.gif)
Stephen Bowen (American football)
Encyclopedia
Stephen Alexander Bowen (born March 28, 1984) is an American football
defensive end
for the Washington Redskins
of the National Football League
. He was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football
at Hofstra.
Bowen attended Half Hollow Hills High School West in Dix Hills, NY
where he lettered in both football
and basketball
. As a senior
, recorded 235 rushing yards and four touchdown
s to go along with 330 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Also, on defense he recorded 97 tackles
.
where he was a two year starter. As a freshman, he played in all 12 games as a sophomore and recored 49 tackles, three sacks
and one fumble
recovery. As a junior he recored a career-high 68 tackles. As a senior, he recorded 11 tackles for losses.
He finished his career with 168 tackles, 11.5 sacks and one interception, which was returned for a touchdown.
, however, on May 1 he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys
. However, he was later released and on September 3 was signed to the team's practice squad. On November 7, he was signed to the team's active roster.
As a rookie
, after being signed to the Cowboys' active roster, Bowen appeared in only one game, the season-ending loss to the Detroit Lions
and recorded his first sack
, sacking Jon Kitna
. In 2007
, Bowen served as a back-up to starting right defensive end Chris Canty and recorded 23 tackles, ranking him 5th on the team among defensive linemen. In 2008
, he played in 14 games and recorded a then career-best 28 tackles. In 2009
, he appeared in all 16 games, starting two and recorded a single-season high 31 tackles and 3 sacks. In 2010
, he appeared in all 16 games, starting nine and recorded 22 tackles, 1.5 sacks.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
for the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Hofstra.
Early years
Stephen played pee-wee football in North Babylon, NY with his father as his coach for many of his years there.Bowen attended Half Hollow Hills High School West in Dix Hills, NY
Dix Hills, New York
Dix Hills is a hamlet Dix Hills is a hamlet Dix Hills is a hamlet (and a census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of Huntington on the North Shore of Long Island in Suffolk County, New York, United States. Dix Hills was named the 19th most affluent U.S. neighborhood by Forbes in 2008.. It is one...
where he lettered in both football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. As a senior
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
, recorded 235 rushing yards and four touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s to go along with 330 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Also, on defense he recorded 97 tackles
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
.
College career
Bowen attended Hofstra UniversityHofstra University
Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car...
where he was a two year starter. As a freshman, he played in all 12 games as a sophomore and recored 49 tackles, three sacks
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
and one fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
recovery. As a junior he recored a career-high 68 tackles. As a senior, he recorded 11 tackles for losses.
He finished his career with 168 tackles, 11.5 sacks and one interception, which was returned for a touchdown.
Professional career
Bowen went undrafted in the 2006 NFL Draft2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
, however, on May 1 he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. However, he was later released and on September 3 was signed to the team's practice squad. On November 7, he was signed to the team's active roster.
As a rookie
2006 Dallas Cowboys season
The 2006 Dallas Cowboys season began with the team trying to improve on their 9–7 record in 2005. The base offense was changed to a 2-TE formation. Several high profile free agents were signed including controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens and kicker Mike Vanderjagt...
, after being signed to the Cowboys' active roster, Bowen appeared in only one game, the season-ending loss to the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
and recorded his first sack
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
, sacking Jon Kitna
Jon Kitna
Jon K. Kitna is an American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
. In 2007
2007 Dallas Cowboys season
The 2007 Dallas Cowboys season was the 48th season for the team in the National Football League. The Cowboys finished the regular season tied for the best record in the NFC , and earned a first round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs...
, Bowen served as a back-up to starting right defensive end Chris Canty and recorded 23 tackles, ranking him 5th on the team among defensive linemen. In 2008
2008 Dallas Cowboys season
The 2008 Dallas Cowboys season was the 49th season for the team in the National Football League. The season was most noted for week 17, when the Cowboys were blown out by the Philadelphia Eagles 44–6, their worst loss since the 1985 Chicago Bears came to Texas Stadium and beat the Cowboys 44–0...
, he played in 14 games and recorded a then career-best 28 tackles. In 2009
2009 Dallas Cowboys season
The 2009 Dallas Cowboys season is the 50th season for the team in the National Football League. It is the team's first season playing at Cowboys Stadium. Their victory over the Oakland Raiders on November 26 extended their Thanksgiving winning streak to four in a row and also ended a three game...
, he appeared in all 16 games, starting two and recorded a single-season high 31 tackles and 3 sacks. In 2010
2010 Dallas Cowboys season
The 2010 Dallas Cowboys season is the 51st season for the team in the National Football League, and the second season playing their home games at Cowboys Stadium...
, he appeared in all 16 games, starting nine and recorded 22 tackles, 1.5 sacks.