Stephen Bowen (American football)

Stephen Alexander Bowen (born March 28, 1984) is an American football defensive end for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Hofstra University.

Early years
Stephen played pee-wee football in North Babylon, NY with his father as his coach for many of his years there. Bowen attended Half Hollow Hills High School West in Dix Hills, NY where he lettered in both football and basketball. As a senior, recorded 235 rushing yards and four touchdowns to go along with 330 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Also, on defense he recorded 97 tackles.

College career
Bowen attended Hofstra University where he was a two-year starter. As a freshman, he played in all 12 games as a sophomore and recored 49 tackles, three sacks and one fumble recovery. As a junior he recored a career-high 68 tackles. As a senior, he recorded 11 tackles for losses.

He finished his career with 168 tackles, 11.5 sacks and one interception, which was returned for a touchdown.

2006 Season - 2010 Season
Bowen went undrafted in the 2006 NFL Draft, however, on May 1 he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys. However, he was later released and on September 3 was signed to the team's practice squad. On November 7, he was signed to the team's active roster.

As a rookie, after being signed to the Cowboys' active roster, Bowen appeared in only one game, the season-ending loss to the Detroit Lions and recorded his first sack, sacking Jon Kitna. In 2007, Bowen served as a back-up to starting right defensive end Chris Canty and recorded 23 tackles, ranking him 5th on the team among defensive linemen. In 2008, he played in 14 games and recorded a then career-best 28 tackles. In 2009, he appeared in all 16 games, starting two and recorded a single-season high 31 tackles and 3 sacks. In 2010, he appeared in all 16 games, starting nine and recorded 22 tackles, 1.5 sacks.

2011 Season
On July 28, 2011, the Washington Redskins signed Bowen to a five-year, $27.5 million contract. Bowen was made the starting right defensive end. His first season with the Redskins, Bowen started in all 16 games for the first time in his career. At the end of 2011 NFL season, Bowen set new career highs with 41 tackles and six sacks for himself.

2012 Season
In mid-April 2012, Bowen received arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. On November 14 during the Redskins' bye week, he was made a co-defensive captain after a team vote. In the Week 14 win against the Cleveland Browns, he tore his upper left biceps and would still play for the rest of the regular season. He would make an essential defensive move in the next week against the Philadelphia Eagles. During the Eagles last attempt to tie the game and with seconds remaining, Bowen put enough pressure on Nick Foles to make him throw the ball into the turf. Despite one second remaining on the clock, Foles would receive an intentional grounding penalty, ending the game and giving the Redskins the victory.

Personal life
Stephen married his college girlfriend Tiffany Johnson, in March 2008. The couple have 3 children-one daughter, Trinity, and twin boys, Stephen III and Skyler. Bowen's twin sons were born four months prematurely on June 28, 2011, the same day he signed with the Redskins. Unfortunately, Skyler passed away 10 days later. On December 8, 2011, Bowen won the Redskins’ Ed Block Courage Award in recognition of the inspiring way he dealt with Skyler's death.