Stephen Bowen

Bowen was signed as a free agent by the New York Jets on March 24, reuniting with Todd Bowles, who was a Dallas Cowboys assistant coach. He was a reserve player and appeared in 15 games with one start. He announced his retirement on June 1, 2016, signing a one-day contract with the Washington Redskins. Bowen finished with 128 games (57 starts), 175 tackles (103 solo), 12.5 sacks and 9 passes defensed.

Having spent all of training camp on the PUP list, it was confirmed that he would remain there at the start of the 2014 season. He was placed on the active roster on October 18. He was released on February 27, 2015, after appearing in just 8 games (3 starts), while registering 11 tackles and no sacks.

On July 28, the Washington Redskins signed Bowen to a five-year, $27.5 million contract. Bowen was named the starting right defensive end. In his first season with the Redskins, even though he was diagnosed with a third degree PCL tear on November 28, he started in all 16 games for the first time in his career. At the end of the 2011 season, Bowen set new career highs with 58 tackles and six sacks. He received the team's Ed Block Courage Award not just for overcoming injury, but also the passing of his son and his mother-in-law.

Bowen married his college girlfriend Tiffany Johnson, in March 2008. The couple have 3 children-one daughter, Trinity, and twin boys, Stephen III and Skyler. Bowen's twin sons were born four months prematurely on June 28, 2011, the same day he signed with the Redskins. Unfortunately, Skyler died 10 days later. On December 8, 2011, Bowen won the Redskins’ Ed Block Courage Award in recognition of the inspiring way he dealt with Skyler's death.

In 2009, he appeared in all 16 games (2 starts) as the backup to Igor Olshansky and recorded a then career-high 31 tackles, 3 sacks and 33 quarterback pressures. In 2010, he appeared in all 16 games, started 9 in place of an injured Marcus Spears, finished with 25 tackles (10 solo), 12 quarterback pressures, 1.5 sacks and one pass defensed.

In 2007, Bowen served as a back-up to starting right defensive end Chris Canty, recorded 9 quarterback pressures (fourth on the team) and 23 tackles, ranking him 5th on the team among defensive linemen. The next year, he played in 14 games (he was inactive twice) and recorded 28 tackles, 9 quarterback pressures.

Bowen was signed by the Dallas Cowboys on May 4, after going undrafted in the 2006 NFL Draft. He was released on September 2 and signed to the team's practice squad two days later. On November 8, he was promoted to the active roster and appeared in the season-ending loss to the Detroit Lions, recording his first career sack against Jon Kitna.

Bowen is best friends with fellow defensive end, Jason Hatcher. Both of them started their NFL careers with the Dallas Cowboys in 2006.

Stephen Alexander Bowen (born March 28, 1984) is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and New York Jets. He played college football at Hofstra University. He was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame on Long Island in the Football Category with the Class of 2018.