Net Worth Ranker
What Is Al Cowlings’ Net Worth?
Al Cowlings, a retired American professional football player, has an estimated net worth of $250,000. This figure primarily reflects his earnings from his NFL career, supplemented by smaller roles in acting and other ventures. Cowlings’ financial standing is also influenced by his involvement in the O.J. Simpson case, though details of any associated legal costs or settlements are not publicly available.
Early Life and Football Career
Allen Cedric “A.C.” Cowlings was born on June 16, 1947, in San Francisco, California. He spent his childhood in the Potrero Hill neighborhood. Cowlings’ football journey began at Galileo High School where he played alongside O.J. Simpson, forming a lasting friendship. They continued their football careers together at the City College of San Francisco. Al then played college football at the University of Southern California (USC), where he was a member of the renowned defensive line known as “The Wild Bunch.” This team contributed to USC’s undefeated season during his senior year. Cowlings’ performance at USC led to his selection by the Buffalo Bills as the fifth overall pick in the 1970 NFL Draft.
In 1970, Al Cowlings signed his first NFL contract with the Buffalo Bills. Specific details of the contract, such as the exact salary and signing bonus, are not available in the provided text. However, as a first-round draft pick, Cowlings would have likely received a competitive salary for the time. He played as a starter for the Bills for three years. Following his time with the Bills, he was traded to the Houston Oilers. He played in all games for the Oilers in 1973 and 1974, contributing significantly to their defensive line. Further contract details, such as performance bonuses or incentives, are not mentioned in the provided text.
After playing for the Houston Oilers, Cowlings’ career took him to the Los Angeles Rams. He played five games for the Rams. After being released by the Rams, Al was claimed via the waiver wire by the Seattle Seahawks. After a brief stint with the Seahawks, Cowlings returned to the Rams in 1977. His final attempt to play in the NFL came in 1979 with the San Francisco 49ers before officially retiring from professional football. Specific financial details of his contracts with the Oilers, Rams, and Seahawks are not available in the provided text.
Role in the O.J. Simpson Case and Subsequent Events
Al Cowlings’ involvement in the O.J. Simpson case significantly impacted his public image, though its direct financial impact is less clear. In June 1994, following the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, Cowlings drove the infamous white 1993 Ford Bronco during a low-speed chase with O.J. Simpson. Cowlings claimed he was forced to drive O.J. home after Simpson threatened to commit suicide if Al didn’t comply. Cowlings was arrested for aiding Simpson but charges were dropped due to lack of evidence. While Cowlings avoided legal penalties, the association with the case likely affected his earning potential and public perception. The white Ford Bronco, owned by Al Cowlings, became a cultural symbol due to the televised chase. O.J. Simpson’s former agent, Mike Gilbert, purchased the Bronco soon after the chase for $75,000. As of recent valuations, the Kelley Blue Book value of the car is around $23,000 at its highest price. In 2018, Gilbert mentioned he would consider selling the vehicle for $1 million; he reportedly received offers of up to $500,000.
Following the O.J. Simpson trial, it is not publicly known whether Cowlings faced any financial repercussions in terms of legal fees or settlements. The available information indicates that Cowlings was not charged and therefore would not have faced criminal penalties. However, the reputational damage associated with the case may have impacted his ability to secure endorsements or other financial opportunities.
Acting Career and Other Ventures
Cowlings had minor roles in the entertainment industry, contributing to his overall **net worth**. He appeared in the 1985 film “Bubba Until It Hurts.” He also played a minor role as Coach Nabors in HBO’s football sitcom, “1st & Ten,” which also starred O.J. Simpson. Cowlings served as the technical football advisor for the football scenes in 1991’s “The Last Boy Scout.” Details regarding his earnings from these ventures are not publicly available, but these activities likely contributed incrementally to his **net worth**.
Recognition and Hall of Fame Induction
Al Cowlings was inducted into USC’s 2009 Athletic Hall of Fame alongside Junior Seau, John Robinson, and Rodney Peete. Additionally, the USC Cowlings Residential College is named in his honor. While these honors do not directly translate into monetary value, they reflect his legacy and could contribute to opportunities for public appearances or endorsements. In 2018, O.J. Simpson suggested that Cowlings, along with other former teammates, might be experiencing symptoms of CTE. Further financial data regarding the Hall of Fame induction, endorsement deals, public appearance compensations are not available.
Net Worth: Summary
Al Cowlings’ **net worth** of $250,000 is primarily derived from his earnings as a professional football player, along with smaller incomes from his forays into acting and consulting. While details of his contracts and earnings are not fully available, the provided information gives a general overview of his financial standing.
