Football legend Woodrow Lowe reportedly passed away at 71

PHENIX CITY, Ala. (WRBL) — Football legend, former University of Alabama and San Diego Chargers linebacker Woodrow Lowe, has reportedly passed away at the age of 71 on Thursday morning.

Woodrow Lowe is the brother of Phenix City Mayor Eddie Lowe and is known for being a high school football star at Central-Phenix City High School.

Eddie Lowe confirmed with WRBL News 3 that his brother passed away.

Woodrow Lowe was born June 9, 1954, in Phenix City, Alabama. He excelled at Central High School, the University of Alabama and later with the San Diego Chargers.

From 1973 to 1975, under legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, Woodrow Lowe earned All-America honors three times — the only player Bryant ever coached to achieve that distinction. He captained the Crimson Tide and set Alabama’s all-time tackling record at 315, a mark that still ranks among the program’s leaders.

“He’s the only three-time All-American that Coach Bryant ever coached at Alabama,” said his brother, Eddie Lowe.

Eddie Lowe, Billy Jackson and Jeremiah Castille were among the Central High stars who followed Woodrow Lowe to Alabama to play for Bryant.

“Your brother is your brother,” Eddie Lowe said. “He mentored me, Billy and Jeremiah. Woodrow was always a coach. He used to coach us on the sandlots in Phenix City. He was born to be a coach.”

After graduating from Alabama, Woodrow Lowe was selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers.

He played 11 seasons (1976–1986), recorded 1,384 tackles, 16 interceptions and 16.5 sacks.

A Chargers team captain, Woodrow Lowe earned All-AFC honors, a Pro Bowl selection in 1981, and was later named to the Chargers’ 40th Anniversary All-Time Team in 2000.

Following his NFL career, Woodrow Lowe turned to coaching. He spent four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs (1995–1998) and two with the Oakland Raiders (1999–2000), before coaching at the college and high school levels in Alabama and Mississippi. His high school coaching stops included Selma High School, Smiths Station High School, and his alma mater, Central High. He led the Red Devils from 2010 to 2013, compiling a 33–13 record.

Woodrow Lowe is a member of several halls of fame, including the College Football Hall of Fame, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, and the Chattahoochee Valley Sports Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, four children and eight grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.