Place of birth: Syracuse, New York Weight 94 kg | Height 1.85 m Position Safety | |
Date of birth: (1965-12-02) December 2, 1965 (age 51) High school: Syracuse (NY) Christian Brothers NFL Draft: 1988 / Round: 10 / Pick: 263 College Pittsburgh Panthers football | ||
Billy Joe Owens Jr. (born December 2, 1965) is a former American football safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He also played in the Arena Football League for the Orlando Predators, Charlotte Rage, Connecticut Coyotes and Portland Forest Dragons. He played college football at the University of Pittsburgh.
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Early years
Owens attended Christian Brothers High School, where he played as a running back, wide receiver and safety. He also lettered in basketball and track.
He accepted a scholarship from the University of Pittsburgh, where he was switched between running back to safety as a freshman. The next year, he was redshirted after being lost for the season with a knee injury.
As a sophomore, he became a starter at free safety, although he was used as a backup running back in some games. He was a part of a secondary that was called "The Burnt Toast Patrol", after giving up a school record 2,283 passing yards.
As a junior, he was moved to strong safety, recording 106 tackles (fourth on the team) and 4 interceptions. In 1987, he tallied 88 tackles (fifth on the team), 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries and one interception. He also had a memorable play against Penn State University, when he returned an interception 69 yards to seal a 10-0 victory with 42 seconds remaining in the game. It was Pitt's first shutout over Penn State since 1955 (a 20-0 victory).
Dallas Cowboys
Owens was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the tenth round (263rd overall) of the 1988 NFL Draft. He made the team as a backup safety, posting 13 special teams tackles (fourth on the team), 7 defensive tackles and one sack. He was waived on September 5, 1989.
Pittsburgh Steelers
On March 19, 1990, he was signed as a free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was released on September 3.
Orlando Thunder
In 1991, he signed with the Orlando Predators of the World League of American Football. He registered 49 tackles (second on the team), 11 special teams tackles (led the team), one interception, 4 forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He was released on March 10, 1992.
Montreal Machine
On May 5, 1992, he was claimed off waivers by the Montreal Machine of the World League of American Football.
Orlando Predators
In 1993, he signed with the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League. He was declared inactive for the first four weeks. In 1994, he registered 46 receptions, 16 touchdowns, 47 tackles and 4 interceptions, however he asked for guarantees if the Predators did well in the playoffs, and the team reacted by suspending him before the semifinals game against the Massachusetts Marauders (a 51-42 win).
Charlotte Rage
On May 17, 1996, he was traded along with Reggie Robinson to the Connecticut Coyotes in exchange for Les Barley.
Portland Forest Dragons
Owens was released on March 21, 1998.