Rickards High Alum Burgess Owens Elected to Congress

Rickards High Alum Burgess Owens Elected to Congress

Burgess Owens, a former Tallahassee resident and a Rickards High alum, recently won Utah’s 4th Congressional District seat. Owens, a Republican, defeated Democratic congressman Ben McAdams, who was running for reelection. Owens won the close race by less than 1% of the vote.

The 4th Congressional District seat that Owens won represents a portion of Salt Lake City and parts of three other counties. The House seat was held in 2016 by Republican Mia Love, who was the first Black Republican woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. McAdams won it back in 2018 by less than 700 votes. With Owen’s victory, Republicans have regained control of all four congressional House seats in the state of Utah.

Owens, now 69, is the son of a Florida A&M professor and grew up on the south side of Tallahassee. He starred as a Rickards High running back and set a school record in 1967. He became an All-American defensive back and kick return specialist for the University of Miami and went on to play in the NFL for 10 years for the New York Jets and Oakland Raiders.

After his football career, Owens moved to Utah in 2012 and converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Owens is a Republican and a vocal supporter of Donald Trump.

4 Responses to "Rickards High Alum Burgess Owens Elected to Congress"

  1. This guy is the real deal. I have heard him speak several times and his message of God, Country and politics in that order is clear. Too bad he didn’t come back to Tallahassee and run against Lawson.

    1. I 100% agree with 100% of your post. I would only add that Congressman Owens is a “real” role model that young men “of all colors” can and should look to.

      … nuff said

    2. I got to know Burgess Owens in January and I was extremely impressed! He is the real deal! I hope this is a stepping stone for him to do great things at a national level!

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