Charles Wayne "Tinker" Owens was a multi-sport standout at Miami High School, where he lettered in football, basketball and track as a Miami Wardog. In track, he was a state champion in the low and high hurdles and the long jump. He helped guide the MHS basketball team to an undefeated season and the Class 3A state championship in 1972, earning All-Tournament Team honors during the state finals. In football, he was an All-State and prep All-American player for the Wardogs at wingback and free safety. After graduating from MHS in 1972, he went on to the University of Oklahoma, where he was named an All-American at wide receiver in 1974 and 1975 and was part of the OU national championship teams of 1974 and 1975. As a freshman at OU, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1972 Sugar Bowl after catching five passes for 132 yards. He finished his OU career with 70 receptions for 1,619 yards and 11 touchdowns, then was drafted in the fourth round by the New Orleans Saints in 1976 and played six seasons in the NFL.