Burgess Owens

Burgess Owens
Born	Clarence Burgess Owens 2 8, 1951
Birthplace	Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, former professional football player, businessman, author
Known for	U.S. Representative for Utah's 4th congressional district; NFL safety for the New York Jets and Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders; Super Bowl XV champion
Education	University of Miami (BS)
Children	6
Awards	Super Bowl XV champion
Website	[https://www.burgess4utah.com/ Official site]

Clarence Burgess Owens (born August 2, 1951) is an American politician and former professional football player who has served as the U.S. representative for Utah's 4th congressional district since January 3, 2021. A member of the Republican Party, Owens defeated incumbent Democrat Ben McAdams in the 2020 election in one of the closest congressional races in the country that cycle. Before entering politics, Owens played safety for ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL), spending time with the New York Jets and the Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders. He was a first-round draft pick in 1973 and won a championship with the Raiders in Super Bowl XV in January 1981. After his football career, Owens founded several businesses and led a nonprofit organization focused on helping troubled and incarcerated youth. He is the author of multiple books addressing American culture and politics. Owens is one of a small number of Black Republicans serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Early Life

Clarence Burgess Owens was born on August 2, 1951, in Columbus, Ohio. He grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, where he attended Rickards High School. Owens grew up during the civil rights era in the American South, an experience that shaped his later political perspectives and public commentary. His father was a professor, and Owens has spoken publicly about the values of education and self-reliance that were instilled in him during his upbringing.

At Rickards High School, Owens developed into an accomplished football player, excelling as a defensive back. His athletic talent attracted the attention of college recruiters, and he earned a scholarship to play football at the University of Miami.

Education

Owens attended the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, where he played football for the Miami Hurricanes. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry from the university. During his time at Miami, Owens was a standout defensive back, and his performance on the field positioned him as a top prospect for the NFL Draft. He was part of the Hurricanes' program during a formative period for the university's athletics, and his collegiate career helped establish him as one of the premier defensive players available in the 1973 NFL Draft.

Career

Professional Football Career

Owens was selected in the first round of the 1973 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, with the 13th overall pick. He joined the Jets as a safety and spent several seasons with the team, establishing himself as a reliable defensive back in the NFL. During his tenure with the Jets, Owens developed a reputation as a hard-hitting safety with strong instincts for reading opposing offenses.

After his time with the Jets, Owens joined the Oakland Raiders, where he became part of one of the most successful defensive units in the league. His career highlight came during the 1980 season, when the Raiders advanced to Super Bowl XV. The Raiders defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the game, and Owens earned a Super Bowl ring as a member of the championship team. The Raiders relocated to Los Angeles during this period, and Owens continued to play for the franchise after the move.

Over the course of his ten-season NFL career, Owens recorded 30 interceptions, 458 interception return yards, and 4 defensive touchdowns. He wore jersey numbers 22 and 44 during his professional career. His career statistics reflect his consistency and longevity as a starting safety in the league.

Post-Football Business Career

After retiring from professional football, Owens transitioned into the business world, founding several companies. He also became involved in community service, establishing and leading a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping troubled and incarcerated youth. This work became a central part of his public identity in the years between his football career and his entry into politics.

Owens also became active as a public speaker, appearing at events hosted by organizations such as the Young America's Foundation. He spoke on topics including personal responsibility, American culture, and the role of family and community in addressing social challenges.

Author

Owens authored several books that articulated his political and cultural views. His first book, It's All About Team: Exposing the Black Talented Tenth, examined issues within the African American community through the lens of his own experiences.

He subsequently published Liberalism or How to Turn Good Men into Whiners, Weenies and Wimps, a book that critiqued American liberalism and argued that liberal policies had harmed American communities, particularly Black Americans.

His third book, Why I Stand: From Freedom to the Killing Fields of Socialism, expanded on his conservative political philosophy and made the case against socialism. The books helped raise his profile among conservative audiences and contributed to his growing reputation as a political commentator prior to his congressional campaign.

Entry into Politics

Owens entered electoral politics by running for Utah's 4th congressional district seat in 2020. He first won the Republican primary in June 2020, defeating several other candidates to secure the party's nomination.

In the general election, Owens faced incumbent Democratic Representative Ben McAdams, who had won the seat in 2018. The race was one of the most competitive congressional contests in the nation during the 2020 election cycle. Owens ran on a platform emphasizing conservative economic policies, opposition to socialism, and support for law enforcement.

The election results were extremely close, and the race was not called for several days after Election Day as mail-in and provisional ballots were counted. Former President Donald Trump and Senator Mike Lee both publicly congratulated Owens before the race was officially called. McAdams ultimately conceded the race on November 16, 2020, making Owens the representative-elect for Utah's 4th congressional district.

Congressional Tenure

Owens took office on January 3, 2021, succeeding Ben McAdams as the representative for Utah's 4th congressional district. As a member of the Republican conference in the House, Owens has focused on issues including child welfare, transportation, and opposition to what he characterizes as government overreach.

Legislative Activity

In December 2025, Owens co-introduced bipartisan legislation with Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA) to support transportation infrastructure for cities hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The bill aimed to address the transportation needs of host cities preparing for the international sporting event.

Also in December 2025, Owens announced efforts to strengthen federal collaboration to prevent child trafficking, working with a Democratic colleague on legislation to close gaps in the federal government's efforts to combat the trafficking of minors. This initiative aligned with his longstanding involvement in youth advocacy through his nonprofit work prior to entering Congress.

Utah Redistricting Dispute

Beginning in late 2025, Owens became involved in a significant legal dispute over Utah's congressional district map. After a Utah judge ruled that the state's previous congressional boundaries constituted an illegal gerrymander and ordered new maps to be drawn, Owens and fellow Republican Representative Celeste Maloy challenged the new court-ordered map in federal court.

The redistricting dispute created significant uncertainty for Utah's congressional delegation ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Owens and Maloy, along with several county officials, argued that the court-ordered map disrupted existing constituencies and should be blocked before the upcoming elections.

A three-judge federal panel heard arguments in the case in February 2026. On February 23, 2026, the federal panel unanimously denied the request by Owens and Maloy to block the new congressional map, allowing the court-ordered boundaries to remain in place for the 2026 midterm elections. The Utah Supreme Court had denied a similar request days earlier.

Other Political Positions

In February 2026, Owens commented publicly on a controversial post made by President Donald Trump on Truth Social. After Trump faced bipartisan criticism for posting a racially charged edited video, Owens defended Trump's character while acknowledging the post, saying "we all make mistakes."

Personal Life

Owens resides in Utah and has six children. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having converted to the faith. His conversion story has been the subject of media coverage, and he has spoken about his religious journey publicly. His wife's name is Josie.

Owens' conversion to the LDS faith was notable given the church's historical policies regarding Black members and the priesthood, which were changed in 1978. A 1997 article in the Philadelphia Inquirer discussed Owens' involvement in a Mormon congregation. Owens also participated in the LDS Afro-American Symposium, which was covered by the church's official Ensign magazine in 1988.

Recognition

Owens' most prominent athletic recognition is his Super Bowl XV championship ring, earned as a member of the Raiders in January 1981. His selection as the 13th overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft reflected his status as one of the top collegiate players in the country at the time of his graduation from the University of Miami.

In politics, Owens' 2020 election victory received national attention, as he was one of several Republican candidates who flipped previously Democratic-held House seats. His victory was noted in national media coverage, including by The Hill, which had tracked his primary win earlier that year. His status as one of a small number of Black Republicans in Congress has been frequently noted in media profiles and political commentary.

Owens has been affiliated with organizations such as the Sagamore Institute, a public policy research organization, and the Young America's Foundation, where he has been featured as a speaker.

Campaign Finance

Owens' campaign finance filings are publicly available through the Federal Election Commission under candidate ID H0UT04076.