He was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the first round (ninth overall pick) of the 1981 NFL draft.
[2] As a redshirt freshman and sophomore, he started a total of three games for the 1977 and 1978 Michigan Wolverines football teams.
[6] As a senior, Owens started 11 of 12 games at outside linebacker for the 1980 Michigan Wolverines football team that compiled a 10–2 record, finished #4 in the AP and UPI polls, and outscored opponents 322 to 129.
[8] The Los Angeles Rams selected Owens with the ninth overall pick in the 1981 NFL draft.
[1] After a brief holdout, Owens in late July 1981 signed a series of three one-year contracts with the Rams.
In 1986, Owens was an honorable mention All-Pro by the Associated Press as the Rams defense ranked in the NFL's top five for the second consecutive season.
[8] Owens was involved in several business ventures in Los Angeles, including a line of clothing called "Evolution Wear".
In 1987, he ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, in the 1987 off-season and also competed in the 1987 Los Angeles Marathon.
[8] Following his time as an NFL player, Owens obtained a Series 7 License and worked as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch.