Owens will get on-field honors from Cardinals (video)

Maricopa High School quarterback Aaron Owens was “flattered” when he heard he was being honored by the Arizona Cardinals for his performance Sept. 4 against Agua Fria.

“Just working hard and getting to this point is really a blessing,” he said. Owens’ total of 537 yards was tops in Arizona and second-best in the country last week. That earned him the Wells Fargo Player of the Week honors from the Cardinals. “I didn’t know I was going to throw for that many passing yards,” Owens said. “I have to give it to my line. They did a good job, and the wide receivers made big plays.”

Adam Richman, community relations coordinator for the Cardinals, arrived during lunch Friday with cheerleaders Kristen and Kaileigh bringing a glass trophy and “goodies” for Owens. The goodies included two Cardinal shirts and a hat plus two tickets to a Thursday game Dec. 10 against the Minnesota Vikings. At that game, Owens will be honored on the field by the Birdwell family, Richman said.

Tamara Owens, Aaron’s mother, said she was excited for him when he told about the honor, but now she wants to see him work even harder as the Rams go into their second game, a road contest against Shadow Mountain tonight. Richman said Phoenix sports media and Cardinals staff members choose Arizona’s top high school player and top high school coach every week. He and members of the cheer squad make two trips every Friday for the presentations.