Stephen Bowen (American football)

Stephen Bowen

Bowen at Redskins training camp in 2011.
No. 72     Washington Redskins
Defensive end
Personal information
Date of birth: March 28, 1984 (1984-03-28)
Place of birth: Holly Ridge, North Carolina
Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	Weight: 304 lb (138 kg)
Career information
College: Hofstra
Undrafted in 2006
Debuted in 2006 for the Dallas Cowboys
Career history
Dallas Cowboys (2006–2010) Washington Redskins (2011–Present)
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Ed Block Courage Award (2011)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2011
Tackles	113
Sacks	11.5
Forced fumbles	1
Stats at NFL.com

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.

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 where he lettered in both football and basketball. As a senior, recorded 235 rushing yards and four touchdowns to go along with 330 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Also, on defense he recorded 97 tackles.

College Career

Bowen attended Hofstra University 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.

Professional Career

Dallas Cowboys

2006 Season - 2010 Season

Bowen went undrafted in the 2006 NFL Draft, 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.

Washington Redskins

2011 Season - Present

On July 28, 2011, the Washington Redskins signed Bowen to a five-year, $27.5 million contract. Bowen was made the starting right defensive end. His first season with the Redskins, Bowen started in all 16 games for the first time in his career. At the end of 2011 NFL season, Bowen set new career highs with 41 tackles and six sacks for himself.

Personal Life

Bowen handling an Mk 19 grenade launcher at the Engagement Skills Trainer during his visit to Fort Bliss.

Bowen married his college sweetheart, Tiffany, in March 2008. The couple have one daughter, Trinity, and twin boys, Stephen III and Skyler. Bowen's twin sons were born four months prematurely on June 28, 2011, the same day he signed with the Redskins. Unfortunately, Skyler died 10 days later. On December 8, 2011, Bowen won the Redskins’ Ed Block Courage Award in recognition of how he dealt with Skyler's death.