Mel Tyrae Owens is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Michigan from 1976 to 1980. He was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the first round of the 1981 NFL draft. He played nine seasons with the Rams and compiled 26.5 quarterback sacks. Owens later became a sports lawyer in Laguna Hills, California.