SNOHOMISH – Although living on Tulsa time should come natural for “Big” Ben Bowling, this is bound to be one interesting homecoming.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Everett Hawks quarterback is a native Oklahoman, who spent the better part of the past three seasons as the back-up for the Tulsa Talons.
Ironically, Bowling’s first real opportunity as a starter in nearly two years comes Saturday night when he leads the Hawks into Tulsa for what promises to be an intriguing af2 season opener.
“It’s going to be a good show,” said Bowling who downplayed the drama of his return to Tulsa. “Once I step on the field I’m only concerned with my guys and not really thinking about the other team or their fans.”
Everett coach Cedric Walker hand-picked Bowling to right the fortunes of a team that went 4-12 in 2006.
“The quarterback is the focal point of the team,” Walker said. “Ben’s a leader, there’s not a throw he can’t make and that’s why we got him.”
Bowling, 26, acknowledged leadership is his strong suit.
“That’s the most important attribute for a quarterback,” Bowling said. “You have to have the respect of your teammates so they know you’re the man in charge when it gets to gut-check time.”
Bowling’s history in Tulsa goes beyond his role with the Talons. He is also a hometown football hero in nearby Jenks, a town of about 15,000 located just south of Tulsa.
Even by the lofty standards of football crazed Oklahoma, Jenks High School stands apart.
The Trojans gridiron teams have won 11 state championships since 1979, including, most recently, the 2006 title. Jenks is a juggernaut which is ranked high in national polls year in and year out.
“It is a football factory,” Bowling said, noting that during his three-year varsity career at Jenks, 33 players received Division I scholarships.
Yet, early on in life Bowling leaned towards baseball over football.
“Baseball runs pretty deep in my family,” said Bowling whose father Steve played in the major leagues for Milwaukee and Toronto.
Eventually, football won out and in 1997 and 1998 Bowling led Jenks to the second and third of what became a remarkable string of six consecutive state titles.
In the 1998 title game he out-gunned Union High School quarterback Josh Blankenship – his friend and rival since middle school – who is now the starter for Tulsa.
“We’ve played against each other since we were 12 years old,” Bowling said.
“Middle school, high school and college we’ve had some battles.”
Everett wide receiver Josh Richey, one year younger than his quarterback, is a native Oklahoman who was well aware of Bowling during his own high school days at El Reno.
“Oh yeah,” laughed Richey who played with Bowling’s brother Jared at Northeastern University. “We always heard about Ben and Jenks, Jenks and Ben.”
Following high school Bowling’s scholarship offers included the chance to compete for the quarterback job at Colorado State and Oklahoma State or a strong safety position at Oklahoma.
Bowling opted for the opportunity to play quarterback at Oklahoma State.
He had a promising freshman season for the Cowboys, but saw less action as a sophomore in 2000 and eventually transferred to Northern Arizona, looking for the chance to start.
Instead, during fall practice he suffered a torn ACL injury that required surgery and ended his college football career. Bowling returned to Oklahoma State and finished his degree in finance.
He rehabbed his knee and returned to football with Tulsa in 2004. In 2005 he started the first two games for the Talons, but he was injured in the second game of the season and replaced by his old friend Blankenship, who kept the job.
In 2006 Blankenship went to Stockton, but the Talons brought in Marc Radlinski to be the starter. Radlinski was almost too good last season, and his staggering numbers led to his departure for Grand Rapids of the Arena Football League.
Bowling expected to be the front-runner for the starting job in 2007.
Tulsa’s management had other ideas. Blankenship returned from Stockton to take over behind center for the Talons.
“After the year was over we had a sit-down,” Bowling said. “I was told the best they could do was say I would be the back-up … right then I made the decision I was going to go elsewhere.”
Bowling insists he doesn’t necessarily have a chip on his shoulder about the way he was treated by Tulsa.
“This is a business and they have to do what is best for them,” Bowling said. “At the same time there is a little extra steam in me.”
Bowling’s chief concern is now the Everett Hawks and he brims with a confidence that has rubbed off on coaches and the entire team.
“Ben’s a great leader and a wonderful quarterback,” Richey said. “He doesn’t get rattled under pressure.”
“I thought he should have been the starter at Tulsa,” said Robert Reed, Bowling’s long-time friend, Everett wide receiver, and fellow Oklahoma native who starred for Tulsa in 2004-05. “He’s always been a winner.”
Bowling believes that he, along with a host of teammates, have the talent to play at the AFL level. They intend to prove it as Hawks.
“We have the chance to do something very special in Everett,” Bowling said.
“I have no doubt we will be extremely successful.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
