Eddie Lowe (born January 1, 1960) is a former linebacker who played nine seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was recruited in 1983 from the University of Alabama.[1] Eddie Lowe is currently mayor of Phenix City, Alabama. He is the first black mayor of Phenix City.
| Born: | January 1, 1960 Columbus, Georgia, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| CFL status | American |
| Position(s) | LB |
| College | Alabama |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1983–1991 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| CFL All-Star | 1989 |
| CFL West All-Star | 1989 |
Football career
editLowe played American football at Central High School in Phenix City. He attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for a year before transferring to the University of Alabama, where he played for the football team as a walk-on.[2] His older brother, Woodrow Lowe, also played at Central and Alabama, before going on to a career in the NFL. At 5' 10", Eddie was considered too small to play in the NFL, but he was recruited to play Canadian football with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. In 1989, he won the 77th Grey Cup with Saskatchewan and was named a CFL all-star. After the 1991 CFL season, he retired from football.[2]
From 1992 until at least 2012, Lowe volunteered as an assistant to his brother Woodrow, coaching football at their alma mater of Central High School.[2]
Political career
editAfter retiring from football, Lowe began working as a banker. Prior to his election as mayor, Lowe served as president of the Phenix City Board of Education[3] for a decade. In 2012, he was elected the first African-American mayor of Phenix City with 64 percent of the votes cast.[2] He beat three opponents in the race, by a large enough margin to avoid a runoff election.[4]
Personal life
editLowe is married with three children.[5] His brothers include College Football Hall of Fame member Woodrow Lowe and James Lowe, Jr.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Lowe signs". Leader-Post. April 20, 1983. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ a b c d Platta, Dave (November 5, 2012). "Eddie Lowe sworn in as 1st African-American Phenix City mayor". WTVM. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Rice, Mark (December 21, 2013). "Allegations surface against Phenix City Board of Education". Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Chitwood, Tim (August 28, 2012). "Eddie Lowe captures win in 4-man race, becomes Phenix City's first black mayor". Ledger-Enquirer. Archived from the original on January 10, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Whitaker, Teresa (September 23, 2013). "Mayor Eddie Lowe is changing minds about Phenix City". WRBL. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Kausler Jr., Don (August 28, 2012). "Former Alabama football star Eddie Lowe elected as Phenix City's first black mayor". The Birmingham News. Retrieved January 9, 2014.