Texas Tech footbal alum Tyler Owens makes strange statement at NFL Combine

Each player at the NFL Combine is trying to stand out this week as they audition in front of scouts and decision-makers from every NFL franchise. However, the reason that former Texas Tech safety Tyler Owens is gaining attention might not be the best way to make a first impression.

When addressing the media at the combine, Owens said that he doesn't believe in "space" and "other planets". He also suggested that he has interest in "flat earth" theories.

"I don't believe in space," Owens said. "I'm real religious so I just believe we're [unintelligible] right now. I don't think there's, like, other planets and stuff like that. I don't know."

Owens then went on to admit that he finds flat-earth theories interesting and that those ideas "could be real". Naturally, his remarks generated quite a bit of buzz online.

During his two seasons at Texas Tech, Owens was rather quiet and did not make any other unusual comments. In fact, he was hardly heard from at all.

A former transfer from Texas, he finished his career with 69 tackles at the college level, 56 of those coming at Texas Tech. That included a career-high 37 tackles this past season.

Now, he's trying to earn an opportunity at the next level by performing well at this week's combine. Owens is a superb athlete who was arguably the fastest player on the Red Raider roster during his time in Lubbock.

What's more, at 6-foot-2 and 204 pounds, he has the size that NFL teams covet. Now, he's going to hope those traits turn heads in Indianapolis because his modest production on Saturdays isn't going to be enough to earn him an NFL opportunity alone.

Perhaps it is a good thing that Owens made his strange remarks about space early in the combine process. Now, people all over the country are talking about him when previously, he was on no one's radar outside of NFL scouts.

The defensive backs will work out on Friday so Owens will have his chance to make headlines for something football related. Of course, if he does, and he gets another opportunity to speak to reporters, everyone will be watching closely to see what other strange opinions he might share.