{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1972)}} {{good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography |name=Carlos Fowler |image= |number=75, 91, 92<ref name="Pfa">{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/f/fowl00900.html | title=CARLOS FOWLER | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=21 July 2025}}</ref> |position=Offensive lineman / Defensive lineman |birth_date={{birth date and age|1972|8|30}} |birth_place=Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |height_ft=6 |height_in=3 |weight_lbs=280 |high_school=Pontiac Township {{nowrap|(Pontiac, Illinois)}} |college=Wisconsin (1990–1993) |undraftedyear=1994 |pastteams= * Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|1994}})* * Toronto Argonauts ({{CFL Year|1994}}–{{CFL Year|1995}}) * Hamilton Tiger-Cats ({{CFL Year|1995}}) * Ottawa Rough Riders ({{CFL Year|1996}})* * Toronto Argonauts ({{CFL Year|1996}})* * Texas Terror ({{AFL Year|1996}}–{{AFL Year|1997}}) * England Monarchs (1998) * Houston ThunderBears ({{AFL Year|1998}}–{{AFL Year|1999}}) * Houston Outlaws (1999) * Arizona Rattlers ({{AFL Year|2000}})* * Nashville Kats ({{AFL Year|2000}}) * Los Angeles Avengers ({{AFL Year|2001}}–{{AFL Year|2004}}) |highlights= * First-team All-Arena (1997) * AFL Lineman of the Year ({{AFL Year|1997}}) * First-team All-RFL (1999) |afl=531 }} '''Carlos Antonio Fowler''' (born August 30, 1972) is an American former professional football lineman who played nine seasons in the Arena Football League (AFL) with the Texas Terror/Houston ThunderBears, Nashville Kats, and Los Angeles Avengers. He played college football at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he was a starter for the Rose Bowl champion Wisconsin Badgers. He signed with the Denver Broncos after going unselected in the 1994 NFL draft. After starting for the Broncos during the 1994 preseason, Fowler was released and then played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 1994 to 1995. He began his AFL career in 1997, earning AFL Lineman of the Year and first-team All-Arena honors as a rookie with the Texas Terror. He advanced to ArenaBowl XIV with the Nashville Kats in 2000, and later helped the Los Angeles Avengers make three straight playoff appearances during the 2000s. Fowler also garnered first-team all-league recognition while playing in the short-lived Regional Football League in 1999.
==Early life== Carlos Antonio Fowler was born on August 30, 1972, in Cleveland, Ohio.<ref name="Pfa"/> Before his freshman year of high school, Fowler moved to Pontiac, Illinois, where he attended Pontiac Township High School.<ref name="North">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph/177178102/ | title=Pontiac's Fowler returning 'North' to chase NFL dream | work=The Pantagraph | date=June 3, 1995 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | author=Parker, Tony | pages=B4}}</ref> He played on both the offensive and defensive line in high school, and was a four-year letterman.<ref name="North"/><ref name="Laa"/> Fowler earned all-state honors in football.<ref name="Laa"/> As a senior in 1989, he helped the Pontiac Township football team make their first state playoff appearance.<ref name="North"/> He participated in track and basketball in high school as well.<ref name="Laa"/> Fowler graduated in 1990.<ref name="North"/>
==College career== Fowler accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and play college football for the Wisconsin Badgers.<ref name="North"/> He was a four-year letterman from 1990 to 1993.<ref name="Pfa"/> As a true freshman in 1990, he started three games at defensive tackle for the 1–10 Badgers.<ref name="North"/><ref name="Terror"/> Fowler then started every game for Wisconsin from 1991 to 1993.<ref name="North"/> As a senior in 1993, he posted 49 tackles and three sacks as a starter for the 10–1–1 Badgers.<ref name="Den"/> He played in 41 games overall, starting 33, during his college career and recorded 223 tackles.<ref name="Den">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph/177176431/ | title=Fowler signs as free agent with Denver | work=The Pantagraph | date=April 30, 1994 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | pages=B3}}</ref><ref name="Laa"/> Fowler broke his wrist in the 1994 Rose Bowl, but also had a sack and a forced fumble during the game.<ref name="Laa">{{cite web | url=http://laavengers.com/2003roster_CFowler.php | title=Carlos Fowler - 92 | publisher=Los Angeles Avengers | accessdate=21 July 2025 | archive-date=June 30, 2003 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030630011723/http://laavengers.com/2003roster_CFowler.php | url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> His broken wrist forced him to turn down Senior Bowl and Hula Bowl invitations.<ref name="North"/> He majored in marketing and advertising.<ref name="Laa"/>
==Professional career== Fowler worked out at the 1993 NFL Combine while still wearing a cast.<ref name="North"/> He signed with the Denver Broncos in April 1993 shortly after going unselected in the 1993 NFL draft.<ref name="Den"/> He had six tackles during his first preseason game on July 31.<ref name="Den2">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-missoulian/177177196/ | title=Rookie to start for Broncos | work=The Missoulian | date=August 5, 1994 | agency=Associated Press | accessdate=21 July 2025 | pages=D4}}</ref> He was promoted to the starting lineup for the team's next preseason game on August 6.<ref name="Den2"/> Fowler was cut by the Broncos on August 23, 1994.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal/177177343/ | title=Jets decide they won't save U.S. goalkeeper Meola | work=The Akron Beacon Journal | date=August 24, 1994 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | pages=B4}}</ref>
On August 30, 1994, Fowler signed a contract with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the remainder of the 1994 season and the 1995 season.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph/177177597/ | title=Ex-Pontiac star Fowler eyes CFL | work=The Pantagraph | date=August 30, 1994 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | author=Parker, Tony | pages=B3}}</ref> The Argonauts wanted to sign him to a four-year deal, but he declined, stating "I know I can get in the NFL because I was so close."<ref name="North"/> He dressed in five games for the Argonauts during the 1994 season and posted six defensive tackles.<ref name="Pfa"/> He competed with John Thornton for the team's nose tackle position before the start of the 1995 season.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star/177180176/ | title=Veteran nose tackle hoping for good break with the Argonauts | work=The Toronto Star | date=June 5, 1995 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | author=Matsumoto, Rick | pages=B6}}</ref> Fowler was placed on the injured list before the start of the regular season on June 27, 1995.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-and-messenger/177180462/ | title=On The Move | work=News & Messenger | date=June 28, 1995 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | pages=A8}}</ref> He dressed in six games for the Argonauts in 1995, recording 19 defensive tackles, two special teams tackles, and four sacks before being moved to the practice roster.<ref name="Pfa"/> He was released from the practice roster on October 17, 1995.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/national-post/177180956/ | title=Injury ends Fairholm's year | work=National Post | date=October 18, 1995 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | author=Lefko, Perry | pages=45}}</ref>
Fowler was signed by the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats on October 28, 1995.<ref name="Pfa"/> He played in the final game of the regular season the next day but did not record any statistics.<ref name="Pfa"/> He also played in Hamilton's playoff loss to the Calgary Stampeders.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/calgary-herald/177181285/ | title=Stamps to seek revenge | work=Calgary Herald | date=November 5, 1995 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | author=Rauw, Murray | pages=C3}}</ref> Fowler was released by the Tiger-Cats on May 9, 1996.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-tribune/177181663/ | title=Transactions | work=The Daily Herald-Tribune | date=May 10, 1996 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | pages=28}}</ref> He then signed with the Ottawa Rough Riders of the CFL in 1996. He was cut by the Rough Riders on June 22, 1996.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ottawa-citizen/177181970/ | title=Riders roster nearly complete | work=The Ottawa Citizen | date=June 23, 1996 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | author=Casey, Tom | pages=B8}}</ref> He then spent part of the 1996 CFL season on the Toronto Argonauts' practice roster.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star/177182426/ | title=Argo newcomer in guarded position | work=The Toronto Star | date=August 13, 1996 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | author=Ryan, Allan | pages=D8}}</ref>
Fowler played in one game for the Texas Terror of the Arena Football League (AFL) in 1996, posting one solo tackle and two assisted tackles. He appeared in all 14 games for the Terror in 1997, totaling 32 solo tackles, five assisted tackles, 11.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.<ref name="Af">{{cite web | url=https://www.arenafan.com/players/531/ | title=Carlos Fowler | publisher=ArenaFan.com | accessdate=21 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="Pfa"/> He was an offensive lineman/defensive lineman during his time in the AFL as the league played under ironman rules.<ref name="Pfa"/> Fowler's 11.5 sacks were the most in the league that year and the second-most in a season all-time.<ref name="Terror">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph/177183618/ | title=Familiar voice helps turn Fowler into real Terror | work=The Pantagraph | date=September 10, 1997 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | author=Kindred, Randy | pages=B1}}</ref><ref name="Best">{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-chronicle/177183456/ | title=Fowler named league's best lineman | work=The Houston Chronicle | date=August 24, 1997 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | pages=14B}}</ref> He also had an AFL-record ten tackles for loss while the Terror offensive line only allowed ten sacks in 14 games.<ref name="Best"/><ref name="Terror"/> Fowler was named both first-team All-Arena and the AFL Lineman of the Year for his performance during the 1997 season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=531&pageview=bio | title=Carlos Fowler - Awards | publisher=ArenaFan.com | accessdate=21 July 2025}}</ref> The Terror became the Houston ThunderBears in 1998.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-houston-chronicle/177184250/ | title=ThunderBears release '98 schedule | work=The Houston Chronicle | date=December 11, 1997 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | author=Dean, Richard | pages=8B}}</ref>
Fowler played for the England Monarchs of NFL Europe during the 1998 NFL Europe season as a defensive end, recording 30 tackles, three sacks, and nine pass breakups.<ref name="Pfa"/> After the Monarchs' season ended, Fowler was activated by the ThunderBears on June 17, 1998.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-montana-standard/177185429/ | title=Transactions | work=The Montana Standard | date=June 18, 1998 | agency=Associated Press | accessdate=21 July 2025 | pages=B2}}</ref> He then played in the final seven games of the 1998 season, posting six solo tackles and eight assisted tackles.<ref name="Pfa"/><ref name="Af"/> Houston finished the season with an 8–6 record and lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Arizona Rattlers by a score of 50–36.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1998arflhou.html | title=1998 Houston Thunderbears (Arena) | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=21 July 2025}}</ref>
Fowler began the 1999 season playing for the Houston Outlaws in the short-lived Regional Football League (RFL).<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/177185906/ | title=Stormers open season tonight | work=The Des Moines Register | date=April 23, 1999 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | pages=6S}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/27852953/stormers_open_season_tonight/ |title=Stormers open season tonight |newspaper=The Des Moines Register |page=24 |date=April 23, 1999 |accessdate=January 30, 2019 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> In June 1999, he earned first-team All-RFL honors at defensive tackle.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-mobile-register/177185980/ | title=All-RFL Team | work=The Mobile Register | date=June 23, 1999 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | pages=7C}}</ref> After the RFL season ended, Fowler returned to the ThunderBears.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register/177186238/ | title=Iowa expects shootout with Houston tonight | work=The Des Moines Register | date=July 19, 1999 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | pages=3S}}</ref> He appeared in three games for Houston during the 1999 season, accumulating two solo tackles, two assisted tackles, and one pass breakup.<ref name="Pfa"/><ref name="Af"/>
On November 5, 1999, Fowler was traded to the Rattlers for Joe Burch.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic/177186490/ | title=Rattlers get ex-Lineman of Year | work=The Arizona Republic | date=November 6, 1999 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | author=Obert, Richard | pages=C3}}</ref> On March 21, 2000, Fowler was traded to the Nashville Kats for Sebastian Barrie.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=21 | title=Historical Team Transactions | publisher=ArenaFan.com | accessdate=21 July 2025}}</ref> Fowler played in all 14 games for the Kats in 2000, recording 11 solo tackles, six assisted tackles, 0.5 sacks, and one pass breakup.<ref name="Pfa"/><ref name="Af"/> Nashville finished the year with a 9–5 record and advanced to ArenaBowl XIV, where they lost to the Orlando Predators by a margin of 41–38.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/2000arflnas.html | title=2000 Nashville Kats (Arena) | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=21 July 2025}}</ref> Fowler became a free agent after the 2000 season.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean/177187268/ | title=Kats don't want free agents to go | work=The Tennessean | date=October 1, 2000 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | author=Coleman, Anthony | pages=18C}}</ref>
Fowler signed with the Los Angeles Avengers of the AFL on January 13, 2001.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kentucky-new-era/177187519/ | title=Deals | work=Kentucky New Era | date=January 13, 2001 | accessdate=21 July 2025 | pages=B2}}</ref> He appeared in 13 games for the Avengers in 2001, totaling ten solo tackles, seven assisted tackles, four sacks, and one forced fumble.<ref name="Pfa"/><ref name="Af"/> He re-signed with Los Angeles on March 26, 2002.<ref name="La">{{cite web | url=https://www.arenafan.com/teams/?page=transactions&type=old&team=44 | title=Historical Team Transactions | publisher=ArenaFan.com | accessdate=21 July 2025}}</ref> Fowler played in 13 games, all starts, the next year in 2002, recording ten solo tackles, five assisted tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup.<ref name="Pfa"/><ref name="Af"/> The Avengers finished the 2002 season with an 8–6 record and lost in the first round to the Tampa Bay Storm 66–41.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/2002arflla.html | title=2002 Los Angeles Avengers (Arena) | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=21 July 2025}}</ref> He played in all 16 games, starting 13, during the 2003 season, posting nine solo tackles, three assisted tackles, and 0.5 sacks.<ref name="Pfa"/><ref name="Af"/> Los Angeles went 11–5 and lost in the first round of the 2003 postseason to the Rattlers by a score of 70–63.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/2003arflla.html | title=2003 Los Angeles Avengers (Arena) | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=21 July 2025}}</ref> Fowler appeared in all 16 games for the second consecutive season in 2004, totaling nine solo tackles, seven assisted tackles, and one pass breakup.<ref name="Pfa"/><ref name="Af"/> The Avengers finished the 2004 season 9–7 and lost in the quarterfinals to the Rattlers by a margin of 59–42.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/2004arflla.html | title=2004 Los Angeles Avengers (Arena) | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=21 July 2025}}</ref> Fowler was placed on the refused to report list on January 3, 2005.<ref name="La"/> He was later released on October 24, 2005.<ref name="La"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.justsportsstats.com/footballstatsindex.php?player_id=fowlecar001 Stats Crew profile]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Fowler, Carlos}} Category:Living people Category:1972 births Category:American football offensive linemen Category:American football defensive linemen Category:Canadian football defensive linemen Category:Wisconsin Badgers football players Category:Denver Broncos players Category:Toronto Argonauts players Category:Hamilton Tiger-Cats players Category:Ottawa Rough Riders players Category:Texas Terror players Category:London Monarchs players Category:Houston ThunderBears players Category:Arizona Rattlers players Category:Nashville Kats players Category:Los Angeles Avengers players Category:Regional Football League players Category:People from Pontiac, Illinois Category:Players of American football from Cleveland Category:Players of Canadian football from Cleveland Category:Players of American football from Illinois Category:Players of Canadian football from Illinois Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:20th-century American sportsmen