1969 - 35th Award
Steve Owens
Oklahoma Back

While playing football at the University of Oklahoma, Steve Owens was All-American for two years; All Big Eight conference in 1967, 1968 and 1969; and Big 8 Player of the Year in 1968 and 1969. The Detroit Lions drafted Steve in the first round. He was the first Detroit Lion to gain over 1,000 yards in a season and was an All-Pro selection in 1971 and 1972. After six years with Detroit, Steve retired due to a serious knee injury. In 1991, Owens was honored by being named to the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, and was named the Walter Camp Foundation Alumnus of the Year. Steve was inducted into the Orange Bowl Hall of Honor in 1992. Steve is CEO of Steve Owens Associates and President of Owens-Powell & Associates, both of which offer full range of insurance and service related products. Steve is also CEO of FORESIGHT, Inc., which provides services to the rent-to-own industry on a national level. Steve has given his time to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Child Welfare Citizens Advisory Board and the Advisory Board for the Norman Family Y. Steve is on the Board of Directors of Security National Bank in Norman, Jim Thorpe Foundation, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, and the Heisman Foundation. Owens served as Athletic Director at the University of Oklahoma from September 1996 until his resignation in March 1998. Steve & Barbara have a son Michael who lives in Norman.

The Voting

Oklahoma's Steve Owens won in the Southwest and the Far West, Purdue's Mike Phipps took the East and the Midwest and Mississippi's Archie Manning ran first in the South. It was a strong year for the defense as four of the top 10 finishers were defensive players and one other, Ohio State quarterback Rex Kern, who was third, became a standout defensive back in the National Football League.

No. registered electors: 1,212
Date of announcement: November 25, 1969
Date of dinner: December 4, 1969

The positions within each region are as follows: