Owens attended Fullerton Union High School, where he played as a quarterback. After graduation he moved on to Fullerton Junior College, where he was named the starting quarterback and led the team to its first ever bowl game, the 1961 Orange Bowl Show. In his second season, he received junior college All-American honors. In 1963, he transferred to the University of Cincinnati, where he was named the starting quarterback. He posted 974 passing yards, 7 passing touchdowns, 556 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns, while ranking twelfth in the nation in total offense. He also served as a placekicker and punter. In his last year, he led the team to a 10-1 record, which were the most wins in school history. He posted 790 passing yards, 6 passing touchdowns, 658 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns. He was a passer, runner, and punter, finishing his college career with a 16-5 record, 2 Missouri Valley Conference titles, 1,764 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns, 1,214 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. In 1979, he was inducted into the University of Cincinnati Athletics Hall of Fame. In 1982, he was inducted into the Orange CountySports Hall of Fame. In 2005, he was inducted into the Fullerton College AthleticsHall of Fame.
Owens was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 1965 NFL draft, who converted him into a safety. He spent most of the year on the team's taxi squad. On August 30, 1966, he was traded along with Jake Kupp and Mitch Johnson, to the Washington Redskins in exchange for Jim Steffen and a fifth round draft choice.
Washington Redskins
In 1970, he was named the starter at strong safety. He remained with the Redskins until he retired after the 1977 season. He played a significant role in leading the 1972 squad to Super Bowl VII and had a good performance in the game, recording a key interception from Miami Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese in the end zone during the second half. One of his more memorable performances occurred on a 1966 regular season game against the New York Giants, where he scored two defensive touchdowns: a 62-yard interception return and a 62-yard fumble return. Washington ended up winning the game 72–41. To this day it is the highest scoring game in NFL history. Owens holds the record for most interception return yards in Redskins history and is second all-time for the Redskins in career interceptions. Three of his interceptions were returned for touchdowns. He also recovered ten fumbles, returning them for 143 yards and two touchdowns. He was inducted into the Redskins' Ring of Fame.
