Bowden Beck was a graduate of Deshler High School where he was a team captain of the 1923 undefeated Tiger football team. Following high school he signed a scholarship to play for Birmingham Southern College where he was know for the success he had running the football against the Rose Bowl bound Alabama Crimson Tide of 1925. After graduation he went on to dental school at the University of Nebraska and continued to participate in basketball, baseball, and track.As a dentist he made an important contribution to the game of football by making mouth pieces for all Deshler football players in the time before they were required.