Lowe also holds the Alabama record for most tackles in a season, with 134 stops as a sophomore in 1973.[7] He had a then–school record 315 career tackles, which ranked fourth as of 2025[update].[5]
Professional playing career
After his time at Alabama, Lowe was chosen by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 1976 NFL draft with the 131st overall pick.[1] Bryant told reporters, "That's like getting a fifty-dollar gold piece for fifty cents".[4] Lowe was the first player from Alabama to be drafted by the Chargers.[11] He missed just one game in his 11-year Chargers career,[12] playing in 164 of a possible 165 games with 151 starts at right outside linebacker.[13][10] He was particularly adept as a pass defender,[14] racking up 21 interceptions as a Charger, with four being returned for a touchdown.[11] He also recorded 26 sacks, 17 forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries throughout his career.[1][15]
Lowe was involved in the play known as the "Holy Roller". On September 10, 1978, he was tackling Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler with 10 seconds left in the game. As he was going down, Stabler intentionally fumbled the ball forward, which was eventually picked up and advanced for a touchdown by Dave Casper, leading to a 21–20 win. The play was called "the most zany, unbelievable, absolutely impossible dream of a play" by Raiders' broadcaster Bill King.[16]
Lowe c.1986
In 1979, Lowe had a career-high five interceptions, returning two for touchdowns.[17] He became a team captain in 1980, a role he would serve for seven seasons.[10][18] The Chargers advanced to the AFC Championship Game in both 1980 and 1981, but lost both times.[17] He was among the top defenders of those teams,[17] and was named a Pro Bowl alternate in 1981.[10] Those Chargers squads were more renown for their "Air Coryell" offense.[17]
Lowe missed the only game of his career in 1984 against Seattle. He had a hip pointer and wanted to play, but the Chargers would not allow him.[13] His play began to decline in 1986, when he did not log an interception for just the second time in his career,[13] and he failed to sack the quarterback for the first time.[1][13]
After spending five years with the UAB Blazers serving as special teams coordinator and tight ends coach, Lowe moved back to the high school ranks and became the head coach and athletic director for Central rival Smiths Station.[4][25] He was removed from his position at Smiths Station by the Lee County Board of Education in 2008 after compiling a total record of 12 wins and 19 losses in three years as head coach.[26] Lowe became an assistant coach at Jackson-Olin High School in Birmingham.[25][27] On December 30, 2009, he was named the head coach and returned home to his alma mater Central High. He was 33–13 through four seasons when his coaching contract was not renewed in 2014.[26] The team had already completed spring practice and less than 100 days remained before the season opener.[28] While he remained on staff as a physical education teacher, Lowe protested his removal and requested to be reinstated.[29]
Lowe retired around 2019.[33] His brother Eddie also played as a linebacker with the University of Alabama. He later became the mayor of Phenix City.[33] Lowe's son, Woodrow Jr., was also a high school football coach holding positions at various institutions.[34]
