Steve Owens

1969 Heisman Trophy winner Steve Owens, shattered 13 major school records, nine Big Eight standards and seven NCAA marks in his collegiate career at the University of Oklahoma.

Owens held a three-year OU career rushing record with 3,867 yards, as well as the most points in a year and most points in a career. He set records never equaled by rushing that NCAA record 358 times his Heisman year, giving him the career NCAA rushing attempts record of 905. Owens was an accomplished tailback at OU and successful at the I-Formation.

His 56 career touchdowns were also an NCAA record. He was named both the A.P. and UPI Back of the Year in 1969, Football Coach Back of the Year in 1969, Consensus All-American and Big Eight Back of the Year in 1968 and 1969. Owens was also named All Big Eight Conference from 1967-1969 and Big Eight Sophomore of the Year in 1967.

Owens was a first round draft choice for the Detroit Lions where he spent six seasons in the NFL. He played in 53 games from 1970-1974 and had 635 carries for 2,451 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was the first Lion to rush for more than 1,000 yards, rushing for 1,035 yards and 8 touchdowns in 1971. That year he was selected to the Pro-Bowl and named All-Pro.

He was also accomplished in providing outreach to charitable organizations including the Ronald McDonald house, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Cystic Fibrosis. Born in Gore, Oklahoma in 1947, Owens was also named Oklahoma High School Football Player of the Year, High School All-American and Oklahoma All-State football in 1965.