C. J. Beathard
A resilient NFL quarterback known for his toughness, who authored one of Iowa's most thrilling victories and became a trusted veteran backup.
Born 1993 (age 33)·American football player·Birthday: November 16·Millennials
Biography
C.J. Beathard's football story is one of grit over glamour. At Iowa, he wasn't a five-star recruit but became a folk hero by playing through a sports hernia to lead the Hawkeyes to an undefeated regular season in 2015, capped by a last-second, game-winning touchdown pass against Michigan State. Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, his early career was a baptism by fire, starting games behind struggling offensive lines and taking a physical pounding. While he never secured a long-term starting job, he earned universal respect for his willingness to stand in the pocket and take hits. He later found a niche as a cerebral and prepared backup in Jacksonville, valued for his knowledge of the system and steady presence in the quarterback room, embodying the essential role of a career journeyman.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
C. was born in 1993, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When C. Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
C.'s Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Led the University of Iowa Hawkeyes to an undefeated 12-0 regular season and a Big Ten Championship game appearance in 2015.
- Threw the game-winning touchdown pass as time expired to beat Michigan State in the 2015 Big Ten Championship game.
- Was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round (104th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.
- Started 12 games across his first three NFL seasons, showing notable durability under pressure.
Did You Know?
His grandfather, Bobby Beathard, is a Hall of Fame NFL executive who built Super Bowl-winning teams for the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins.
He is an accomplished musician and has played guitar and sung in a band with his brothers called 'Sons of Beathard.'
In college, he played through a painful sports hernia injury for much of the 2015 season.
He is known for having a very quick release when throwing the football.
“I just try to be the same guy every day and go to work.”
