PERSON: Burgess Owens
Employer
Self-employed
Position
Speaker
Biography
Burgess Owens is a former University of Miami and NFL star who travels the country delivering a message of optimism and hope.
He spent his childhood growing up in the Deep South during a time when the barriers of segregation were being torn down. As one of the first three Black Americans to play football at the University of Miami, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology/Chemistry and simultaneously gained recognition as a football powerhouse. During his college career, Burgess was named to Who’s Who among College Students in American Universities and Colleges. As an All-America defensive back, he was selected as Most Valuable Defensive Player in the North/ South Senior Bowl and earned MVP honors in the Coaches All-American Game. He was inducted to the Hall of Fame of Outstanding College Athletes of America and later to the University of Miami’s Hall of Fame and the Orange Bowl Ring of Honor.
Following college, Burgess was the 13th player, first defensive back drafted in the 1st round by the NY Jets. Later that year he was selected as the Jets Rookie of the Year and to the NFL’s All- Rookie team. He led the Jets defense in interceptions 5 of 7 years and was selected as the team Defensive Captain for three seasons.
After being traded to the Oakland Raiders, Burgess lead the Raiders defensive squad in tackles on their way to a Super Bowl Championship in 1980. In his last year with the Raiders, in 1982, he led the team in interceptions and was selected as 1st Alternate to the NFL All Pro-Bowl. He was, on two occasions, the NFL commercial spokesman for the United Way. Burgess has for many years been an out spoken advocate for self-empowerment through entrepreneurship.
Since retiring from the NFL in 1983, Burgess has been involved in both corporate and entrepreneurial endeavors.
Burgess travels throughout the country speaking of the intrinsic principles that underline the foundation of our American way of life. From a historical perspective he speaks of the values espoused by our country’s founders through such documents as the May Flower Compact, The Declaration of Independence & the U.S. Constitution. The tone, passion and perspective from which Burgess speaks are both inspirational and instructional for all ages and backgrounds.
He spent his childhood growing up in the Deep South during a time when the barriers of segregation were being torn down. As one of the first three Black Americans to play football at the University of Miami, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology/Chemistry and simultaneously gained recognition as a football powerhouse. During his college career, Burgess was named to Who’s Who among College Students in American Universities and Colleges. As an All-America defensive back, he was selected as Most Valuable Defensive Player in the North/ South Senior Bowl and earned MVP honors in the Coaches All-American Game. He was inducted to the Hall of Fame of Outstanding College Athletes of America and later to the University of Miami’s Hall of Fame and the Orange Bowl Ring of Honor.
Following college, Burgess was the 13th player, first defensive back drafted in the 1st round by the NY Jets. Later that year he was selected as the Jets Rookie of the Year and to the NFL’s All- Rookie team. He led the Jets defense in interceptions 5 of 7 years and was selected as the team Defensive Captain for three seasons.
After being traded to the Oakland Raiders, Burgess lead the Raiders defensive squad in tackles on their way to a Super Bowl Championship in 1980. In his last year with the Raiders, in 1982, he led the team in interceptions and was selected as 1st Alternate to the NFL All Pro-Bowl. He was, on two occasions, the NFL commercial spokesman for the United Way. Burgess has for many years been an out spoken advocate for self-empowerment through entrepreneurship.
Since retiring from the NFL in 1983, Burgess has been involved in both corporate and entrepreneurial endeavors.
Burgess travels throughout the country speaking of the intrinsic principles that underline the foundation of our American way of life. From a historical perspective he speaks of the values espoused by our country’s founders through such documents as the May Flower Compact, The Declaration of Independence & the U.S. Constitution. The tone, passion and perspective from which Burgess speaks are both inspirational and instructional for all ages and backgrounds.
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