Former NFL player and current Bachelor star, Colton Underwood, is opening up about his relationship with Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman, who he calls his ‘first love.’

The 26-year-old Underwood, who dated the 24-year-old Raisman from August 2016 to April 2017, was asked who his ‘worst heartbreak’ was on the Lady Gang podcast, indicating it was Raisman.

‘While it was confusing and hard in the beginning, it also taught me a lot about myself, what I need, what I want, what I can do better in a relationship,’ Underwood added.  

‘It was, like, a big growing, a big step for me. It was really tough,’ Underwood added.  

Underwood has rarely discussed his relationship with Raisman in the past, telling US Weekly in July that he didn’t want to do so in the wake of the Larry Nasser scandal.  

‘To be very candid about it, she’s going through enough right now. She doesn’t deserve to be in this at all,’ he said about Raisman, who was one of 141 women who accused him of sexual misconduct.

‘I have so much love and respect for Aly and the voice that she is and the role model that she is for every young woman out there,’ he added.

He also praised her powerful speech at the ESPY Awards, where she addressed Nasser’s behavior while standing in solidarity with the other survivors.

‘Unbelievable,’ Underwood said of her speech. ‘She and all of her friends — and everything they have done — has honestly moved our society in such a positive way and such a positive direction.’

Indianapolis native Underwood played college football for the Indiana State Redbirds before heading to the NFL as an undrafted free agent.

He played on the practice squad for a number of NFL teams such as the San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles and the Oakland Raiders. 

Check out some pics of his Ex below: 

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