John Owens (American football)

John Wesley Owens (born January 10, 1980) is a former American football tight end. He was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame.

Owens was also a member of the Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, and Oakland Raiders.

Early life
Owens played high school football at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland as a tight end and defensive end, earning USA Today honorable mention All-American honors. He was also a three-year starter in basketball, averaging 12.7 points and 13.9 rebounds per game his senior year.

College career
Owens played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 1998 to 2001. He was a tight end for the majority of his college career, except for his junior year in 2001, where he spent the majority of the year at defensive end. He played in 10 games in 1998 and nine games in 1999. Owens appeared in 12 games in 2000, accumulating nine tackles (seven of which were solo tackle). He caught six passes for 79 yards and one touchdown his senior season in 2001.

Detroit Lions (first stint)
Owens was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round, with the 138th overall pick, of the 2002 NFL Draft. He officially signed with the team on July 22, 2002. He played in 15 games, starting eight, for the Lions in 2002, catching five passes for 49 yards and making one solo tackle. Owens appeared in seven games, starting one, during the 2003 season but recorded no statistics. He was waived by the Lions on October 23, 2004.

Chicago Bears
Owens signed with the Chicago Bears on October 25, 2004. He played in two games for the Bears in 2004, recording one solo tackle.

Miami Dolphins
On August 29, 2005, Owens was traded to the Miami Dolphins for Brendon Ayanbadejo. Owens was waived on September 3, 2005.

Cleveland Browns
Owens signed with the Cleveland Browns on December 28, 2005. He was waived by the Browns on September 2, 2006.

New Orleans Saints
Owens was signed by the New Orleans Saints on November 8, 2006. He played in five games for the Saints in 2006, totaling four receptions for 44 yards and one solo tackle. He appeared in eight games during the 2007 season, catching one pass for four yards and making three solo tackles. Owens was waived on November 10, 2007.

Detroit Lions (second stint)
Owens signed with the Lions on November 12, 2007. He played in seven games for the Lions in 2007, totaling one reception for nine yards. He re-signed with the Lions on March 3, 2008. Owens appeared in all 16 games, starting seven, in 2008, catching eight passes for 56 yards and his only NFL touchdown. He also made two solo tackles in 2008.

Seattle Seahawks
Owens was signed by the Seattle Seahawks on March 5, 2009. He played in 16 games, starting three, during the 2009 season, recording three receptions for 16 yards. He was released by the Seahawks on April 6, 2010.

Oakland Raiders
Owens signed with the Oakland Raiders on April 30, 2010. He was released on September 4, 2010.