Woodrow Lowe, one of the greatest linebackers in college football history, passed away on November 6, 2025, at the age of 71. He died at his home in Collierville, Tennessee, after battling a long illness. With his passing, the world of football lost more than a star. It lost a symbol of grit, leadership, and consistency.
Lowe wasn’t just good at football. He defined Alabama’s defense in the 1970s. Playing under legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, he became a starter his freshman year in 1972, the first year freshmen were allowed to play varsity.
Think about that! With all the talent that has come through Tuscaloosa, no one has topped him.
That same year, Alabama won the national championship. Lowe’s fingerprints were all over that win. He wasn’t flashy, but he was everywhere the ball went. Opponents hated seeing No. 44 across from them. He had that edge.
From 1973 to 1975, Lowe was named a First Team All-American every season. Only one other Alabama player had ever done that. During his four years with the Tide, Alabama dominated the SEC, winning the conference every single year. They went 43-5 during his time there.
His 315 career tackles still rank fourth in Alabama history.
The NFL Years
In 1976, the San Diego Chargers drafted Lowe in the fifth round. That sounds low for a player of his caliber, but he made every team that passed on him regret it. He played 11 seasons in the NFL, missing only one game. One! That is 164 out of 165 possible games.
He started 151 of those, locking down the outside linebacker spot with the same tenacity he showed in college. What set him apart? His vision and coverage. Linebackers aren’t usually known for their interceptions, but Lowe had 21. Four of those he took to the house.
Lowe wore the captain’s patch for seven seasons in San Diego. That tells you everything. Teammates trusted him. Coaches relied on him. Fans loved him. He earned spots on both the Chargers’ 40th and 50th anniversary all-time teams.
Woodrow Lowe Taught the Game He Loved
After retiring from the league, Lowe didn’t vanish. He got to work coaching. He spent six years as a defensive assistant in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Oakland Raiders. His football mind was sharp, and teams knew it.
Woodrow Lowe came from a family that knows leadership. His brother, Eddie Lowe, is the current mayor of Phenix City, Alabama. His son, Woodrow Lowe Jr., coaches high school football and serves as an athletic director. Plus, his grandson, Trey Lowe III, played quarterback in college and now coaches wide receivers at Campbell University.
That is three generations still carrying the football torch!
Lowe earned his flowers. He was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2001 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009. He was also in the Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame and the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame. That is a sweep few can match.
