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Dwayne Bowe
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Dwayne Lorenzo Bowe (born September 21, 1984) is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He played college football at Louisiana State University, and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft. He played for the Chiefs from 2007 to 2014. He led the NFL in receiving touchdowns with 15 in 2010, earning Pro Bowl and Second-team All-Pro honors. He also played for the Cleveland Browns in 2015.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Bowe and his older brother were raised by their paternal grandparents in Miami, Florida. He was not involved in sports until his junior year in high school, when Bowe decided to join the high school football team at Miami Norland High School.[1][2]
College career
[edit]
Bowe accepted an offer from Nick Saban to play football for Louisiana State University. He ranks among LSU's all-time best wide receivers, at one point holding the school's single-season record for touchdown receptions. (He has since been passed by Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. in 2019.) Bowe appeared in 13 games as a backup for the Tigers' 2003 BCS national championship team. His sophomore year at LSU was his breakout season. After the departure of wide receivers Michael Clayton and Devery Henderson to the NFL, Bowe was poised to become a starter for the Tigers. In the opening game of the year versus Oregon State, Bowe caught a pass from Jamarcus Russell for a 38-yard touchdown strike that sent the game into overtime. The Tigers won that game, and Bowe finished second on the team in receiving yards while becoming one of Russell's favorite targets along with Skyler Green, Early Doucet, and Craig "Buster" Davis. In his junior season (2005), Bowe led the team in receptions, averaging 17.3 yards per catch and setting an LSU record by catching a touchdown pass in seven straight games. Bowe caught the game winner versus Alabama that year, giving LSU a 16–13 OT win in Tuscaloosa. Bowe's senior season (2006) was his best yet. Not only did he lead the team in receptions (65 receptions for 990 yards), he also set another LSU school record with 12 touchdown catches on the year. Bowe led a trio of receivers including Doucet and Davis that combined for 180 catches, 2,598 yards, and 24 touchdowns.[3]
Professional career
[edit]Pre-draft
[edit]Regarded as one of the top wide receivers available in the 2007 NFL draft,[4] Bowe drew comparisons to Hines Ward.[5]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 2+1⁄4 in (1.89 m) |
221 lb (100 kg) |
34+1⁄4 in (0.87 m) |
9+5⁄8 in (0.24 m) |
4.57 s | 1.64 s | 2.69 s | 4.35 s | 6.81 s | 33 in (0.84 m) |
10 ft 5 in (3.18 m) | ||
| All values from NFL Combine[6][7] | ||||||||||||
Kansas City Chiefs
[edit]2007 season
[edit]He was selected in the first round with the 23rd overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs.[8] Alongside his former teammates JaMarcus Russell and Buster Davis, the trio became the first quarterback/wide receiving group to be selected in the first round of the draft. On August 5, 2007, Bowe signed a five-year contract with the Chiefs, after holding out the first week of practice at training camp.[9]
Bowe scored on a pass from Damon Huard in the first half of the game against the Chicago Bears on September 16, 2007.
In his rookie season, Bowe led all first-year receivers in receptions (70), yards (995), and touchdowns (6).[10] His reception and yardage totals set franchise records for Chiefs' rookie receivers. Bowe also set the team's single-game rookie receiving record with 164 yards against the San Diego Chargers on September 30, 2007.
2008 season
[edit]In the season opener of the 2008 season, Bowe recorded five receptions for eighty–nine yards, but he also dropped 4 passes, including a game–winning catch in the endzone on first and goal.[11] He went on to obtain 1,022 yards receiving and ended the season 4th in the NFL with 86 receptions.[12] In his last game of the 2008 season Bowe gained 103 yards with 10 receptions in a loss to the Bengals.[13]
2009 season
[edit]Playing with new quarterback Matt Cassel, Bowe finished the season with 589 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 11 games.[14] On November 17, 2009, Bowe was suspended for 4 games for violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy, after he tested positive for a diuretic.[15]
2010 season
[edit]
Bowe got off to a slow start in Chiefs' 2010 campaign, catching only 9 passes in the team's first 4 games. In the Chiefs' fourth game against the Indianapolis Colts, Bowe dropped crucial passes including one in the endzone which would have given them the lead, as the Chiefs' suffered their first loss 9–19. On October 17, 2010, Bowe caught 6 passes for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Houston Texans in a game that the Chiefs lost 31–35. The following week was prolific for Bowe once again, as he hauled in 3 receptions for 81 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 42–20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. In Week 8 against the Buffalo Bills he caught 3 passes for only 16 yards but again found the endzone, helping his team win against the Buffalo Bills, 13–10. In Week 9's match-up with the Oakland Raiders he caught 5 passes for 63 yards, adding another touchdown as well. The Chiefs went on to lose the game in overtime, 20–23. On November 14, 2010, almost a year after his drug suspension, Bowe set new career-highs for receptions and receiving yards in a single game versus the Denver Broncos. As the Broncos took a 35–0 lead, the Chiefs were forced to air it out. Bowe was targeted 18 times and caught 13 passes for 186 yards. He had 2 touchdowns as well. That was Bowe's fifth straight game with a touchdown reception. The Chiefs lost the game, 29–49. In Week 11, against the struggling Arizona Cardinals Bowe extended his streak to six straight games with a touchdown, this time coming up with 2. That set a team record for most games with a touchdown catch. He finished the game with 6 receptions for 109 yards and helped his team en route to a 31–13 win. The following week, in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks Bowe caught 8 passes while gaining 120 yards. Two of the receptions went for touchdowns. In the second half, he added five more receptions, including his third touchdown of the game. He extended his streak to 7 straight games with a score, thus breaking the Kansas City Chiefs franchise record of 6 straight games with a touchdown. Bowe also broke the Chiefs' franchise record for most touchdowns in a single season during the game against the Seattle Seahawks in week 12. He was invited to the 2011 Pro Bowl. He was also named a Second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press.[16] He was ranked 45th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011.[17]
2011 season
[edit]Bowe had three games going over the 100-yard mark in the 2011 season. He finished the 2011 season with 81 receptions, 1,159 receiving yards, and 5 receiving touchdowns.[18]
2012 season
[edit]On March 5, 2012, the Chiefs placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on Bowe.[19] On August 17, Bowe signed a 1-year, $9.5 million tender, ending a lengthy holdout.[20] In Week 14, Bowe injured his ribs while making a block, and on December 14, the Chiefs placed Bowe on injured reserve.[21]
In the 2012 season, Bowe had 59 receptions for 801 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in 13 games.[22]
2013 season
[edit]On March 4, 2013, Bowe signed a five-year contract.[23] Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported that Bowe became the NFL's third highest-paid wide receiver in terms of total compensation on his contract. His deal was for $56 million over five years and included $26 million in guaranteed money plus a $15 million signing bonus, according to someone who had seen the deal. In year one, Bowe earned $16 million with a base salary of $750,000 and a workout bonus of $250,000. In the first three years, Bowe would have earned $36 million.
In the 2013 season, Bowe had 57 receptions for 673 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns in 15 games.[24] He had eight receptions for 150 receiving yards and a touchdown in the 45–44 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card Round.[25]
2014 season
[edit]On August 15, 2014, the NFL announced Bowe would be suspended for one game. Bowe served his suspension in the Chiefs first game of the season against the Tennessee Titans on September 7, but was allowed to play in the preseason.[26] The suspension was a result of his arrest for possession of a controlled substance on November 10, 2013.[27] On November 2, 2014, against the New York Jets, Bowe caught his 500th pass.[28] In the 2014 season, Bowe recorded 60 receptions for 754 receiving yards in 15 games.[29]
The Chiefs released Bowe on March 12, 2015, after eight seasons with the team.[30]
Cleveland Browns
[edit].jpg)
On March 19, 2015, Bowe was signed to a two-year contract from the Cleveland Browns for up to $13 million and $9 million guaranteed.[31]
Although Browns general manager Ray Farmer signed Bowe during the offseason, head coach Mike Pettine chose not to use him throughout the season, saying he was not among the top four receivers on the team.[32] Bowe made his Browns debut during a Week 2 matchup against the Tennessee Titans but was held without a catch. He did not make a reception until Week 9 at the Cincinnati Bengals. He finished the game with a season-high 3 catches for 31 yards. During his first season with the Browns, Bowe appeared in only 7 contests, had 5 catches, and no starts.[33] Throughout the season, he was deactivated for most games and the fourth or fifth receiver on the depth chart behind Travis Benjamin, Brian Hartline, Taylor Gabriel, and Andrew Hawkins. Bowe's effort and commitment to play football came into question throughout the entire season.[34]
The Browns released Bowe on March 16, 2016.[35]
Retirement
[edit]Bowe officially announced his retirement on May 16, 2019, after signing a one-day ceremonial contract with the Chiefs.[36]
NFL career statistics
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Receiving | Rushing | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2007 | KC | 16 | 15 | 70 | 995 | 14.2 | 58 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | KC | 16 | 16 | 86 | 1,022 | 11.9 | 36 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | KC | 11 | 9 | 47 | 589 | 12.5 | 41 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 | KC | 16 | 16 | 72 | 1,162 | 16.1 | 75T | 15 | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | KC | 16 | 13 | 81 | 1,159 | 14.3 | 52T | 5 | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | KC | 13 | 12 | 59 | 801 | 13.6 | 47 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| 2013 | KC | 15 | 15 | 57 | 673 | 11.8 | 34 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | KC | 15 | 15 | 60 | 754 | 12.6 | 37 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 |
| 2015 | CLE | 7 | 0 | 5 | 53 | 10.6 | 16 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 125 | 111 | 537 | 7,208 | 13.4 | 75 | 44 | 2 | 16 | 8.0 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 1 | |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Dwayne Bowe, 2003 Wide Receiver, Louisiana State". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ Fernandez, Andre (September 21, 2023). "Miami Norland riding momentum as it braces for toughest challengers to date". Miami Herald. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ "2006 LSU Fighting Tigers Stats". Sports Reference. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ Rang, Rob (April 19, 2007). "NFL Prospects: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends". CSTV.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2007.
- ^ "Pro Football War Room: Dwayne Bowe". SportingNews.com. April 29, 2007. Archived from the original on August 20, 2009.
- ^ "Dwayne Bowe Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
- ^ "Dwayne Bowe, LSU, WR, 2007 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
- ^ "2007 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
- ^ "Chiefs agree to deal with first-round pick Bowe". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 5, 2007. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ "Dwayne Bowe 2007 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ Whitlock, Jason (September 7, 2008). "Blame Bowe and Carl for this loss". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on September 15, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2008.
- ^ "Dwayne Bowe 2008 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ "Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals - December 28th, 2008". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ "Dwayne Bowe 2009 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ "Chiefs WR Bowe suspended for drug violation". Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 22, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2009.
- ^ "Brady, AFC players dominate selections on AP All-Pro Team". NFL.com. Associated Press. January 24, 2011. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
- ^ "2011 NFL Top 100". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ^ "Dwayne Bowe 2011 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ "Chiefs beat deadline to apply franchise tag to WR Bowe". NFL.com. March 5, 2012. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ Rosenthal, Gregg (August 17, 2012). "Dwayne Bowe signs Kansas City Chiefs franchise tag". NFL.com. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ^ Skretta, Dave (December 15, 2012). "Chiefs put WR Dwayne Bowe on injured reserve". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on December 19, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ "Dwayne Bowe 2012 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ Rosenthal, Gregg (March 4, 2013). "Dwayne Bowe signs $56M deal with Kansas City Chiefs". NFL.com. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ^ "Dwayne Bowe 2013 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ "Wild Card - Kansas City Chiefs at Indianapolis Colts - January 4th, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ "Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe suspended one game for violating NFL drug policy". SI. August 15, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
- ^ Pekarsky, Michelle (November 12, 2013). "Chiefs' wide receiver Dwayne Bowe arrested for speeding, possession". FOX 4 Kansas City. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
- ^ "Chiefs' Dwayne Bowe Records 500th Career Reception". Bleacher Report. January 1, 1970. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
- ^ "Dwayne Bowe 2014 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ Hanzus, Dan (March 12, 2015). "Dwayne Bowe released by Kansas City Chiefs". NFL.com. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
- ^ "Browns sign WR Dwayne Bowe". Archived from the original on March 21, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
- ^ McManamon, Pat (October 21, 2015). "Mike Pettine: Dwayne Bowe not among Browns' top four WRs". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ^ "Dwayne Bowe 2015 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
- ^ NFL.com. "NFL Player Profile:Dwayne Bowe". Retrieved December 16, 2015.
- ^ Sessler, Marc (March 16, 2016). "Cleveland Browns release receiver Dwayne Bowe". NFL.com. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
- ^ Alper, Josh (May 16, 2019). "Dwayne Bowe signs one-day contract to retire with Chiefs". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
External links
[edit]- LSU Tigers bio Archived February 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
Media related to Dwayne Bowe at Wikimedia Commons
Dwayne Bowe
View on GrokipediaEarly years
Childhood and family background
Dwayne Bowe was born on September 21, 1984, in Miami, Florida.[3] Bowe was raised primarily by his paternal grandmother in the Carol City neighborhood of Miami, as his biological parents were largely absent from his life.[5] This family structure stemmed from broader circumstances, including a single mother and an uninvolved father, leading Bowe to help care for his five younger siblings amid a turbulent household.[5] His grandmother provided essential stability and guidance, shaping his resilience in a community plagued by drugs, violence, incarceration, and loss—experiences that included relatives dying from AIDS and siblings facing serious legal troubles like murder charges.[5] The gritty environment of Carol City, a suburb of Miami renowned for producing athletic talent despite its challenges, offered Bowe early exposure to sports as a potential outlet for the aggression and energy surrounding him.[5] Family encouragement, particularly from his grandmother who emphasized discipline and perseverance, further influenced his mindset toward structured activities. Bowe also found temporary escapes in freestyle rapping with a cassette player, but the local culture of competitive sports in Miami's urban landscape began to draw him toward physical pursuits.[5] Bowe's initial interest in football emerged during his junior year at Miami Norland Senior High School, marking his transition to organized sports after a street brawl caught the attention of a coach who saw potential in channeling his energy productively.[5][6]High school career
Bowe attended Miami Norland Senior High School in Miami, Florida.[7] Although he had no prior experience in organized football, Bowe joined the Vikings team as a junior and rapidly emerged as a standout wide receiver, highlighted by his first career play—a 101-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.[6] During his senior season in 2002, Bowe helped lead Norland to the school's first state championship, recording 40 receptions for 822 yards and 14 touchdowns despite sustaining a bruised foot late in the year.[7][8] As a highly touted prospect, Bowe committed to Louisiana State University (LSU), where he was recruited by head coach Nick Saban.[7][6]College career
Early seasons at LSU
Dwayne Bowe, a highly touted recruit from Miami, Florida, committed to LSU after a competitive recruitment process led by head coach Nick Saban, marking his transition as an out-of-state talent to the Southeastern Conference program.[7] As a true freshman in 2003, Bowe appeared in all 13 games for the Tigers, serving primarily as the fourth receiver in the wideout rotation behind established starters like Michael Clayton and Devery Henderson.[7] He recorded 9 receptions for 106 yards, leading all LSU freshmen in receiving production despite limited snaps, and contributed to the team's undefeated regular season and BCS National Championship victory over Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl.[7] Adjusting to college football's physicality and the demands of an SEC schedule as a newcomer from out of state presented integration hurdles, including adapting to team dynamics and academic responsibilities in a new environment, though Bowe focused on earning playing time through consistent practice efforts.[9] In his sophomore year of 2004, Bowe emerged as a key contributor, starting 10 of 12 games and posting 39 receptions for 597 yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging 15.3 yards per catch.[7] His development under Saban emphasized route-running precision and blocking skills, helping him become a reliable target in LSU's pro-style offense amid quarterback transitions.[7] Bowe played a supporting role in the Tigers' SEC Western Division title and appearance in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia, where his speed and contested-catch ability aided the passing game during a season that ended with a Capital One Bowl win over Iowa.[7] These early seasons solidified Bowe's foundation, as he navigated the rigors of out-of-state recruitment by building rapport with coaches and teammates while balancing academics and on-field growth.[7]Later seasons and achievements
In his junior season of 2005, Dwayne Bowe established himself as a key offensive weapon for LSU, leading the team with 41 receptions for 710 yards and a team-high 9 touchdown catches while starting nine of the Tigers' 12 games.[7][9] His performance ranked him among the SEC leaders, tied for second in touchdown receptions and fourth in receiving yards.[9][10] Bowe's senior campaign in 2006 marked his peak at LSU, where he recorded 65 receptions for 990 yards and set a school record with 12 touchdown receptions, leading the SEC in that category.[7][9] For his efforts, he earned First-Team All-SEC honors from the conference coaches, Second-Team All-SEC from the Associated Press, and was named a Third-Team All-American by Rivals.com; he also appeared on the Biletnikoff Award watch list as one of the nation's top receivers, and was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week on October 21 against Fresno State.[7][11] Over four seasons with the Tigers, including early contributions to their 2003 national championship team, Bowe compiled 154 receptions for 2,403 yards and 26 touchdowns, then entering the 2007 NFL Draft as an eligible senior.[9][7]Professional career
Draft and rookie year
Bowe was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 23rd overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft.[1] His draft stock was bolstered by a standout college career at LSU, where he recorded 990 receiving yards in his senior year.[9] At the NFL Scouting Combine, Bowe measured 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 221 pounds, while running the 40-yard dash in 4.51 seconds.[12] Following the draft, Bowe signed a five-year rookie contract with the Chiefs worth $9 million, including a $1.4 million signing bonus.[13] The deal provided a solid foundation for his professional transition, allowing him to focus on adapting to the NFL without immediate contract negotiations. In his rookie season of 2007, Bowe appeared in all 16 games for the Chiefs, starting 15, and established himself as a key offensive contributor.[1] He finished with 70 receptions for 995 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns, leading all NFL rookies in those categories.[14] His performance earned him a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-Rookie Team.[15]Kansas City Chiefs tenure
Bowe's early years with the Kansas City Chiefs after his rookie season were marked by challenges, including injuries, a suspension, and ongoing quarterback instability. In 2008, he achieved a career-high 86 receptions for 1,022 yards and 7 touchdowns across 16 games, despite the team rotating through multiple quarterbacks such as Brodie Croyle, Tyler Thigpen, and Damon Huard.[1] The following year, Bowe's production dipped due to a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances and additional injuries that limited him to 11 games, resulting in 47 receptions for 589 yards and 4 touchdowns.[16][1] The Chiefs continued to struggle with quarterback turnover in 2009, starting Croyle and Thigpen before acquiring Matt Cassel midseason. Bowe broke out in 2010, leading the NFL with 15 receiving touchdowns while recording 72 receptions for 1,162 yards in 16 games, which earned him his first Pro Bowl selection and Second-team All-Pro honors.[1][17] He followed with consistent performance in 2011, amassing 81 receptions for 1,159 yards and 5 touchdowns over 16 games.[1] In 2012, despite a training camp holdout stemming from the Chiefs' placement of the franchise tag on him—worth approximately $9.5 million—Bowe signed the tender and played 13 games, posting 59 receptions for 801 yards and 3 touchdowns amid coaching changes and a 2-14 team record.[18][1] Bowe's role remained prominent in 2013 and 2014 following a five-year, $56 million contract extension that included $26 million guaranteed. In 2013, he recorded 57 receptions for 673 yards and 5 touchdowns in 15 regular-season games, contributing to the Chiefs' 11-5 record and AFC West title; in the playoffs, he added 5 catches for 46 yards during a wild-card loss to the Indianapolis Colts.[1] The next season, Bowe had 60 receptions for 754 yards but no touchdowns in 15 games as the Chiefs finished 9-7 and missed the postseason.[1] Over his eight seasons with the Chiefs from 2007 to 2014, Bowe appeared in 118 games, totaling 532 receptions for 7,155 yards and 44 touchdowns, establishing himself as the team's primary wide receiver during a period of franchise rebuilding.[1]Cleveland Browns stint
Following his release from the Kansas City Chiefs on March 12, 2015, wide receiver Dwayne Bowe signed a two-year contract with the Cleveland Browns on March 19, 2015, worth $12.5 million with $9 million guaranteed, including a $3.5 million signing bonus.[13][19] Bowe's tenure with the Browns proved short and unproductive during the 2015 season, as he appeared in only seven games without starting any, hampered by a hamstring injury sustained in training camp that sidelined him for multiple weeks.[1][20] In limited action, he recorded five receptions for 53 yards and no touchdowns, averaging just 19% of the team's offensive snaps due to his position low on the depth chart behind receivers like Travis Benjamin and Taylor Gabriel.[1][21] His minimal production was further exacerbated by the Browns' quarterback instability, with primary starters Josh McCown—who completed 63.7% of his passes for 2,109 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions—and Johnny Manziel—who completed 57.8% for 1,500 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions—struggling to sustain an effective passing attack for a team that finished 3-13.[22][23][24] Bowe was also a healthy inactive for several games, including three of the final four, contributing to his frustration over limited opportunities.[25] The Browns released Bowe on March 16, 2016, clearing $3.4 million in cap space after his underwhelming performance failed to justify the investment, effectively ending his NFL playing career at that point.[13][26]Retirement and legacy
Official retirement
Following his release by the Cleveland Browns in March 2016, after a disappointing 2015 season in which he recorded just five receptions, Bowe remained unsigned by any NFL team and did not appear in another game.[27][28] On May 16, 2019, Bowe officially retired from the NFL by signing a one-day ceremonial contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, the team where he spent the majority of his nine-year career.[29][28] His decision was driven by a desire to conclude his professional playing days as a Chief, a sentiment he expressed as deeply meaningful to both himself and his family during the signing with head coach Andy Reid.[29] The physical toll from multiple injuries sustained throughout his career, including rib, neck, and groin issues, also factored into his choice to step away permanently after not playing since 2015.[30][31][28] The retirement included a tribute video released by the Chiefs, highlighting Bowe's key contributions in Kansas City, such as his three 1,000-yard receiving seasons, 2010 Pro Bowl selection, and franchise records for a wide receiver in career receptions (532) while ranking second in receiving yards (7,155) behind only Otis Taylor.[32][33][34] The video featured symbolic elements like a simulated final touchdown catch from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, underscoring Bowe's lasting legacy with the organization.[33]Post-NFL activities
Following his release from the NFL by the Cleveland Browns in March 2016, Dwayne Bowe transitioned into coaching and mentoring young football players in his hometown of Miami, Florida, where he co-founded the All Pro Academy with former NFL quarterback JaMarcus Russell to provide elite training for aspiring wide receivers.[35] The program emphasizes pro-level techniques such as route-running, stance refinement, and contested catches, drawing on Bowe's experience as a former first-round draft pick and All-Pro player to guide youth athletes toward competitive success.[36] Bowe has maintained a visible media presence to share insights on his career and life after football, including an NPR interview on February 6, 2025, where he discussed the Kansas City Chiefs' legacy ahead of Super Bowl LIX.[37] Bowe has been actively involved in youth programs and community initiatives through the 82 Ways Foundation, which he co-founded with his wife, Theresa Bowe, in 2021 to support children's education, combat domestic violence, and foster personal development in underserved communities.[38] Leveraging his NFL earnings, the foundation partners with organizations like The Next Paige Agency to fund arts-based youth development programs that build confidence and creativity among Miami-area children.[39] These efforts include galas and events that raise awareness and resources for at-risk youth, reflecting Bowe's commitment to giving back in South Florida.[40] As of 2025, Bowe remains active as a mentor through his academy and foundation work, with no plans to return to professional sports, allowing him to focus on personal endeavors enabled by his ceremonial retirement as a Chief in 2019.NFL career statistics
Regular season
Dwayne Bowe appeared in 125 regular-season games across nine NFL seasons from 2007 to 2015, starting 112 of them as a wide receiver primarily with the Kansas City Chiefs and briefly with the Cleveland Browns. Over his career, he amassed 537 receptions for 7,208 yards and 44 receiving touchdowns, averaging 13.4 yards per reception.[1] Bowe's production peaked in 2010, when he recorded 72 receptions for 1,162 yards and a league-leading 15 touchdowns in 16 starts, contributing significantly to the Chiefs' offense that year.[1] His receiving yards per game averaged 57.7 across his career, reflecting consistent involvement as a primary target despite varying team quarterback situations.[1] The following table summarizes Bowe's regular-season receiving statistics by year:| Year | Team | Games (GS) | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns | Yards/Reception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | KAN | 16 (15) | 70 | 995 | 5 | 14.2 |
| 2008 | KAN | 16 (16) | 86 | 1,022 | 7 | 11.9 |
| 2009 | KAN | 11 (9) | 47 | 589 | 4 | 12.5 |
| 2010 | KAN | 16 (16) | 72 | 1,162 | 15 | 16.1 |
| 2011 | KAN | 16 (14) | 81 | 1,159 | 5 | 14.3 |
| 2012 | KAN | 13 (12) | 59 | 801 | 3 | 13.6 |
| 2013 | KAN | 15 (15) | 57 | 673 | 5 | 11.8 |
| 2014 | KAN | 15 (15) | 60 | 754 | 0 | 12.6 |
| 2015 | CLE | 7 (0) | 5 | 53 | 0 | 10.6 |
| Career | - | 125 (112) | 537 | 7,208 | 44 | 13.4 |