gold star for USAHOF

39. Montell Owens

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Entering the league in 2006 as an unheralded, undrafted free agent out of Maine, Montell Owens carved out a decade-long career by transforming third-phase kick coverage into pure artistry. With a relentless motor and an innate sense of the ball carrier, he quickly became the premier gunner on kick and punt coverage units, earning a roster spot through sheer hustle.

Owens' open-field tackling efficiency gained cult-hero status among the fan base, sparking a dedicated faction of supporters who affectionately rebranded him as "Mowens"—complete with custom jerseys bearing an added letter "M" on the back. He validated that admiration during the 2009 campaign by racking up 30 special teams tackles, setting an organization single-season standard. By the time his run in North Florida concluded, he sat comfortably at the top of the leaderboard with 118 total tackles on special teams units.

National recognition followed his coverage dominance. Owens earned consecutive Pro Bowl invitations as the AFC's designated special teams ace in 2010 and 2011, along with an AP Second-Team All-Pro selection in 2011.

Beyond his kicking-game accolades, Owens served as a versatile Swiss Army knife across the roster. Whenever injuries depleted the offense, he filled in as an energetic fullback, third-down tailback, and wildcat quarterback, starting four games late in 2012 and leading the squad with 209 rushing yards down the stretch. He even logged emergency reps on defense at safety when depth tested low.

After seven years with the franchise, Owens concluded his playing career with single-year stops in Detroit and Chicago before transitioning into NFL scouting. 

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The Bullet Points

  • Position: Running Back
  • Acquired: Signed as an Undrafted Free Agent 4/30/06.
  • Departed: Released 5/16/13.
  • Games Played: 57
  • Notable Statistics:

    4 Games Started
    56 Rushing Attempts
    292 Rushing Yards
    3 Rushing Touchdowns
    12 Receptions
    132 Receiving Yards
    8 Kick Returns
    118 Kick Return Yards
    3 Forced Fumbles
    3 Fumble Recoveries
    18 Fumble Recovery Yards
    1 Fumble Recovery Touchdown
    76 Combined Tackles
    66 Solo Tackles
    10 Assisted Tackles
    1 Tackle for Loss
    2 Approximate Value

    2 Playoff Games

  • Major Accolades and Awards: Pro Bowl (2010 & 2011)
Last modified on Monday, 12 October 2026 22:11

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