Former Louisville quarterback Marty Lowe passed away Tuesday, September 8, just two weeks before his 55th birthday, a devastating loss confirmed by Cardinals head coach Jeff Brohm. Lowe had been battling Stage 4 kidney cancer, and Brohm, who had visited him recently, said he “knew it wasn’t good.” This hits hard, man. To lose someone like that, especially so close to a milestone, it just sucks.
The QB Who Kicked Off a Rivalry
Marty Lowe wasn’t just another guy; he was the first Louisville quarterback to ever play in the Governor’s Cup! Think about that history. He played for the Cardinals from 1991-95, even backing up Brohm himself. Then, in 1994, he took the reins as the starter when the Louisville-Kentucky rivalry game got renewed. They called it “Game One,” the first time it was ever officially the Governor’s Cup. Lowe told The Courier Journal in 2024 that he definitely had those pregame jitters, admitting his vision “wasn’t as experienced” at that point. Despite dropping that opener 20-14 to UK, Lowe still went 24 for 37 passing for 215 yards. That 1994 season, which ended up being late coach Howard Schnellenberger’s final year, saw the Cardinals finish 6-5 after a 1-2 start. But Lowe wasn’t done! In 1995, his senior year and Ron Cooper’s head coaching debut, Lowe led Louisville to their first win over the Wildcats, a tight 13-10 victory. He piled up 2,268 passing yards that season, his second straight 2,000-yard year, and threw for 16 touchdowns as the team went 7-4. His college career ended with 4,861 yards and 27 touchdowns. What a run.
From the Gridiron to the Sidelines: A Life in Football
After college, Lowe kept football in his blood. He spent two seasons in the Arena Football League, suiting up for the St. Louis Stampede in ’96 and the Texas Terrors in ’97, before a knee injury ended his playing days. But you can’t keep a good football mind away from the game! Lowe transitioned to coaching, serving as a running backs coach at UTEP and Western Carolina, an assistant coach at his alma mater Louisville, and an offensive assistant for the AFL’s Nashville Kats. He even became a head coach for the Georgia Force. And get this, he was also a sideline reporter for Louisville broadcasts on WHAS Radio and the director of football operations for the AFL’s Louisville Fire in 2007, five years after Brohm had coached there. Brohm nailed it when he said, “He was a great person, great teammate. We definitely send our condolences to him and his family. We’re here for them if they need us.” It’s clear Marty Lowe left a massive mark on Louisville football and everyone he encountered.
This one hurts, man. Our thoughts are with Marty Lowe’s family, friends, and the entire Louisville football community. He was a true Cardinal through and through.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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