From the field to the stage: North East's Garrett Owens chases pro football, music careers

FINDLEY LAKE, N.Y. — All eyes were on former North East football star Garrett Owens this past Sunday.

Only this time, he performed before a noticeably smaller crowd and venue.

Owens made music, not touchdowns.

He occasionally glanced at his song list, not a list of plays.

The cramp he endured wasn’t from an opponent, but from sitting with his acoustic guitar perched atop his right thigh.

Owens entertained roughly 50 patrons, who included his parents Rocky Owens and Mary Jo Neckers, as part of last weekend’s country music festival at Peek’n Peak Resort. The 2016 North East graduate performed all his original songs, four of which have been professionally recorded and posted online, and occasional covers from a small wooden stage outside its Gazebo Grill.

That happened four months after Owens completed his first professional football season with the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks. He was a tight end for the first-year franchise, one of eight in the new developmental league.

Owens, 24, also performed one night after the highlight of his nascent music career.

The former Grapepicker, who made history as Erie County’s first varsity player to rush for 5,000 career yards (5,128), found himself on the resort’s main stage with fellow country musician Chris Higbee.

“My first (professional) music gig was in early July,” Owens said. “Seven weeks later, I’m playing with Chris for a lawn crowd of a couple thousand here at the Peak. Playing (professional) football was a dream come true. Playing in a full-on concert with people screaming the lyrics also is a dream come true.”

“I love football and I love country music. Now, I’m doing both.”

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New position in new league

Owens remained local after his North East football career concluded. After a redshirt year at Mercyhurst University, he lined up in the Lakers’ backfield for three seasons.

Owens ran for 2,752 yards over that span, a total which ranked third in the program’s history through 2019. He also recorded 36 touchdowns on the ground.

COVID-19 played havoc with college football’s next two seasons. The result of that for Owens was a transfer to Duquesne University’s football team for 2021.

Owens ran for 656 yards and five touchdowns over the Dukes’ 7-3 season. The only teammate who exceeded his total was Cathedral Prep graduate Billy Lucas (723).

Owens, according to nfldraftdiamonds.com, was considered a late-round prospect for the NFL’s 2022 draft.

That didn’t happen. Nor did he receive an undrafted free-agent offer by any of its 32 franchises.

Unlike the recent past, though, Owens’ fervent quest to compete as a professional wasn’t over. The creation of the XFL, combined with the resurrection of the United States Football League, provided those still on the outside with second chances at showcasing their talents for NFL personnel.

The Roughnecks were responsible for Owens’ second chance. They drafted the 6-foot 4-inch, 229-pounder with the ninth overall pick among players at offensive positions.

Owens, though, wasn't picked as a back. Sensing he was better suited as a tight end at that level, he listed himself at that position in his draft information.

Houston, led by former Buffalo Bills coach Wade Phillips, agreed with Owens' decision. The Roughnecks played him at the line of scrimmage in their spread offense.

“That willingness to change (positions) was part of my skill set,” Owens said. “It was natural for me, but I also had the coaches to help me with the transition and to get better.”

The downside to Owens' position switch was that Houston’s game plans used tight ends more for blocking. Owens’ 2023 receiving statistics consisted of five receptions for 28 yards and one touchdown.

Owens’ parents were fortunate enough to catch their son’s scoring catch in person on April 9, when Houston visited the Hines Ward-coached San Antonio Brahmas.

Garrett Owens’ five-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Brandon Silvers helped the Roughnecks to a 17-15 victory at the Alamodome.

“I screamed so loud. It was ridiculous,” Neckers said. “The (Houston) general manager’s wife turned around and said, ‘I didn’t think anybody could scream that loud!’”

The Roughnecks’ win at San Antonio was one of seven en route to their first-place finish in the XFL’s South Division. However, the Arlington Renegades, the league’s third Texas franchise, upset them 17-15 in the division final.

Arlington became the league’s inaugural champion with its ensuing 35-26 victory vs. the D.C. Defenders in their championship game at San Antonio.

“It was a blessing to be able to play for coach Phillips and learn so much from all of our great coaches,” Owens said. “I learned a lot, and I’m willing to learn a lot more to continue to chase that dream. I still see myself in (an NFL camp) come next summer.

“I’m going back for another season in the XFL and fine tune all the little details I need to continue to get better.”

Enjoying best of both worlds

Although Garrett Owens was the only person listed on the bill for his time slot, it wasn’t a strict one-man show.

Mary Jo was coaxed on stage to do a duet with her son. She proxied for Stevie Nicks when they covered Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.”

There was zero stage fright on Neckers’ part. She briefly performed with country music bar bands along Printer’s Alley, a stretch of night clubs in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, during the mid-1990s.

Neckers has no issue being a spectator to what her son has already accomplished in each of his diverse occupations.

“Garrett has that drive and determination every day because his goals are set,” she said. “I love how hard he works (to accomplish) everything he can. It’s been so fun to watch him play — music and football.”

Owens told the crowd during Sunday’s performance he would have played his allotted three hours even if only one person comprised his audience. He said he’d remember last weekend at the Peak regardless of how his country music career fares.

But football is still first and foremost for Owens. Although his show ended around 8 p.m., he still had a workout session planned before calling it a night.

"Someone from the news media interviewed me and asked, ‘How’s your music career?’” Owens said. “It was funny hearing that because in my mind, I’m doing this on the side. I’m having fun with it, but I’m training for football.”

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Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNcopper.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Football is first career priority for country musician Garrett Owens