By Darin Bear Bryant built his legendary defenses on the backs of unyielding warriors, and Woodrow Lowe stands as the ultimate testament to Crimson Tide toughness. As one of only two players in Alabama history to earn first-team All-American honors three times, Lowe dominated the gridiron with unparalleled intensity. From his record-setting performances in Tuscaloosa to a stellar, iron-man career in the NFL, this Columbus, Georgia, native forged a legacy as one of the greatest linebackers to ever play the game.
Football Bio
June 9, 1954 – Columbus, Georgia – Woodrow Lowe, a linebacker from Alabama who played from 1972 to 1975 under Coach Bear Bryant, was born.
Lowe was only the second player in Crimson Tide history to be a three-time First Team All-American.
Woodrow set an Alabama single-season record with 134 tackles, propelling his team to the Sugar Bowl and then claiming the national championship.
The NFF states that those accomplishments led to his being named the 1973 Churchman’s National Defensive Sophomore of the Year.
Woodrow Lowe entered the College Football Hall of Fame as part of the 2009 class.
At the 1976 NFL Draft, Lowe was taken in the fifth round by the San Diego Chargers. He played his entire eleven-year NFL career with the Chargers and missed only one game! He tallied up 21 career interceptions, taking four of them to the house.
Woodrow Lowe embodies the heart and soul of championship football. He anchored an Alabama defense that secured four straight SEC titles and a national championship, leaving a legacy that still dominates the university’s record books. Transitioning to the pros, Lowe brought that same relentless drive to the San Diego Chargers, proving his elite durability and playmaking skill over an incredible 11-year span. Today, his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame ensures that fans will forever remember his massive impact on the sport.
Verified Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2009.
- Alabama Sports Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2001.
- 3× First-Team All-American: 1973, 1974 (Consensus), and 1975.
- National Champion: 1973 (Alabama Crimson Tide).
- 4× SEC Champion: 1972–1975.
- 3× First-Team All-SEC: 1973, 1974, 1975.
- 1973 Churchman’s National Defensive Sophomore of the Year: Awarded after setting an Alabama single-season record with 134 tackles.
- NFL Ironman: Played 164 out of a possible 180 games during his 11-year career with the San Diego Chargers, starting 151 of them.
- Pro Bowl Selection: 1981.
- Chargers 40th and 50th Anniversary Teams: Honored as one of the franchise’s all-time greatest defenders.
- Career Interceptions: Recorded 21 interceptions and returned 4 for defensive touchdowns in the NFL.