Tom Beck

Thomas D. Beck (born May 5, 1974) is an American former football player. A quarterback, he played college football for the Northern Colorado Bears and led them to a victory in the 1996 NCAA Division II national championship game. He signed with the Denver Broncos after going unselected in the 1997 NFL draft, and competed for a backup quarterback spot on the team. After being released by the Broncos, Beck had a brief stint with the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe in 1998. He was later a member of the Chicago Bears' practice squad during the 1998 NFL season. He ended his pro football career by starting one game for the Portland Forest Dragons of the Arena Football League (AFL) in 1999. Beck was inducted into Northern Colorado's athletics hall of fame in 2004.

Early life Thomas D. Beck was born on May 5, 1974, in Castro Valley, California. He became the starting quarterback as a sophomore. Northern Colorado Bears football coach Kay Dalton had shown interest in Beck since his sophomore year in high school. He saw limited playing time from 1993 to 1994 as the backup to John Roberts. Beck became the starter in 1995 after Roberts graduated. During the 1995 regular season, Beck threw for 2,239 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He helped Northern Colorado finish with a regular season record of 9–2, advancing to the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs where they lost to Pittsburg State by a score of 36–17. Beck garnered second-team All-North Central Conference (NCC) recognition for his performance during the 1995 season.

As a senior in 1996, Beck completed 184 of 354 passes (52.0%) for 2,303 yards and 19 touchdowns while also rushing for eight touchdowns. He finished his college career with totals of 5,121 passing yards, 43 touchdown passes, 407 rushing yards, and ten rushing touchdowns.

Professional career Prior to the 1997 NFL draft, Beck worked out for over a dozen NFL teams at Northern Colorado's campus. The Oakland Raiders also showed interest in signing him.

On February 18, 1998, Beck was selected by the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe with the 130th overall pick in the 1998 NFL Europe draft. He practiced at quarterback, kickoff coverage, tight end, wide receiver, tailback, and fullback while with the Claymores.

Beck later signed with the Buffalo Destroyers of the Arena Football League (AFL) for the 1999 season. However, on December 16, 1998, he was signed to the Chicago Bears' practice squad after Moses Moreno suffered an ankle injury. At the time the Bears called Beck, he had been working as a residential loan officer in Greeley. Beck played in two preseason games for Buffalo, completing three of eight passes for 19 yards. He was released on April 19, 1999, before the start of the regular season. Guidry suffered a career-ending spinal injury on May 8, making Beck the starter for the team's next game on May 17, 1999, against the New Jersey Gladiators. Against New Jersey, Beck completed nine of 22 passes for 86 yards while also rushing twice for 33 yards and one touchdown. He was replaced by Harry Leons in the fourth quarter. Beck then left the team.

Personal life Beck's great-great-great grandfather, William Allen Montgomery, was the president of Carson and Newman College from 1888 to 1892. Beck grew up a fan of John Elway and the Denver Broncos. He also started his own mortgage and financial planning business.