Football History

Steve Owen was an American football player and coach. He is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame from success and longevity as the head coach the New York Giants for 24 seasons, from 1930 to 1953. We have a collection of stories and games Owen was involved with.

Stephen Joseph Owen, nicknamed "the Stout Steve," wasn't just a football player; he was a trailblazer who left a lasting legacy on the New York Football Giants and the NFL itself. While his playing career was respectable, it's his coaching achievements that solidify his place in football history.

Owen began his professional career in 1924, bouncing between several teams before landing with the Giants in 1926. While he played seven seasons for the team, injuries cut his playing time short. However, in 1930, he began to co-coach, transitioning fully to coach in 1931. This marked the beginning of a remarkable 24-season reign.

Owen's coaching philosophy was rooted in fundamental football and a strong defense. He emphasized discipline and teamwork, building a culture of toughness and resilience. Despite no formal contract (he coached based on a handshake with ownership), Owen led the Giants to eight NFL championship games, winning four: 1934, 1938, 1941, and 1946.

His innovative strategies played a significant role in these victories. He implemented the T-formation offense, utilizing two tight ends for better blocking and pass protection. He also recognized the importance of special teams, emphasizing their role in the overall game. Owen's impact extended beyond the Giants. He served as president of the NFL Coaches Association and advocated for improved equipment and player safety. He also mentored several future Hall of Fame coaches, including Vince Lombardi.

Though his later years were less successful, Owen's legacy remains significant. He holds the record for most games coached (322) and seasons coached (24) with a single franchise. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967, a testament to his lasting impact on the game.

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Steve Owen's career in professional football spanned nearly three decades, leaving an indelible mark on the New York Giants and the game itself. He carved out a successful path as a player before transitioning into a legendary coach, forever etching his name in Giants' lore.

Steve Owen not only starred while playing the game, he absorbed the lessons he learned on the field, put them into practice, and even innovated concepts of the gridiron when he got into coaching.

Steve Owen, born on April 21, 1898, in Cleo Springs, Oklahoma, was ambitious and resilient. His journey to success was not without its challenges. After completing high school, he continued his education at Philips University in Enid, OK. He worked on a cattle ranch to support himself, demonstrating his determination and work ethic. However, his pursuit of higher learning was interrupted when he served in the US Army during World War I.

Steve Owen's journey in professional football began in the early 1920s when the game was still finding its shape. After the War, he signed on with the NFL's Kansas City Cowboys in 1924, who played all their games on the road. The lineman earned a salary of $50 per contest for his labor.

At a relatively short 5'10" for a lineman, Owen's exceptional strength, intelligence, and fierce competitive spirit compensated for his stature. These unique qualities and his leadership skills set him apart from his peers.

His journey took him to several teams. After finding being a full-time road warrior quite the grind, the 26-year-old spent the 1925 season with the Waterbury-Hartford Blues, an independent team in Connecticut. The Blues had ambitions to join the NFL, and after Steve helped the team achieve a record of 10-2, including two narrow victories over the NFL's Rochester Jeffersons, Hartford would earn a League franchise in 1926. Steve was also signed to play for the Cleveland Bulldogs for one game that season.

That solitary game with the struggling Bulldogs would be a springboard to his eventual pigskin roost. Steve played briefly with the Cleveland Bulldogs before being sold to the New York Giants in 1926 for $500. The legendary Dr. Harry March had seen Owen play a year earlier at a meager salary of $100 a game, which barely covered the expenses of barnstorming across Florida with the Cowboys. Yet, his exceptional defensive skills couldn't be ignored.

Owen truly blossomed with the Giants, becoming a key cog in their 1927 champ "on-ship run. His leadership on and off the field earned him the respect of his teammates and coaches.

By 1931, Owen had transitioned into a player-coach role with the Giants, marking the start of a coaching dynasty that would span over two decades. His approach to the game was characterized by a strong emphasis on defense and fundamental football, a stark contrast to the more flamboyant offensive schemes of the time. This defensive focus, known as "Stout Steve's System," shaped the Giants' play and left a lasting" impacSteve'se game i "self, revolutionizingGiants'y team approach to defense.

Despite initial skepticism, Owen's methods proved to be game-changers. He led the Giants to eight Eastern titles and two NFL championships (1934 and 1938). His innovative tactics, such as the A-formation that revolutionized running plays and the umbrella defense designed to counter emerging passing attacks, significantly impacted the game's evolution. Owen's ability to adapt and innovate, combined with his unwavering fundamentals, reshaped the game, leaving a lasting legacy.

Steve Owen's impact extended beyond his tactical brilliance. He fostered a culture of Owen's focus and teamwork within the Giants organization, a testament to his leadership and character. He was known for his loyalty to his players and staff, instilling a sense of family within the team. This loyalty extended beyond the playing field, as Owen famously coached with the Giants for 24 seasons on a handshake agreement – a testament to his mutual respect and the Mara family, who owned the team.

The innovator took chances, too, with little things he learned and quick decisions. In the 1934 championship game (now known as the "sneaker game"), he found himself on a frozen field. In a stroke of genius, the New York Giants switched to sneakers in the second half, gaining traction and defeating the Chicago Bears 30-13. This innovative move forever changed the game, as NFL teams always wear rubber-soled shoes on icy fields.

Under the leadership of Coach Owen, the Giants would also claim the NFL title in 1938.

As a coach, Owen had a career win/loss record of 155-108-17 as his teams won eight division titles and two NFL Championships. The G-men under his watch were in eight of the first 14 NFL Title games! Coach Owen's innovations to the game were outstanding, and he is credited with the A-foOwen'sn offense. The umbrella defense, where he dropped four defensive backs to cover the deep field partly to neutralize the powerful Cleveland Browns passing attack after they joined the NFL in the early 1950s. He even participated in implementing the two-platoon system of personnel with specialists in offense and defense. Steve Owen was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966.

Steve Owen retired from coaching in 1953, leaving a legacy far beyond wins and championships. He was pivotal in establishing the New York Giants as a perennial contender, laying the foundation for future success. More importantly, Owen's dedication to defense, his emphasis on fundamentals, and his innovative Owen'ss significantly impacted the game's evolution. He is a testament that leadership, intelligence, and a deep understanding of the game can overcome physical limitations. Steve Owen, the "Rock of New York," remains a towering figure in the Giants' history and an innovator in "the annals of professional football Giants.'

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The 1938 season marked a pinnacle in the New York Giants' history. Under the guidance of coach Steve Owen, the team clinched the NFL Eastern Division title and ultimately captured the NFL Championship, solidifying their status as a dominant force in professional football.

The Giants' regular season was marked by a balanced attack strategy, a testament to their versatility and adaptability. With a record of 8-2-1, they demonstrated their prowess on both sides of the ball. Their defense was a formidable obstacle for opponents, allowing the fewest points in the league. On offense, the team's balanced attack effectively moved the ball down the field and capitalized on scoring opportunities.

-The 1938 Season in NFL Eastern Division

The New York football club needed clear sailing through the season to represent the Eastern Division in the League finals. The Washington Redskins were the front runners of the East teams going into the pivotal games of week 10 of the '38 season. In their way were the defending NFL Champions, the Washington Redskins.

Washington lost to the Chicago Bears 31-7 in week 10, which allowed the Giants to take over the top spot as N.Y. blanked the Cleveland Rams 28-0. Less than a month later, the stage was set for the December 4 game at the Polo Grounds, where the G-Men would host their foes from the Nation's Capitol. This was, in essence, a game for the Eastern Title as the Giants sat at 7–2–1, and the Redskins were perched with a 6-2-2 record going into the contest. It was a win-and-in scenario for Washington, while the Giants could move on with a win or a tie. The game was a rematch from the 1937 season, which Washington won handily 49-14, propelling them to the NFL Championship game victory over the Bears 28-21.

On December 4, 1938, the largest NFL crowd of the season gathered at the Polo Grounds: 57,461 screaming fans, mainly from the Big Apple, witnessed the action.

The Skins were a talented bunch led by star Quarterback Slingin' Sammy Baugh, End Bob McChesney, Fullback Andy Farkas, and fellow fieldmates Ernie Pinkert, Max Krause, and Jay Turner.

The Giants countered with a star-studded roster featuring Quarterback Ed Danowski, backs Tuffy Leemans, Bull Karcis, Ward Cuff, Center Mel Hein, and End Jim Lee Howell.

Much of the stat line for the game was misleading, as Washington outgained New York 207 to 160 in total offensive yards, and the visitors tallied 13 first downs to the Giants 6 times of reaching the line to gain. This is very misleading, as all the other numbers in the game heavily leaned towards the home team.

The Giants' defense was outstanding, forcing seven D.C. fumbles that helped propel Big Blue to a 36-0 route. Four of the five New York TDs were set up on Redskin miscues. The scoring was led by Chuck Gelatka, who caught a Leeman's pass for a score and also took Baugh's interception to the house. Cuff completed a Pick-Six of his own, measuring 96 yards, and added more points off his toe in the kicking game.

-The 1938 Season NFL Championship Game

The Giants' successful season climaxed in the championship game against the Green Bay Packers, held on December 11 at the Polo Grounds. Over 48,000 spectators entered the New York City venue gates to root their teams on. The game was a thrilling contest that showcased both teams' talent and determination.

The Packers had won the Western Division with an 8-4 record, outlasting the challenges of the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears, who were nipping at their heels much of the season. A couple of weeks earlier, a dramatic win by the Pack over the Lions 28-7 and a regular season-ending Eagles victory over Detroit sealed the Green Bay appearance in the Title game.

Under Head Coach Curly Lambeau, Green Bay featured quarterback Arnie Herber and his favorite target, Don Hutson. Other formidable gridiron legends, such as Cecil Isbell, Ed Jankowski, Andy Uram, and Clark Hinkle, were also on the Wisconsin team's roster.

On game day, just before the coin toss, Giant star Mel Hein was presented with a watch by NFL President Joe Carr. This watch signified him as the League's Most Outstanding Player for the season, as he was at the top of the News Pro All-America voting. This award matches the modern NFL Player of the Year honors.

The fans were in for a treat as the game lived up to the hype in one of the season's most exciting NFL contests. Staying true to form, the Giants took advantage of their opponent using opportunities made on defense, and maybe more accurately stated, special teams, and jumped out a nine-point lead in the first quarter on a Ward Cuff field goal set up after New York's Jim Lee Howell blocked a Packer punt the Giants recovered at the Green Bay seven. Three straight rushes were stymied by the Packers short-yardage defense, which set up Cuff's three-pointer.

A bit later, a second Cecil Isbell punt was blocked, this time by Jim Poole, with Howell diving on the ball at the Green Back 26. After a short pass gained ground, the Packers D was loosened up for the Tuffy Leemans show to commence. Leemans was handed the leather on multiple plays until he finally twisted and turned through a reported four would-be Packers tacklers for the Giant's first TD. John Gildea's extra point try missed the mark, but the first quarter ended with the Giants up 9-0.

The second stanza featured a flurry of points between the two teams. Green Bay got on the board when Arnie Herber scrambled and launched a 49-yard strike to Carl Mulleneaux, who stepped under the goal post and over the goal line to cut the New York lead to two.

The momentum was with the Packers, who held the Giants on the next series and got the ball back, moving it to midfield before they fumbled, and New York's future Hall of Famer Mel Hein came out of the pile with the pigskin. The Giants scored a TD of their own six plays later with a short pass from Danowski to Hap Barnard.

Coach Lambeau would later comment that the officials made a bad call on the pass play and claim that moving pictures would show Barnum losing control of the ball and flying out of bounds, making it not a catch but an incomplete pass, which would have nullified the score.

Isbell helped the Packers get back into the game just before the half, leading a drive with his legs and arms that culminated when Paul Miller plunged over the goal line behind the block of his right guard to make the score 16-14 Giants at the intermission.

-It Was a Crazy Half Time Session

Usually, Coach Lambeau would make some adjustments and possibly give a rousing speech in the locker room at the half, but this particular game, the legendary sideline chief was eerily absent.

The halftime session was filled with drama as Curly Lambeau needed clarification from the officials as they were walking off the field and in not following the rest of the team to the Polo Grounds Visitors locker room, Lambeau made a wrong turn and, by some bizarre circumstance, found himself outside of the stadium! When he tried to return, the gatekeepers did not recognize him and would not believe his story to let him reenter.

Eventually, the commotion of Lambeau's pleas was heard by sportswriters who confirmed his identity, and Ole Curly was allowed entrance just in time to go back to the field with the team. The team showed no effects from not having their field boss in the locker room.

-Thrilling Second Half

The second half started with excitement when Green Bay's Joe Law returned the kick-off to the Packers's 31, and a combination of long runs by Clark Hinkle and Bob Monnett moved the drive to the New York fourteen before a fourth and less than a half yard brought on a field goal try. The boot by Paul Engebretsen was true, and the visitors went up by one on the scoreboard. This lead would only be for three minutes.

New York took the ball after the kick and went on a long drive that ended with Giants back Hank Soar snatching an errant pass off Hinkle's fingertips and then tiptoeing across the goal line stripe to put Big Blue up 23-17.

The game had a controversial fourth-quarter play that Lambeau would later point to when an apparent long pass play from Herber to Gantenbein, which would have moved the sticks, was called back by officials who stated that the receiver was ineligible. The Giant's defense held on to the next play and gave New York the ball back. Their drive was stalled, and Green Bay would get the ball back with little time left.

The Packers were not done yet, though. In the last eleven seconds of regulation, the Green Bay offense moved forty yards.

Ultimately, the Giants emerged victorious with a score of 23-17, securing their place in NFL history as champions.  

The 1938 New York Giants were a team defined by their grit, skill, and, most importantly, their unwavering commitment to excellence and opportunistic defensive and special team play. This dedication and determination were critical factors in their championship triumph, a cherished chapter in the franchise's storied legacy.

The legendary Coach Steve Owen has his football life preserved in this presentation post from The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture