1976 Profile: Burgess Owens

Strong Safety
No. 22
Miami
"One of the bright lights in a dismal 1975 season for a defense which gave up 2,719 passing yards, Owens led the secondary for the second straight year with three interceptions. He started 11 games in the secondary, nine at strong safety and two at left cornerback. Owens broke the little toe in his left foot in a preseason game with the Redskins, then suffered a torn tendon in his left knee against Miami, missing the next three games including three home appearances. He gained two of his three 1975 interceptions in the second victory over New England; his first came against Miami.
Burgess picked off two Bert Jones aerials and ran 29 yards for a touchdown in the season finale of 1974. He also scored a touchdown on a blocked punt recovery against the Colts in the first meeting. His other interception came against the Patriots.
He was the Jets Rookie of the Year as selected by sportswriters in 1973. Burgess provided Jets fans with one of 1973's most exciting plays when he returned a kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown against Denver in the home opener. He was selected all-rookie by UPI and Pro Football Weekly. Burgess was drafted No. 1 in 1973 as a cornerback but because of injuries to other players, has never played regularly as a cornerback.
Burgess started 33 consecutive games at strong safety before his injury problem in 1975; he has a new streak at four. He has great speed and range for a defensive back and is a solid tackler boasting size and strength. Owens may be tried at cornerback in 1976 if No. 2 pick Shafer Suggs matures in time.
In college, Owens was [selected] All-America by the Sporting News and second team by the NEA. He had 160 tackles, eight interceptions and three fumble recoveries during his career, and played primarily at left cornerback. He majored in marine biology and plans to go into dentistry.
Burgess was an offensive halfback in high school, gaining over 1,500 yards with 19 touchdowns. He lives in Hempstead, New York during the off-season and is active as a banquet speaker. He's a member of the Jets' basketball team. His father is a professor of agronomy at Florida A&M. His hometown is Tallahassee, Florida."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide