Tragic Loss in College Football: Remembering Huntingdon’s James E. Owens Jr., Far from Steelers’ Shadows
Montgomery, AL – November 26, 2025 – The football world remains gripped by sorrow over the sudden passing of James E. Owens Jr., the 20-year-old defensive lineman whose promise and positivity illuminated Huntingdon College’s Hawks program.
Owens tragically died in a head-on car crash on November 10 in Chilton County, Alabama, a loss that has unified small-school communities in grief.
Setting the Record Straight on Fabrications: Circulating social media hoaxes, including baseless claims tying Owens to the Pittsburgh Steelers, head coach Mike Tomlin, or NFL draft hype, are cruel distortions exploiting his memory for engagement.
These posts, often from unverified fan pages like “Steelers Empire” on Facebook, falsely portray him as a pro prospect under Tomlin’s wing. Owens was a proud NCAA Division III standout at Huntingdon, with no Steelers or NFL connections—legitimate reports affirm his story as one of collegiate heart and hustle.
The Steelers organization has made no such statements, prioritizing their season amid these unrelated rumors.
The fatal collision unfolded at approximately 5:35 a.m. on U.S. Highway 82, when the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro Owens was driving veered into oncoming traffic and struck a Toyota Tundra operated by 42-year-old Justin E. Carlee of Maplesville.
Both drivers were declared dead at the scene by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), which is probing the incident without anticipated charges. Owens, a Tuscaloosa native, was bound for a dawn workout, his routine a hallmark of the discipline that fueled his rise.
Standing 6’3″ and tipping the scales at 250 pounds, Owens terrorized offensive lines for the Hawks, racking up 45 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks in his 2024 sophomore season.
His All-USA South Conference nod highlighted elite pursuit speed and football IQ, sparking buzz for possible Division II jumps or pro pathways in mock drafts.
Yet, his true measure shone beyond stats: a “towering presence of kindness,” as Huntingdon eulogized, with tireless youth coaching and locker-room wisdom that bonded the team.
Born March 15, 2005, in Montgomery, Owens drew from local icons like Alabama’s Derrick Thomas, forging a high school legacy at Carver High with 45 senior-year stops en route to a state championship.
Opting for Huntingdon’s close-knit vibe over flashier suitors, he became the defensive heartbeat, his gospel-rap pre-game pumps a ritual that rallied linemen. “James lifted us all—on the field and in spirit,” his mother, Erica Owens, conveyed at a Tuscaloosa vigil.
Father James Sr., a semi-pro alum, reflected: “He stormed lines with fury but mended souls with grace.”
Huntingdon coach Mike Turk, Owens’ recruiter, suspended operations in homage: “James lived our creed—fierce competitors, gentle souls. His void aches, but his fire guides us.” A Samford Stadium memorial drew teammates for candlelit tales of his laugh and notes of encouragement.
Captain Malik Johnson shared: ” ‘Guard the fort, guard our kin’—that’s our vow now.”
Support swells from the USA South Conference and beyond, with tributes from Birmingham-Southern and LaGrange. Huntingdon president Dondi Haney launched the James E. Owens Jr. Scholarship for Alabama defensive hopefuls from modest roots, eclipsing $30,000 in pledges. A lasting stadium plaque reads: “James E. Owens Jr.
– Guardian of Goals, #94 Eternal.”
#HawkHeart trends with 200,000+ interactions, viral clips of his Sewanee pick-six and park coaching sessions inspiring millions. “MVP in character, star in every snap,” a scout noted anonymously. Carver’s Marcus Adams affirmed: “He picked family first—pure legend.”
Public services are slated for December 2 at Montgomery’s Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church. The Hawks will don #94 patches come spring, channeling loss to legacy.
Owens teaches timelessly: Gridiron glory fades, but grit and goodwill endure. No Steelers draft dreams, just a Hawk’s honest hustle—a 20-year light snuffed too soon, yet shining eternal in Montgomery’s marrow. Rest boldly, James.
Deepest sympathies to the Owens and Carlee families, Huntingdon College, and all whose lives he graced. Rely on ALEA or Hawks athletics for truths.
#HawkHeart trends with 200,000+ interactions, viral clips of his Sewanee pick-six and park coaching sessions inspiring millions. “MVP in character, star in every snap,” a scout noted anonymously. Carver’s Marcus Adams affirmed: “He picked family first—pure legend.”
Public services are slated for December 2 at Montgomery’s Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church. The Hawks will don #94 patches come spring, channeling loss to legacy.
Owens teaches timelessly: Gridiron glory fades, but grit and goodwill endure. No Steelers draft dreams, just a Hawk’s honest hustle—a 20-year light snuffed too soon, yet shining eternal in Montgomery’s marrow. Rest boldly, James.
Deepest sympathies to the Owens and Carlee families, Huntingdon College, and all whose lives he graced. Rely on ALEA or Hawks athletics for truths.
#HawkHeart trends with 200,000+ interactions, viral clips of his Sewanee pick-six and park coaching sessions inspiring millions. “MVP in character, star in every snap,” a scout noted anonymously. Carver’s Marcus Adams affirmed: “He picked family first—pure legend.”
Public services are slated for December 2 at Montgomery’s Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church. The Hawks will don #94 patches come spring, channeling loss to legacy.
Owens teaches timelessly: Gridiron glory fades, but grit and goodwill endure. No Steelers draft dreams, just a Hawk’s honest hustle—a 20-year light snuffed too soon, yet shining eternal in Montgomery’s marrow. Rest boldly, James.
Deepest sympathies to the Owens and Carlee families, Huntingdon College, and all whose lives he graced. Rely on ALEA or Hawks athletics for truths.
