Cogdell-Unrein and husband fueled by mutual competitiveness

FILE - At left, in a 2016, file photo, is Chicago Bears NFL football player Mitch Unrein. At right, in a May 14, 2012, file photo, shooting athlete Corey Cogdell poses for a portrait at the 2012 Team USA Media Summit in Dallas. When they finally met, without knowing much about each other, they found a kindred spirit standing in front of them, someone who had many of the same interests, was uncommonly driven and had reached the pinnacle of their chosen athletic endeavor. They married less than three years later, creating a power couple of elite athletes. (AP Photo/File) FILE - At left, in a 2016, file photo, is Chicago Bears NFL football player Mitch Unrein. At right, in a May 14, 2012, file photo, shooting athlete Corey Cogdell poses for a portrait at the 2012 Team USA Media Summit in Dallas. When they finally met, without knowing much about each other, they found a kindred spirit standing in front of them, someone who had many of the same interests, was uncommonly driven and had reached the pinnacle of their chosen athletic endeavor. They married less than three years later, creating a power couple of elite athletes. (AP Photo/File)

By Associated Press August 3, 2016 4 min read

Olympic shooter Corey Cogdell brushed aside a friend’s constant pleadings to go on a blind date for as long as she could before finally relenting.

Mitch Unrein, a defensive end for the Chicago Bears, similarly stiff-armed the I’ve-got-the-perfect-girl-for-you beseechings until eventually giving in.

When they finally did meet, without knowing much about each other, they found a kindred spirit standing in front of them, someone who had many of the same interests, was uncommonly driven and had reached the pinnacle of their chosen athletic endeavor.

They married less than three years later, creating a power couple of elite athletes.

“It was an easy relationship from the start,” Unrein said.