Hofstra University Athletics

A football student-athlete from 2002-2005, Stephen Bowen was a four-year letterman and a three-year starter at defensive end. 

After playing in five games as a freshman, Bowen moved into a starting role as a sophomore and remained a fixture on the defensive line for the next three seasons. He was named to the All-Atlantic 10 Second Team as a senior after posting 48 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Bowen finished his collegiate career with 168 tackles, 11.5 sacks and one  interception, which was returned for a 31-yard touchdown. 

Bowen was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys on May 1, 2006, following the NFL Draft. He spent five seasons in Dallas before signing with Washington on July 28, 2011. He started all 16 games during his first year in Washington, and received the team’s Ed Block Courage Award in recognition of the inspiring way he dealt with his infant son Skyler’s death. Following three more seasons with the team, Bowen would sign a free agent contract with the New York Jets. He played in 15 games for the Jets in 2015 before announcing his retirement in June 2016 after signing a one-day contract with Washington.

Bowen finished his professional career with 128 games played (57 starts), 175 tackles (103 solo), and 12.5 sacks. 

A graduate of Half Hollow Hills High School West on Long Island, Bowen lettered in both football and basketball. In football, he was a two-way player at running back and linebacker. As a senior, he collected 235 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, 330 receiving yards, five receiving touchdowns and 97 tackles. Bowen was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2018.

Bowen is a 2006 graduate of Hofstra with a degree in interdisciplinary studies. He has three children - daughter, Trinity, and twin boys, Stephen III and Skyler.