osweiler said.
8. As a child, Osweiler used to stand in 3 feet of snow and throw footballs at a tree outside his house in Montana.
9. In 2014, the NFLPA named him a Community MVP, in part for his volunteer work at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children.
10. Osweiler and girlfriend Erin Costales got married in February. "We had a wonderful time on our honeymoon," Osweiler told the Denver Post. "But when we got back, I couldn't sit still." He said he was "burning" to show everyone what he can do. Now he'll get his chance.
Sources: Associated Press, East Valley (Mesa, Ariz.) Tribune, Daily Inter Lake (Kalispell, Montana), pro-football-reference.com, NFLPA, the Denver Post, the Colorado Springs Gazette
