Michigan football countdown to kickoff: 53 days until 2022 season
There’s much anticipation heading into the Michigan Wolverines football season, and TheWolverine.com is counting down the days until the Sept. 3 opener against Colorado State. We’ll discuss current Michigan events, upcoming season and/or take a look at a significant number that correlates with how many days remain until kickoff, whether it be a player’s jersey number, a year, a date, a score, etc.
Michigan football finds itself 53 days away from the 2022 season opener against the Colorado State Rams. That prompts a look at one of the best to wear No. 53 in former linebacker Mel Owens.
Owens, who was born in Detroit, Michigan, was recruited out of DeKalb High School in DeKalb, Illinois and joined head coach Bo Schembechler’s program in 1976. The early stages of his career saw him contribute in a small role, starting a total of three games between 1977-78.
Owens’ breakout season at Michigan came in 1979, where he started all 12 games and racked up 42 solo tackles and 26 assists. During his senior year, he started 11 of 12 contests on the 1980 squad that went 10-2 and finished fourth in the country. It was a dominant Michigan group, having outscored its opponents 322-129 over the course of the season. He finished the season with 52 tackles, 37 assists and an interception, which earned him first-team All-Big Ten honors in 1980.
Owens’ life after U-M
Owens’ Michigan career ended with 125 tackles, 79 assists and three interceptions to go along with two Rose Bowl appearances (1978, 1981). After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in political science, he was selected with the ninth overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1981 NFL Draft. He spent all nine seasons of his NFL career with the Rams and had 26.5 sacks in that timeframe.
Owens had his hand in a lot of different ventures during his time in Los Angeles. He had a clothing line titled “Evolution Wear” and also had a restaurant reservation hotline that operated nationwide. Some of his other off-field exploits included running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain and participating in the Los Angeles Marathon.
Owens now works in law specializing in workers’ compensation, sports injuries, sports law and disability benefits.
Michigan football countdown to kickoff
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