Football hasn’t been played at Hofstra since 2009, but the program’s influence is still felt today with four players who once called Shuart Stadium home competing in the National Football League.
Stephen Bowen is a seven-year professional who plays defensive end for the Washington Redskins. A year ago, the 6-foot-5, 310-pound Bowen was named co-defensive captain following a team vote and had 26 tackles and one sack despite tearing his upper left biceps in a Week 14 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Bowen grew up in North Babylon and played at Dix Hills High School before competing at Hofstra where he was a two-year starter. He finished a stellar collegiate career with 168 tackles, 11.5 sacks and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown.
Bowen signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He picked up one sack in his only appearance in a season-ending loss to the Detroit Lions. Bowen moved up the ranks with the Cowboys in the next three years before signing a five-year, $27.5 million contract with the Redskins on July 28, 2011.
Like Bowen, Kyle Arrington was an undrafted free agent, signing with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008. After a brief stay with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arrington has found a home with the New England Patriots where he is a starting cornerback.
He is beginning his fifth year with the Patriots after signing a four-year, $16 million contract during the offseason.
The Acokeek, Maryland native began his Hofstra career in 2004 and played in seven games, recording three tackles as a freshman. As a sophomore, he started seven games, picking up 21 tackles and one forced fumble. He played in 11 games, racking up 69 tackles and an interception as a junior and he recorded 53 tackles with an interception as a senior.
After failing to stick with the Eagles and Buccaneers, Arrington has flourished in New England. He led the NFL with seven interceptions in 2011.
Willie Colon grew up in The Bronx, played at Hofstra and now, after a stellar seven-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the offensive lineman is back home after signing a one-year contract with the Jets in March.
The 6-foot-3, 315-pound offensive guard was a fourth round selection in the 2006 NFL Draft and made his debut that year with the Steelers, starting in Weeks 16 and 17.
Colon was a member of the Steelers Super Bowl XLIII championship team and resigned with the team after the 2008 season for a one-year, $2.2 million deal.
Colon, who played tackle and guard in Pittsburgh, tore his Achilles while working out in the offseason, forcing him to miss the entire 2010 season. After signing a five-year, $29 million contact, Colon tore his triceps in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens and missed the rest of the 2011 season.
Colon was released by the Steelers on March 13, but signed with the Jets just two days later.
Like Colon, Marques Colston is a Hofstra alum who has a Super Bowl ring, helping the New Orleans Saints win Super Bowl XLIV with seven receptions for 83 yards.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound receiver has enjoyed a stellar career with New Orleans, becoming the club’s all-time leader in receiving touchdowns (58). Colston also set an NFL record for most receptions in a player’s first two years with 168.
Colston also rewrote the record books at Hofstra, where he had 182 receptions for a program-best 2,834 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was named to the All-Atlantic 10 first team after a career-high 70 receptions for 976 yards and five touchdowns in 2005.
Colston declared for the 2006 NFL Draft and was selected in the seventh round by the Saints. When Donte Stallworth was traded to the Eagles, it opened the door for Colston to start and he did just that in Week 1, becoming a favorite of quarterback Drew Brees.
Colston started the preseason on the PUP list because of a foot injury, but he returned Aug. 5 after missing just the first week.
Photos courtesy of Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots and New York Jets
