Owens gets call from Jaguars

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

In a victory for the overlooked and undersized Everyman, former University of Hawai'i receiver/returner Chad Owens yesterday was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round of the National Football League draft.

Former Hawai'i receiver/returner Chad Owens celebrated with his family and friends in Kalihi. At left is Larry Goeas, his financial adviser. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

"I'm still nervous," Charmaine Voss said two hours later at her son's draft party in Kalihi. "I'm really happy for Chad. He worked so hard for this."

Voss said Owens, who is 5 feet 7 1/2 and 180 pounds, has stiff-armed adversity since he was born prematurely.

"He was 3 pounds, 8 ounces," she said. "He was pretty small when he was born, but he was healthy, and he always had so much energy."

Owens said: "I've been battling the odds my whole life. It's nothing new. That's why I'm happy for this opportunity."

Owens will report to the Jaguars' three-day mini-camp Thursday.

Although he caught 101 passes as a UH senior, he is projected to return punts and kickoffs.

The Jaguars also drafted Virginia running back Alvin Pearman, who can double as a speedy returner.

But Owens said, "I'm going in there thinking it's my position to lose, and I'm not going to lose it."

During the NFL combine in Indianapolis, seven teams expressed interest in Owens. The Jaguars maintained the most contact, giving him the team hat he wore during yesterday's news conference.

Owens said he was not discouraged when he was not selected in the third round Saturday. He woke up at 5 yesterday morning to watch the start of ESPN's coverage of the draft.

"I just sat there, holding on to my phone," he said.

At the end of the fifth round, he was in the bathroom when his cell phone sounded.

"I saw '808' (on the caller ID), and I was like, 'Damn,' " Owens recalled. It was UH coach June Jones calling with well wishes.

About 30 minutes later, the Jaguars called.

"They told me, 'Congratulations,' " Owens said. "They're looking forward to me getting up there and making an impact."

ESPN was in a commercial break when the Jaguars announced their selection of Owens.

Soon after, Owens' family and friends began to celebrate.

Blake Harano, a childhood friend and former UH teammate, painted a poster that read: "Owens NFL Bound."

Party-goers wore black T-shirts with the slogan, "2 Fast, 2 Furious" (a play on his UH jersey number), and featuring a drawing of Mighty Mouse (Owens' nickname).

"Look at all of this," Owens said. "I owe everything to my family. They stuck by and they believed in me. My family support really helped my life."

He also recalled the contributions of former UH quarterback Tim Chang "for giving me the ball," the offensive linemen, the receivers "for running their routes," and the defense.

"I'm thankful for the teammates throughout my five years at UH," Owens said. "I'm thankful to the guys in the past who only were on special teams, but gave their all. In 2001, when I had all of those big returns, I had guys who just blocked for me, guys like Joaquin Avila and Bobby Morgan. All of this is for them, too."

Owens, a Roosevelt High alum, and his wife, Rena, have two children. Now Owens has a job.

"I'm a day-to-day person," Owens said. "I'm going to enjoy today."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.