Cecil Dowdy Explained

Cecil Dowdy
Birth Date:9 May 1945
Birth Place:Barton, Alabama, U.S.
Death Place:Helena, Arkansas, U.S.
Number:70
Position1:Offensive tackle
College:Alabama
Playing Years1:1964–1966
Playing Team1:Alabama
Playing Years2:1967
Playing Team2:Cleveland Browns
Playing Years3:1968
Playing Team3:Los Angeles Rams
Playing Years4:1969
Playing Team4:Saskatchewan Roughriders
Career Highlights:

Cecil Dowdy (May 9, 1945 – November 24, 2002) was an American college football player and businessman. He played offensive tackle for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide from 1964 through 1966. He was a member of both the 1964 and 1965 national championship teams. Dowdy was also a unanimous selection to the 1966 College Football All-America Team.

Playing career

College

After a successful high school playing career at Cherokee Vocational High School that culminated with his selection to the 16th annual AHSAA All-Star Game in 1963, Dowdy enrolled at the University of Alabama with an athletic scholarship to play on the football team.[1] After he played on the freshman football squad for the 1963 season, Dowdy stated as an offensive tackle for the three years that followed. Over those three seasons, Alabama amassed an overall record of 30 wins, two losses and one tie (30–2–1) and won three Southeastern Conference (SEC) championships and two national championships.[2]

In recognition for his play on the field, Dowdy was recognized as a unanimous selection to the 1966 College Football All-America Team as an offensive tackle.[3] He was also awarded the Jacobs Blocking Trophy in 1966 as the best blocker in the SEC as selected by the coaches.[4]

Professional

Dowdy was selected in the ninth round (230th overall) of the 1967 NFL/AFL draft by the Cleveland Browns.[5] After a single season with the Browns that saw little playing time, Dowdy was traded to the Los Angeles Rams before the 1968 season, where he was a member of their practice squad.[6] In April 1969, Dowdy signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.[6] He was later waived by the team in July 1969.[7]

Death

Dowdy died on November 24, 2002, at Helena, Arkansas at the age of 57.[8] [9] His death was ruled accidental as his shotgun discharged and hit him in his lower jaw when he was retrieving a duck he hit during a hunting trip at Lambrook, Arkansas.[8] He was pronounced dead at 11:45 a.m at Helena Regional Medical Center.[8]

Notes and References

  1. News: 6 Shoals stars on North squad . The Tri-Cities Daily . July 14, 1963 . 29 . June 16, 2012.
  2. Web site: Member of Tide's All-Century Team killed in hunting accident . November 25, 2002 . RollTide.com . June 16, 2012.
  3. Book: Award Winners . National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) . 2011 NCAA Division I Football Records . 7 . NCAA.org . June 16, 2012 .
  4. News: Dowdy wins trophy as top blocker . Associated Press . The Florence Times . December 22, 1966 . 1 . June 16, 2012.
  5. News: Browns sign Cecil Dowdy . Associated Press . Youngstown Vindicator . March 22, 1967 . 19 . June 16, 2012.
  6. News: Riders sign Dowdy, Aldag . Saskatoon Star-Phoenix . April 18, 1969 . 27 . June 16, 2012.
  7. News: Keys gets Roughrider roster down to the limit . The Leader-Post . July 19, 1969 . 25 . June 16, 2012.
  8. News: Former tide star Cecil Dowdy dies in hunting accident . David . Wasson . The Tuscaloosa News . November 25, 2002 . C1 . June 16, 2012.
  9. News: Cecil Dowdy Jr. – Football Player, 57 . The New York Times . November 27, 2002 . June 16, 2012.