R. C. Owens

R. C. Owens
Owens in 1961
No. 27, 37
PositionsWide receiver
Halfback
Personal information
Born(1934-11-12)November 12, 1934
Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedJune 17, 2012(2012-06-17) (aged 77)
Manteca, California, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight197 lb (89 kg)
Career information
High schoolSanta Monica (Santa Monica, California)
CollegeCollege of Idaho
NFL draft1956: 14th round, 160th overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics
Receptions206
Receiving yards3,285
Receiving touchdowns22
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Raleigh Climon Owens (November 12, 1934 – June 17, 2012), universally known by his initials "R.C.", was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver and halfback from 1957 through 1964 in the National Football League (NFL).

Owens, a skilled basketball player with excellent jumping ability, is credited as the innovator behind the "jump ball in the end zone" pass play, popularly known at the time as the "Alley Oop."