AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn will present the James Owens Courage Award for the ninth time Saturday before the Tigers play Texas A&M.
Awarded annually to a current or former Auburn football player who has displayed courage in the face of adversity, distinguishing himself while contributing to the betterment of Auburn University, the award honors James Owens, Auburn's first Black football player.
"It's one of our best awards, if not our best, as far as what James Owens meant to Auburn and Auburn's history," said Auburn coach Gus Malzahn, who has coached Owens' nephew, LaDarius Owens, and grandson, James Owens Moss. "Being able to coach his grandson and his nephew, it's really special."
James Owens received the inaugural award in 2012.In 2012, James Owens was the first recipient of the award that bears his nameMonths before his death in 2016, Owens recalled the impact of his groundbreaking actions, especially in the African-American community.
"You would have thought there was a parade," said Owens, recalling the cheers when he ran into the field for the first game. "Those Black people cheered and hollered. I was their hero, and they were my heroes. I realized I was there for more than James Owens. I was there for a nation, and people were depending on me to succeed."
A native of Fairfield, Alabama, Owens lettered at Auburn as a running back from 1969-72. During three seasons on the varsity, he helped Auburn to a 28-5 record and played a key role on the 1972 Amazins team, which defied the odds and finished the season with a 10-1 record and a top five national finish.
James' widow, Gloria Owens, runs the James Owens Foundation with the mission of preparing and assisting student-athletes to maximize their educational opportunities.
"That was part of his ministry, and that's what his foundation hopes to carry on, because even to the day before he passed, he was still saying, 'God is not finished with me. He still has work for me to do,'" she said.
"That's why I'm so passionate about his memory here at Auburn continuing. I want his story to be told. A lot of people don't understand what it took for him to be the first. He was a giant of a man, but humble," she said. "He was a humble spirit but he was a leader, and it was always for the sake of others."
James Owens Courage Award winners:
2012: James Owens
2013: Zac Etheridge
2014: Lee Carpenter
2015: Shon Coleman
2016: Carl Lawson
2017: Terry Beasley
2018: Rev. Chette Williams
2019: Jawara WhiteThe Big O: James Owens played for Auburn from 1970-72Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer