MONTGOMERY, Ala. – One of the most iconic linebackers in Alabama football lore, Woodrow Lowe has been selected as the 2016 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl Alabama Football Legend Award, presented by Regions Bank.
Lowe was a three-time All-American for the Crimson Tide from 1973-75.
“Woodrow Lowe is one of the all-time great linebackers, not only at Alabama, but in college football history,” Johnny Williams, Raycom Media Camellia Bowl Executive Director said. “We are pleased to recognize his accomplishments on and off the field as this year’s Alabama Football Legend.”
Lowe will be honored at the 2016 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl Alabama Football Legend Luncheon, which will be held Friday, Dec. 16, at the Renaissance Hotel. Tickets for the luncheon are on sale through the Camellia Bowl (guardiankickof.wpengine.com) website.
Previous Alabama Football Legend Award recipients include former Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden (2014) and former Auburn head coach Pat Dye (2015).
Lowe is one of only two three-time All-Americans in Crimson Tide lore. Cornelius Bennett was also a three-time All-American honoree for the Crimson Tide.
“It is certainly and honor to be recognized and to be able to talk to college players and share my experiences with them,” Lowe said. “I am very appreciative to Johnny Williams and the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl for this great honor.”
Lowe made an immediate impact with the Crimson Tide. As a sophomore in 1973, Lowe set the UA single-season record with 134 tackles. The record stands today and is one of the oldest individual defensive records in the UA record books.
“I never thought that record would last this long,” Lowe said of his record-setting season. “That record will be broken one day. It is certainly an honor to represent the University of Alabama.”
He played on three SEC Championship teams and one national championship team during his career. Lowe finished his career with 315 tackles, which is currently fourth all-time in the UA record books.
Following his UA career, Lowe was selected in the fifth round of the 1976 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. He played 11 seasons (1976-86) and missed just one game (played in 162 of possible 163 games) in his NFL career.
Lowe logged 21 career interceptions for 343 yards and four touchdowns. His best season took place in 1979, where he recorded five interceptions for 120 yards and two touchdowns.
After his playing days, he has served as an assistant coach in high school, college and professional ranks. He was also the head coach at Selma High School (1994-95), Smiths Station (2005-07) and Central-Phenix City High School (2010-13). In 2011, he led Central Phenix City to an 11-3 record and berth in the Class 6A state semifinals. The Red Devils scored a school record 551 points in 2011.
The 2016 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl will be played on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 4:30 p.m. (CDT). The game will be televised by ESPN. The Raycom Media Camellia Bowl will be the third of five bowl games to air on ESPN networks on the opening day of the college football bowl season.
Tickets to the third annual Raycom Media Camellia Bowl are on sale via the internet www.espnevents.com/guardian-kickoff/tickets/. Tickets are $30 for reserved seats and $20 for general admission seating.
