Name John Rowser Weight 86 kg | Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Games played: 127 Education University of Michigan | |
Date of birth: (1944-04-24) April 24, 1944 (age 71) NFL draft: 1967 / Round: 3 / Pick: 78 | ||
John Rowser: Football Defensive Back
John Felix Rowser (born April 24, 1944) was an American football player. He played college football for the University of Michigan as a halfback and cornerback from 1963 to 1966. He also played professional football as a defensive back for ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL) from 1967 to 1976. He was a part of the Green Bay Packers Super Bowl II championship team. During his 10 years in the NFL, Rowser appeared in 127 games, 79 as a starter, and intercepted 26 passes for 444 return yards and four touchdowns. He also recovered six fumbles.
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Early years
Rowswer was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1944. He attended Eastern High School in Detroit, Michigan.
University of Michigan
Rowser enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1962 and played college football for head coach Bump Elliott's Michigan Wolverines football teams from 1963 to 1966. As a senior, he started all 10 games at cornerback and three games at left halfback for the 1966 Michigan Wolverines football team that compiled a 6-4 record, outscored opponents 236-138, and finished in third place in the Big Ten Conference. Used principally on defense, he gained only 82 yards on 24 carries (3.4 yards per carry) as an offensive player.
Professional football
Rowser was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the third round (78th overall pick) of the 1967 NFL Draft. He signed with the Packers in March 1967, and appeared in 42 regular season games for the Packers from 1967 to 1969 and also played for the Packers in Super Bowl II victory over the Oakland Raiders.
In March 1970, the Packers traded Rowser to Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for tight end John Hilton. Rowser played for the Steelers for four years from 1970 to 1973, appearing in 47 games, including 42 as the team's starting left cornerback.
In 1974, Rowser joined the Denver Broncos. He remained with the Broncos for three seasons from 1974 to 1976, appearing in 38 games, including 37 games as a starter at the left cornerback (1974) and free safety (1975-1976) positions. Rowser cleared waivers and was released by the Broncos in June 1977.
During his 10 years in the NFL, Rowser appeared in 127 games, 79 as a starter, and intercepted 26 passes for 444 return yards and four touchdowns. He also recovered six fumbles.