Kent State Remembers Luke Owens
12/13/2016 4:42:00โฏPM | Football
Kent State lost a legend this past weekend when football standout Luke Owens died at the age of 83.ย A key member of the Golden Flashes' first bowl team in 1954, Owens played nine seasons in the NFL.
Playing every position but quarterback, Owens was a two-way star and All-America First Team selection with the Flashes.ย In his three seasons, Kent State was 21-6-1 and 12-4-1 in Mid-American Conference play under Head Coach Trevor Rees.ย
During that time, Owens was part of a defense that posted six shutout victories.ย His multiple roles on the offense helped the 1954 team set many program records that still stand today, including scoring (36.0 ppg) and total offense (451.3 ypg). ย
"Luke was a natural leader that inspired all of us," said former Kent State teammate Allan Kaupinen.ย "At reunions, Luke was always the same friendly, outgoing guy we knew in college.ย Everyone liked Luke."
Owens was the 32ndย overall draft pick of the Baltimore Colts in 1957, the highest of any Kent State player.ย NFL draftees from 1957 ahead of Owens included names like Paul Hornung, Jim Brown and Len Dawson.ย After being traded to the Cardinals, Owens was an all-pro selection in 1963 as a defensive tackle. ย
A graduate of John Adams High School in Cleveland, Owens was inducted into Kent State's second Varsity "K" Hall of Fame class in 1980. ย That same year, he was also inducted into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame.ย Owens was a high school state champion in the shot put and discus and earned two letters in track & field at Kent State.ย
After his playing career, Owens ran a restaurant in East Cleveland and served as a manager of the Cleveland East Job Service Office.
ย "Luke was ALL football player," Kaupinen said.ย "He played every down to the Nth degree.ย He was great on offense and defense and he was the first one down the field on special teams."
Calling hours will be Friday, Dec. 16, from 5-7 p.m., at E.F. Boyd & Sons Funeral Home.ย Funeral services will be Saturday, Dec. 17, beginning 9 a.m., at East Mount Zion Baptist Church in Cleveland.
