So, you’re at a bar, someone brings up obscure 1980s NFL linebackers, and you drop the name Mel Owens. The table goes quiet. Then someone asks, “What team did he even play for?” Don’t panic. I’ve got the answer, and it comes with a side of hilarious trivia that’ll make you the hero of happy hour.
First, the quick answer: Mel Owens played for the Los Angeles Rams. Yes, that Rams team—the ones in the cool blue-and-yellow uniforms, not the ones currently trying to figure out the L.A. traffic. Owens was drafted in the first round in 1981, which is like being picked first for dodgeball in gym class, but with way more money and worse hair.
The Man, The Myth, The Mustache?
Now, let’s get one thing straight: Mel Owens wasn’t some flashy superstar you see on cereal boxes. He was the guy doing the dirty work—the kind of linebacker who makes the highlight reel for other people. Think of him as the bacon in a BLT: essential, but nobody writes a song about it.
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He played seven seasons in the NFL, all with the Rams, from 1981 to 1987. That’s right, he dodged the strike season and everything. He even intercepted a pass once—I imagine he spiked it so hard the goalpost shivered.
Fun fact: Owens entered the NFL the same year the Rams drafted a running back named Eric Dickerson. So while Dickerson was galloping for 1,000 yards per season, Owens was probably saying, “Great, now I have to tackle that guy in practice.”
The Unlikely Hollywood Connection
But here’s where it gets weird: the Rams were in Los Angeles back then. So while Owens was getting helmet-slapped by the 49ers, he was also surrounded by Hollywood glitz. I like to imagine him eating a burrito in the locker room next to a guy who was literally playing a caveman in a movie. He probably didn’t, but the visual is priceless.
In 1984, the Rams made the NFC Championship game and lost to the Washington Redskins. Owens had two tackles in that playoff run. That’s not a typo. Two. For comparison, I once had that many tackles in a dream about fighting a raccoon for a slice of pizza.
He wasn’t a star, but he was consistent. He played in 95 games, starting 57 of them. That’s like being the eighth slice of bread in a loaf—not the end, not the middle, but always there when you need a sandwich.
54 Mel Owens Photos & High Res Pictures - Getty Images
Why You Should Care
So why write an article about a dude who played for one team and retired to quiet obscurity? Because Mel Owens represents every player who did the job without the glory. He didn’t have a nickname. No “Sweetness” or “The Refrigerator.” He was just Mel.
And he played for the Los Angeles Rams. Period. Not the Oakland Raiders. Not the Chicago Bears. Just the Rams. It’s the kind of trivia that makes you sound like a genius at trivia night, even if you’re just repeating this article you read ten minutes ago.
Also, his last name was Owens. That’s the same last name as Terrell Owens, the loudest wide receiver in history. But Mel was the opposite: a quiet, steam-rolling linebacker. It’s like discovering the lead singer of a heavy metal band is actually a certified accountant on weekends.
The Inherited Curse of the First Round
Here’s the punchline: being a first-round pick in 1981 meant the Rams were expecting magic. Owens didn’t deliver magic. He delivered solid, meat-and-potatoes linebacker play. That’s like ordering a fancy steak and getting a perfectly cooked hamburger. You’re happy, but you feel a little lied to.
Still, he managed to tackle many future Hall of Famers. Think about that: he got his bell rung by guys like Walter Payton, John Riggins, and Tony Dorsett. He probably saw their jerseys in his nightmares and woke up sweating.
54 Mel Owens Photos & High Res Pictures - Getty Images
One last fact: Mel Owens played college ball at the University of Michigan. So he was already used to being part of a legendary, blue-and-maize machine. The Rams’ blue-and-gold was just a softer version of the same vibe.
The Final Whistle
So, if someone at that bar looks at you with a skeptical eyebrow, lean in and say: “Mel Owens. L.A. Rams. 1981-1987. You’re welcome.” Then take a sip of your drink like you dropped the mic.
He didn’t make the Pro Bowl. He didn’t win a Super Bowl. But he played for one team—his whole career—in an era when players switched teams like they change socks. That’s rare. That’s respectable. That’s Mel Owens.
Now go forth and impress your friends with this bizarre knowledge. If they ask how you knew, just wink and say, “I’ve got sources.” Because you do: you read this incredibly detailed, slightly silly article.
And if anyone asks for an encore, tell them about Mel Owens’ 1984 interception return for zero yards. He caught the ball and immediately got tackled. Sometimes, the best plays are the ones that remind you the NFL isn’t always majestic—it’s also hilarious.