After a successful high school playing career at Cherokee Vocational High School that culminated with his selection to the 16th annual AHSAA All-Star Game in 1963, Dowdy enrolled at the University of Alabama with an athletic scholarship to play on the football team.
[1] After he played on the freshman football squad for the 1963 season, Dowdy stated as an offensive tackle for the three years that followed.
[2] In recognition for his play on the field, Dowdy was recognized as a unanimous selection to the 1966 College Football All-America Team as an offensive tackle.
[3] He was also awarded the Jacobs Blocking Trophy in 1966 as the best blocker in the SEC as selected by the coaches.
[6] In April 1969, Dowdy signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.