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Cecil Dowdy

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Cecil Dowdy
No. 70
Born:(1945-05-09)May 9, 1945
Barton, Alabama, U.S.
Died:November 24, 2002(2002-11-24) (aged 57)
Helena, Arkansas, U.S.
Career information
Position(s)Offensive tackle
CollegeAlabama
Career history
As player
1964–1966Alabama
1967Cleveland Browns
1968Los Angeles Rams
1969Saskatchewan Roughriders
Career highlights and awards

Cecil Dowdy (May 9, 1945 – November 24, 2002) was an American professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 1964 through 1966. He was a member of both the 1964 and 1965 national championship teams. Dowdy was also named a unanimous All-American in 1966.

Playing career

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College

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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

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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

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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]

References

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