Al Cowlings Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts

Al Cowlings Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Subheadline: Al Cowlings is a former NFL standout best known for his football career and his role in one of America’s most-watched police chases.

Introduction

Allen Cedric “A.C.” Cowlings, born June 16, 1947, is an American former professional football player who first made his mark as a dominant defensive lineman at University of Southern California (USC) and went on to a nine-year career in the NFL. He is perhaps most widely known for his involvement in the June 17, 1994 police chase of his longtime friend O. J. Simpson, when Cowlings was behind the wheel of the white Ford Bronco. While his athletic career laid the foundation of his public profile, today discussions around Al Cowlings often focus on the legacy of that chase and its cultural reverberations. His estimated net worth stands at approximately $250,000. 

Though details about his romantic life are limited in public records, Cowlings has kept his personal relationships largely private. The following table summarizes key facts about his life:

Quick Facts

From Local Ambition to National Spotlight

Growing up in the Potrero Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, Al Cowlings attended Galileo High School, where he formed a close bond with fellow athlete O.J. Simpson.  He went on to play at City College of San Francisco and then USC, where in 1969 he earned First-team All-American honors and anchored a defensive line nicknamed “The Wild Bunch”.  Drafted fifth overall in the first round of the 1970 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, Cowlings started his professional career with high expectations. 

Defining moments in Al Cowlings’s journey include:

• His selection at 5th overall in the 1970 NFL Draft by the Bills

• Playing on USC’s 1969 undefeated team and earning All-American honors

• Transitioning through multiple NFL teams over a nine-year career (1970–1979)

• Driving the white Ford Bronco during the 1994 police chase tied to Simpson

The Core Pillars of Cowlings’s Wealth Include:

• NFL career earnings – as a first-round pick he earned professional salaries, though not at today’s mega-contract levels

• Post-career ventures and appearances – including television and film cameo work, and occasional business or sales roles

• Public visibility from the Bronco chase – while not purely monetized, the notoriety sustained his profile

Relationships & Family Life

While Al Cowlings’s career has been well-documented, his personal life is markedly private. He and O.J. Simpson were childhood friends and teammates; their relationship spanned high school, college and professional football.  Earlier in high school, Cowlings dated Marguerite Whitley, who later married Simpson — a moment that introduced tension yet did not sever their enduring friendship. 

Key insights into Al Cowlings’s relationships and personal life:

• He remained loyal to O.J. Simpson through decades of friendship, despite personal challenges

• His relationship with Marguerite Whitley reflects overlapping social and athletic circles in San Francisco

• Public records do not confirm a long-term spouse or widely-reported children

Beyond Career Success, Al Cowlings Leads a Lifestyle That Reflects Both Passion and Purpose, Including:

• Volunteer work reportedly at a horse-therapy ranch in Southern California. 

• Participation in the USC Athletic Hall of Fame induction in 2009, and a USC residential college named in his honor. 

• Maintenance of a low-profile life post-football, reportedly working in sales and business roles. 

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

Estimating Al Cowlings’s net worth requires examination of varied income sources and changes over time.

Although Cowlings’s net worth is modest compared to many former athletes, the figure of about $250,000 aligns across several public estimations.  It’s important to note that this estimate does not capture private holdings, undisclosed assets, or any changes that may have occurred after the last public assessment.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Al Cowlings occupies a complex place in American cultural memory. On the one hand, he is respected for his athletic achievements—from USC’s defensive powerhouse to an NFL career. On the other, his role in the Bronco chase positions him as a figure connected with one of the most sensational legal and media episodes of the 1990s. That juxtaposition has shaped how he is viewed: loyalty and friendship on one side, controversy and complicity on the other. Over the years, his public image has softened into that of a once-prominent athlete who now maintains a quiet life out of the limelight. His legacy remains a mix of sports prowess, friendship gone public, and the blurred lines between teammate and confidant.

Conclusion

Al Cowlings’s story is one of athletic promise, steadfast bonds, and public infamy. Born June 16, 1947, he rose from a San Francisco neighborhood to the heights of collegiate and professional football, and later found himself at the center of one of the most-watched car chases in U.S. history. Today, his estimated net worth stands at around $250,000, and his relationships—especially the one with O.J. Simpson—remain part of his enduring narrative. While his birthday continues to be June 16 each year, his influence lies less in headline numbers and more in the unfolding of a life lived in connection with iconic moments. His legacy underscores how friendship, loyalty and athletic achievement can converge in ways that resonate far beyond the field.