return for a touchdown as a junior was third-longest in school history. He received his degree at WVU in 2004. Track As a freshman, Owens tied a 41-year-old WVU record for the 100 yard dash by clocking a 9.6. He later bettered that mark with a 9.5, a record he shares with fellow two-sport star Harry Blake. Owens and Blake also teamed to set Mountaineer records in the 440- and 880-yard relays, and three times won the prestigious Penn Relays. Professional career San Diego Chargers Artie Owens was selected in the fourth round of the 1976 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers as a receiver rather than a running back. Owens played with the Chargers for four seasons. He started his pro career out in 1976, playing in 14 games. Although seeing some playing time, Owens only recorded 54 yards on three catches, along with one touchdown. In 1977, Owens saw no time at receiver, but did have one rush for three yards. After San Diego Following his season in 1979, Owens was picked up by the Buffalo Bills. He saw no action in 1980 with the Bills, and four games into the season he was traded to the New Orleans Saints. Owens saw no action with the 1-15 Saints either, and eventually retired after only 3 games in New Orleans. USFL Three years after retiring from the NFL, Owens returned to professional football in 1983. He played for the Philadelphia Stars in the USFL for one season, before retiring from football for good. Personal life Owens moved back to Stroudsburg, where he instructed an alternative school for the mentally handicapped. He also assumed coaching roles at Stroudsburg High School, leading the school's 1984 team to an undefeated season. Owens attempted construction work in 1986, and after he finished it in 1987, he returned to his mental health profession. He currently works preparing mentally handicapped adults for their future lives. External links Artie Owens's West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame page 1953 births West Virginia Mountaineers football players American football running backs Living people Sportspeople from Montgomery, Alabama Players of American football from Montgomery, Alabama American football return specialists Players of American football from Pennsylvania San Diego Chargers players Buffalo Bills players New Orleans Saints players American male sprinters