Burgess Owens - #22 - FS - Miami - Profile

PRO: "Burgess had his best year for us in 1977,"Michaels said. "He's an intelligent team leader with great speed and good range on pass coverage. He's one of the hardest hitters on the team and is particularly effective stopping the run." ...led the Jets with three interceptions and finished second in tackles with 59 solos and 62 assists...graded highest among Jets' defensive backs ... a durable performer who has missed only three games (in 1975 with a knee injury) since joining the Jets as a number-one draft choice in 1973...has string of 34 consecutive starts ...found a home at free safety in 1976 after playing strong safely in his first three years and cornerback for the first two games of his fourth season ...is tied for 10th among Jets' all-time interception leaders with 10...has led team in interceptions three times with three in 1974,1975 and 1977...returned Bert Jones' pass 29 yards for TD in 1974 at Baltimore ...also recovered blocked punt in end zone for TD against Colts at Shea that season ...has Jets' last kickoff return for a TD, 82yards against Denver as a rookie in 1973...named Jets' rookie of the year by New York writers and selected to NFL all-rookie team by UPI and Pro Football Weekly.

PERSONAL: Single ...has degree in marine biology ...articulate ... makes many banquet appearances in off-season ...participated in Easter Seals telethon in New York City this year with teammate Garry Puetz ...owns a 400-acre farm near his hometown of Tallahassee, Fla., with his father, who is a professor of agronomy at Florida A&M...an avid reader...always has a book on Jets' road trips ...gained over 1,500yards and rushed for 19 TDs as a running back at Rickards High in Tallahassee.

From 1978 Jets yearbook.