Images and Stats of R.C. Owens, 49ers Receiving Star of the 1950s

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Alley Oop!

Richard Clark “R.C.” Owens was born on November 12, 1934, in Moline, Illinois. A gifted multi-sport athlete, he attended the College of Idaho, where he excelled in both football and basketball. Selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1956 NFL Draft, Owens spent that season playing for the Buchan Bakers, a semi-professional basketball team sponsored by the Buchan Baking Company of Seattle, before beginning his NFL career.

Owens earned a roster spot with the San Francisco 49ers in 1957 and quickly made an unforgettable first impression. Standing 6-foot-3 with exceptional leaping ability—he set rebounding records at the College of Idaho—Owens gave the 49ers a unique weapon at wide receiver. His size, athleticism, and basketball background helped him become one of the NFL’s earliest jump-ball specialists.

According to team lore, the 49ers were dragging through an uninspired practice following a loss to the Chicago Cardinals when Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Y.A. Tittle launched a deep pass downfield out of frustration. Owens soared above the defenders to make a spectacular catch. Assistant coach Red Hickey immediately recognized the possibilities and shouted, “That’s it! Alley Oop! Let’s practice it!” The play wasn’t entirely new—Owens had made a similar catch during a preseason game weeks earlier—but from that moment forward, Red Hickey’s “Alley Oop” became a featured part of the San Francisco offense.

The new tactic paid immediate dividends. Owens caught 27 passes for 437 yards and five touchdowns during his rookie season. Three of those touchdown receptions proved to be game-winners against the Rams, Bears, and Lions, helping establish both Owens and the “Alley Oop” as part of NFL history.

After five seasons with the 49ers, Owens joined the Baltimore Colts, where he spent two years backing up future Pro Football Hall of Famer Raymond Berry. Although his receiving numbers were modest, he added another memorable chapter to NFL lore. During a game against the Washington Redskins, Owens leaped high enough to deflect a line-drive field-goal attempt as it passed over the goalposts. The play prompted the NFL to adopt a new rule, declaring the action “goaltending” and making it illegal. Owens concluded his eight-year NFL career with the New York Giants in 1964.

Although R.C. Owens is not usually mentioned alongside the game’s greatest wide receivers, his impact on professional football extends far beyond the statistics. His remarkable athleticism helped popularize the “Alley Oop” pass—a precursor to the jump-ball throws, fade routes, and contested catches that have become staples of the modern NFL passing game. Following his retirement as a player, Owens returned to the San Francisco 49ers organization, where he served in the club’s front office for many years.

Today, R.C. Owens is remembered as one of the most innovative receivers in San Francisco 49ers history. While others may have perfected the art of out-jumping defenders, Owens was among the first to demonstrate how a big, athletic receiver could use size, timing, and leaping ability to change the way the passing game was played—a legacy that continues to influence NFL offenses decades later.

Image Gallery of RC Owens, Receiver, 1957-1964

$RC Owens, here as a back-up wide receiver for the Colts, once blocked a field goal try by deflecting the ball before it crossed the goal post. In 1962 he did it against the Redskins. The NFL would later make this an illegal infraction.$

RC Owens, here as a back-up wide receiver for the Colts, once blocked a field goal try by deflecting the ball before it crossed the goal post. In 1962 he did it against the Redskins. The NFL would later make this an illegal infraction.

RC Owens - the 49ers Legendary Receiver appears in a 1960s San Francisco game program. In 1960 he had 37 catches and team-high 532 yards and 6 touchdowns.

RC Owens does the "Alley Oop" against Jim David and the Detroit Lions in the 1957 Western Conference Title Tie-Breaker game. Both the Lions and the 49ers finished 1957 with 8-4 records. The 49ers went up 24-7 at half-time but the Lions rallied big in the second half to finish the game on top 31-27.

The Alley Oop in Action! 49er receiver RC Owns out-leaps two Detroit Lions defenders in late 1950s NFL gameplay. We think #25 is Lion veteran Jim David.

Still ranks #30 on the 49ers All Time Career Receiving List with 176 catches and #20 in Career Receiving Yards with 2926.

The 49ers legend does the "Alley Oop" between 2 defenders in 1957.

Running behind the blocking of wide receiver RC Owens in 1960. The Bears Joe Fortunato (#31) closes in.

A former basketball player at the College of Idaho he was offered a contract with the Minnesota Lakers but chose to play football with the 49ers instead.

Raleigh Climon Owens, or just RC. Finished his 8 year NFL career with 206 catches, 3285 yards averaging 15.9 yards-per-catch and 20 touchdowns.

"Ally Oop" receiver RC Ownes makes one of his patented leaping grabs over defender's heads.

A 14th round pick from the College of Idaho (where he still holds the All-Time career rebounding record) by San Francisco in 1956. He is credited as the receiver who originated the "Alley Oop" pass. 49er QB YA Tittle would heave a pass over the heads of defenders and Owens would simply out-leap them for the catch. This he used to great effect as he was named the team's Rookie of the Year. He was also the first 49er to gain a thousand yards receiving in 1961 - he had 1032 yards on 55 catches. Was named to the All-Pro Team in 1960.

RC Owens Football Cards and Covers

RC Owens and his 1959 Topps Card- was #3 on the 49ers receivers list with 17 catches.

RC Owens All-Time Career Statistics

Regular Season Receiving & Rushing Totals
							Receiving					Rushing					Total Scrimmage				Fumles
Season	Age	Team	Pos	#	Games	Starts	Catches	Yards	Y/R	Longest	TD	Carries	Yards	Y/A	Longest	TD	Touches	Y/Tch	YScm	Total TDs	Fumles
1957	23	SFO	FL	27	12	12	27	395	14.6	46t	5	0	0			0	27	14.6	395	5	0
1958	24	SFO	FL	27	12	12	40	620	15.5	48	1	0	0			0	40	15.5	620	1	1
1959	25	SFO	SE	27	12	2	17	347	20.4	75t	3	1	0	0.0		0	18	19.3	347	3	0
1960	26	SFO	FL	27	12	10	37	532	14.4	42	6	0	0			0	37	14.4	532	6	1
1961	27	SFO	RHB	27	14	14	55	1032	18.8	54	5	0	23		23t	1	55	19.2	1055	6	1
1962	28	BAL	SE	27	14	4	25	307	12.3	26	2	0	0			0	25	12.3	307	2	1
1963	29	BAL	WR	27	3	0	1	7	7.0	7	0	0	0			0	1	7.0	7	0	0
1964	30	NYG	SE	37	11	1	4	45	11.3	14	0	0	0			0	4	11.3	45	0	0
5 seasons 49ers					62	50	176	2926	16.6	75	20	1	23	23.0	23t	1	177	16.7	2949	21	3
2 seasons Colts					17	4	26	314	12.1	26	2	0	0			0	26	12.1	314	2	1
1 season Giants					11	1	4	45	11.3	14	0	0	0			0	4	11.3	45	0	0
8 Year NFL Career					90	55	206	3285	15.9	75	22	1	23	23.0	23t	1	207	16.0	3308	23	4