Carlos Fowler

Carlos Antonio Fowler (born August 30, 1972) is an American former professional football player who was a lineman for 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. He played on both the offensive and defensive line in high school, and was a four-year letterman. His broken wrist forced him to turn down Senior Bowl and Hula Bowl invitations. He was promoted to the starting lineup for the team's next preseason game on August 6.

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. 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." Fowler was placed on the injured list before the start of the regular season on June 27, 1995. 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.

Fowler was signed by the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats on October 28, 1995. Fowler was released by the Tiger-Cats on May 9, 1996. He then signed with the Ottawa Rough Riders of the CFL in 1996. He was cut by the Rough Riders on June 22, 1996. He then spent part of the 1996 CFL season on the Toronto Argonauts' practice roster.

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. He also had an AFL-record ten tackles for loss while the Terror offensive line only allowed ten sacks in 14 games. The Terror became the Houston ThunderBears in 1998.

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. He then played in the final seven games of the 1998 season, posting six solo tackles and eight assisted tackles.

Fowler began the 1999 season playing for the Houston Outlaws in the short-lived Regional Football League (RFL). In June 1999, he earned first-team All-RFL honors at defensive tackle. After the RFL season ended, Fowler returned to the ThunderBears. He appeared in three games for Houston during the 1999 season, accumulating two solo tackles, two assisted tackles, and one pass breakup. On March 21, 2000, Fowler was traded to the Nashville Kats for Sebastian Barrie. 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. Fowler became a free agent after the 2000 season.

Fowler signed with the Los Angeles Avengers of the AFL on January 13, 2001. He appeared in 13 games for the Avengers in 2001, totaling ten solo tackles, seven assisted tackles, four sacks, and one forced fumble. 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. He played in all 16 games, starting 13, during the 2003 season, posting nine solo tackles, three assisted tackles, and 0.5 sacks. Fowler appeared in all 16 games for the second consecutive season in 2004, totaling nine solo tackles, seven assisted tackles, and one pass breakup. Fowler was placed on the refused to report list on January 3, 2005. He was later released on October 24, 2005.