Position: Fullback / Tight end Games: 52 Weight 101 kg College: Stephen F. Austin Height 1.91 m | High school: Van (TX) Role American football player Place of birth: Van, Texas Name Todd Fowler | |
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Date of birth: (1962-06-09) June 9, 1962 (age 53) Education Stephen F. Austin State University | ||
Todd Fowler is a former professional American football player who played tight end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and in the United States Football League (USFL) for the Houston Gamblers. He played college football at Stephen F. Austin State University.
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Early years
Fowler attended Van High School before moving on to Henderson County Junior College where he was a two-year starter at strong safety and tight end. He transferred to Stephen F. Austin State University after his sophomore season.
In 1982, he registered 26 receptions for 260 yards (third on the team). In his last year he finished with 22 receptions for 209 yards (third on the team) and one touchdown.
Houston Gamblers (USFL)
Fowler was selected by the Houston Gamblers of the United States Football League in the 16th round (332nd overall) of the 1984 USFL Collegiate draft. He was converted from tight end to fullback during training camp.
As a rookie, he played in all 18 games, starting the last 10 after Sam Harrell was lost for the season with a broken leg. After registering only 17 yards in his first 7 games, he finished the season with 1,003 rushing yards (5.9 avg.) and 11 touchdowns. On June 3, he set a league record with 208 rushing yards in a game against the Denver Gold. He also displayed strong blocking skills.
In his second season, sharing the backfield with a healthy Harrell, he registered 402 rushing yards (4.36 avg.) and 3 touchdowns. In just two seasons in head coach Mouse Davis' run and shoot offense, he became the Gamblers all-time leading rusher.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys selected him in the first round (25th overall) of the 1984 NFL supplemental draft of USFL and CFL players. He signed a contract on September 24, 1984, to start playing in the NFL for the 1985 season, becoming the first USFL player to be signed away from the league.
On August 27, 1985, he was placed on the injured reserve list and would eventually return to play in 8 games. The Cowboys moved him back to tight end, where he was mainly a backup to Doug Cosbie, until 1988 when he started 6 games.