LOS ANGELES -- Nobody who knew about the lifelong bond between O.J. Simpson and Al Cowlings was surprised that A.C. would do just about anything for O.J.
Including apparently committing a felony, harboring a fugitive, on national TV.
"Without question, he has total loyalty to O.J.," former Los Angeles Rams general manager Don Klosterman says. "I'm sure in his mind that he feels like he saved O.J.'s life by taking him away and just talking to him. The way it looks, it looks like that might be true."
Cowlings, free on $ 250,000 bail, disappeared with Simpson Friday when Simpson was scheduled for arrest. Later, with a parade of police cars following, Cowlings chauffered his lifelong best friend back home.
Los Angeles District Attorney Gil Garcetti, who must decide whether to prosecute Cowlings, faces "a political decision as well as a legal one," civil rights lawyer Leo Terrell says.
"We don't know all the facts, but you saw the reaction from the people on the freeways waving them on. Can you get 12 unanimous jurors who will not be sympathetic to Al Cowlings? That will be a big factor in whether he is prosecuted."
For those who know Cowlings, the explanation is obvious: "His intent was not to harm anyone or break the law," Klosterman says. "He was blinded by his friendship."
No ordinary friendship, either. For many years, Cowlings has benefited from Simpson's exalted status and financial success - during and after their pro football careers.
At Nicole Brown Simpson's funeral last week, it was Cowlings who acted as gatekeeper, allowing in friends and family, turning away others.
Cowlings grew up with Simpson in the Potrero Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. They avoided serious trouble and found respectability and fame as football heroes.
Simpson, 46, was a year ahead of Cowlings, 47 - first at Galileo High School, then at San Francisco City College, and at the University of Southern California.
After Simpson's rookie 1969 season with the Buffalo Bills, he talked the Bills into using their first-round pick in 1970 for Cowlings.
But Cowlings, a defensive lineman, lasted just three seasons.
"He was a fairly pedestrian player, a big disappointment considering how high he was drafted," says Larry Felser, Buffalo News sports columnist. "He clearly was selected with a lot of influence from O.J."
Cowlings went on to play for several other teams, including the Rams in 1975 and 1977.
"He was a super kid, a super individual. He cared about everybody around him," longtime Rams executive Jack Faulkner says. "He was never a problem. He was very well-liked, an ideal guy to have in the locker room."
He finished his career, again with Simpson, in 1979 with the San Francisco 49ers.
After their playing days, Simpson continued to help Cowlings, who tended bar for a while, landing him a small role on an HBO football sitcom in which Simpson starred.
Friday, it was Simpson who needed help.
"A.C. did something that a lot of people would do for their best friend," Faulkner says. "A friendship like they had, that's everlasting."
The 911 call
Excerpt of a Friday evening phone call by Al Cowlings during the freeway pursuit of O.J. Simpson:
Cowlings: "This is A.C. I have O.J. in the car." Officer: "OK, where are you?" Cowlings: "I'm coming up the 5 freeway." Officer: "OK." Cowlings: "Right now we're OK, but you gotta tell the police to just back off. He's still alive. He's got a gun to his head." Officer: "OK, hold on a minute . . ." Cowlings: "He just wants to see his mother. Let me get him to the house."
