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Al Cowlings

Al Cowlings is an American former professional football player best known as a defensive lineman in the National Football League from 1970 to 1979.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Al Cowlings is an American former professional football player who played as a defensive lineman in the National Football League from 1970 to 1979. He is also widely known for driving O. J. Simpson during the low-speed white Ford Bronco police chase in 1994.

Early life and college

Cowlings was born in San Francisco, California, and attended the University of Southern California, where he played college football for the USC Trojans.

Professional football career

He entered the NFL as the fifth overall pick in the 1970 draft by the Buffalo Bills and played for several teams during the 1970s, including the Houston Oilers, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers. His professional career ran through the 1979 season, during which he recorded 27.0 career sacks in 101 games.

1994 Bronco chase

Cowlings became internationally known for driving O. J. Simpson in the white Ford Bronco police pursuit on June 17, 1994. The event became one of the most publicized news stories in U.S. television history.

Legacy

Cowlings is remembered both for his NFL career and for his connection to the Simpson case. Public references to him often focus on the 1994 chase rather than his football achievements.

Key facts

  • Played college football for the USC Trojans.
  • Selected fifth overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 1970 NFL Draft.
  • Played in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills, Houston Oilers, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers.
  • Recorded 27.0 career sacks in 101 games.
  • Was involved in the 1994 white Ford Bronco chase with O. J. Simpson.
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Canadian context

Canadian interest is limited, but some football databases list a brief 1978 stint with the Montreal Alouettes, connecting Cowlings to Canadian football history.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Al Cowlings?
Al Cowlings is an American former professional football player who played in the NFL from 1970 to 1979 and later became known for driving O. J. Simpson during the 1994 Bronco chase.
What position did Al Cowlings play?
He was listed as a defensive lineman and linebacker during his football career.
Which teams did Al Cowlings play for?
He played for the Buffalo Bills, Houston Oilers, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers.
When was Al Cowlings born?
He was born on June 16, 1947, in San Francisco, California.
What is Al Cowlings most known for outside football?
He is most known for being the driver of O. J. Simpson’s white Ford Bronco during the 1994 police chase.
Did Al Cowlings play in Canada?
Some sources list a brief stint with the Montreal Alouettes in 1978, but his primary professional career was in the NFL.

References

  1. Pro Football Reference — https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CowlAl20.htm
    Supports: Birth date and place, physical measurements, games played, sacks, and career length.
  2. NFL.com — https://www.nfl.com/players/al-cowlings/
    Supports: Player profile, height, weight, college, and player information.
  3. StatsCrew — https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-cowlial001
    Supports: Birth details, position, college, draft position, career years, and team history including Montreal Alouettes.
  4. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Cowlings
    Supports: College team, NFL teams, retirement after 1979, and role in the 1994 O. J. Simpson chase.
  5. French Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Cowlings
    Supports: Full name, birthplace, NFL draft position, career years, and public notoriety from the 1994 chase.