He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, where he won the 1969 Heisman Trophy and was named to the All-American team.

[1] He also established the career rushing record of 3,867 yards that stood for two years until Ed Marinaro broke it in 1971.

[3] In 2006, the university erected a bronze statue of Owens on its campus in Heisman Park, commemorating his 1969 award.

The Detroit Lions chose Owens in the first round (nineteenth overall) in the 1970 NFL draft, and he signed in June.

On Thanksgiving in 1974 at Tiger Stadium, Owens opened the game with 46 yards in four carries but went down in the first quarter with ligament damage to his left knee.