Woodrow Lowe facts for kids
Lowe in 1984
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||
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| Born: | June 9, 1954 Columbus, Georgia, U.S. |
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| Died: | November 6, 2025 (aged 71) Collierville, Tennessee, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 227 lb (103 kg) | ||||||
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| High school: | Central (Phenix City, Alabama) | ||||||
| College: | Alabama (1972–1975) | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1976 / Round: 5 / Pick: 131 | ||||||
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Woodrow Lowe (born June 9, 1954, died November 6, 2025) was an amazing American football player. He was a linebacker for the San Diego Chargers in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Chargers from 1976 to 1986. Before joining the NFL, Lowe played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He played under the famous coach Bear Bryant from 1972 to 1975.
Woodrow Lowe was a three-time All-American player. This means he was recognized as one of the best college football players in the country. He was even chosen for the College Football Hall of Fame. The San Diego Chargers also honored him by including him in their 40th and 50th anniversary teams.
Contents
Discovering Football: Woodrow Lowe's Early Life
Woodrow Lowe was born in Columbus, Georgia, on June 9, 1954. He grew up loving football. He played high school football at Central High School in Phenix City, Alabama. This is where his journey as a football star began.
Becoming a College Football Legend at Alabama
In 1972, Lowe joined the University of Alabama football team. He quickly became a key player for coach Bear Bryant. He was named a first-team All-American three times. This happened in 1973, 1974, and 1975. In 1974, he was a "consensus" All-American, meaning almost everyone agreed he was one of the best.
Lowe is one of only two Alabama players to earn this honor three times. He also helped Alabama win four Southeastern Conference (SEC) championships. In 1973, his team even won a national championship!
Woodrow Lowe still holds an Alabama record for most tackles in a single season. He made 134 tackles in 1973. Throughout his college career, he made 315 tackles, which ranks him third all-time for Alabama.
Playing Professionally for the San Diego Chargers
After his incredible college career, the San Diego Chargers drafted Lowe. They picked him in the fifth round of the 1976 NFL draft. He was the 131st player chosen overall. He was also the first player from Alabama ever drafted by the Chargers.
Lowe played in 164 games for the Chargers and started in 163 of them. He was a team captain and was chosen for the Pro Bowl in 1981. This shows how important he was to his team. Lowe was especially good at defending against passes. He made 21 interceptions during his time with the Chargers. Four of these interceptions were returned for a touchdown. He also recorded 15 sacks throughout his career.
The Famous "Holy Roller" Play
On September 10, 1978, Woodrow Lowe was part of a very famous play. It became known as the "Holy Roller." With only 10 seconds left in the game, Lowe tackled Oakland Raider quarterback Ken Stabler. As Stabler was tackled, he intentionally fumbled the ball forward. Another Raiders player, Dave Casper, picked it up and scored a touchdown. This led to a 21-20 win for the Raiders. People called it an "unbelievable" and "impossible" play!
Life After Playing: Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Lowe became a football coach. He spent six years in the NFL as a defensive assistant. He worked for the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs. Later, he returned to his old high school, Central High, as an assistant coach. His team even won a state championship in 1993!
Lowe also served as the head football coach at Selma High School in Selma, Alabama, from 1994 to 1995. He then coached at Smiths Station. In 2009, he became the head coach at his alma mater, Central High. He coached there for four seasons. He remained on staff as a physical education teacher.
Awards and Honors
Woodrow Lowe received many awards for his amazing career. In 2001, he was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. In 2009, he was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. He was also honored in the Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame and the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame. The Chargers recognized him again by naming him to their 40th and 50th anniversary teams.
Personal Life
Woodrow Lowe retired from his job around 2019. His brother, Eddie, also played linebacker for the University of Alabama. Eddie later became the mayor of Phenix City. Woodrow's son, Woodrow Jr., also became a high school football coach.
Woodrow Lowe passed away at his home in Collierville, Tennessee, on November 6, 2025. He was 71 years old.
