Oklahoma to unveil statue of 1969 Heisman winner

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma will unveil a statue of 1969 Heisman Trophy winner Steve Owens at its season opener next week. <br/><br/>The larger-than-life statue will be unveiled on the east side of Memorial

Thursday, August 24th 2006, 9:53 pm

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma will unveil a statue of 1969 Heisman Trophy winner Steve Owens at its season opener next week.

The larger-than-life statue will be unveiled on the east side of Memorial Stadium at 3:30 p.m., about 2 1/2 hours before the Sooners' game against Alabama-Birmingham on Sept. 2.

Owens ran for 4,041 yards and set an Oklahoma record with 57 rushing touchdowns for the Sooners from 1967-69. He also holds Oklahoma's records for most carries in a game (55), season (393) and career (958) and 100-yard rushing games in a career (23).

The statue is the second in a series honoring Oklahoma's four Heisman Trophy winners. Statues honoring 1978 Heisman winner Billy Sims and 2003 Heisman winner Jason White will be dedicated next year.

A statue of 1952 Heisman winner Billy Vessels was unveiled last year in the same area east of the stadium that is being called Heisman Park.

The statues are one of many projects statewide celebrating Oklahoma's centennial in 2007.