Tinker Owens

Charles Wayne “Tinker” Owens graduated from Miami High School in 1972 after a stellar athletic career as a Wardog. Owens was a multi-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track. Tinker was an All-State and All-American football player for the Wardogs where he played wing back and free safety. In basketball, he helped lead the Wardogs to an undefeated season and brought home the 3A State Championship trophy in 1972. He was named to the All-Tournament Team that season. On the track, he was a three event All-State selection in the 100m low hurdles, 120m high hurdles, and in the long jump.

Tinker went on to the University of Oklahoma where he played wide receiver and made an immediate impact for the Sooners his freshman year.  Owens was named the MVP of the 1972 Sugar Bowl after 132 yards receiving in a 14-0 win over Penn State his first season as a Sooner. Tinker was a part of two Oklahoma Sooner national championship teams in 1974 and 1975, and was a two-time All-American at OU in 1974 and 1975. He finished his career with 70 receptions for 1,619 yards and 11 touchdowns during the Sooners run-oriented wishbone era. 

Owens was drafted in the fourth round of the 1976 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. He played six seasons with the Saints from 1976-1982. He finished his career with 60 receptions for 785 yards and four touchdowns. After his NFL career, Tinker started his own insurance and marketing service where he serves as the president of the company.

Tinker’s legacy as a Wardog was honored when D Street on the east side of Miami was designated “Tinker Owens Boulevard” in September of 2017, and when he joined the Coleman Theatre Celebrity Park Wall of Fame in November 2018.