[2] After serving with the Marines, Whitlow qualified for the Summer Olympics trials in shot put, but decided to play football instead.
[6] He was then signed by the Cleveland Browns and played for them for one season snapping for all placekicks and punts, but then had to retire after a hernia operation.
[7] He attempted to make a comeback in 1974 with the World Football League's Portland Storm, but failed.
[10] Whitlow made his racing debut in United States Auto Club (USAC) stock cars at Texas World Speedway in April 1973, where he finished 20th and 20 laps behind winner Gordon Johncock.
[10][12] In June, he entered the NASCAR Winston Cup Series race there in a Ford Torino and placed 21st.
[2][16] He was a track and field coach at Northview High School in Johns Creek, Georgia.