Raider Legend Burgess Owens is scheduled to be at The Raider Image on the Universal City Walk outside Universal Studios Hollywood on May 28, 2011. He will be available for pictures and autographs from 6pm to 9pm.
The Raiders won Super Bowl XV in Owens’ first season as the team’s starting free safety. He was originally drafted out of Miami (FL) in the first round of the 1973 draft (13th overall) by the New York Jets where he spent the first seven years of his career. He was signed by the Raiders in 1980 after his two best seasons in the NFL in which he had 5 and 6 interceptions per season in 1978-79.
He averaged 3 interceptions a season for the Raiders, which was also his career average. He started every game at free safety in his three seasons in Silver and Black. He also scored a touchdown in each of his first two seasons. He had four interceptions his final season despite the strike shortening the season to 8 games.
He would retire after the 1982 season after 10 years in the NFL, all with the Jets and Raiders.
The Raider Image is located at the far end of the Universal City Walk, furthest from the Universal Studios entrance right next to the Bowling alley and arcade (behind Hard Rock cafe).
This Raider Image typically has an autograph signing every year in early June to commemorate the anniversary of it's openning. Last season was their ten year anniversary and it was supposed to be a bigger event but it was eventually canceled. This year may end up being canceled as well with the NFL lockout prohibiting such things.
All this means that this could very well be the one and only signing event the Raiders hold in the Los Angeles area this year. But, keep in mind that the Raiders quite often have additional Raider legends in attendance as well. Last signing event had unexpected guests Jim Otto and Greg Townsend.
So bring your items to be signed and your cameras and leave with some mementos.
For more information, visit the Universal City Walk website and The Raider Image website.
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