Charlie Powell

Charlie Powell
Born:	April 4, 1932; Dallas, Texas,U.S.
Died:	September 1, 2014(aged 82); San Diego, California,U.S.
Career information
Position(s)	DL
College	none
Career history
As player
1952–1957	San Francisco 49ers
1960–1961	Oakland Raiders

Charles Elvin Powell(April 4, 1932 – September 1, 2014) was an American multi-sport professional sportsman as anNational Football League(NFL) football player, professional boxer (who foughtchampions Muhammad AliandFloyd Patterson), and Minor League baseball player.

Early life

Powell was born inDallason April 4, 1932. He and his younger brotherArt Powell(a future NFL wide receiver who played for the New York Titans andOakland Raidersin the 1960s) grew up in the Logan Heights area ofSan Diego, California.

High school

Charlie starred in football, basketball, track and baseball atSan Diego High School.In 1950, as a 6'-3 ", 230-pound defensive end and offensive end, with tremendous power and speed, he was named the California high school football player of the year. In track, he ran 100 yards in 9.6 seconds and threw theshot put57 feet 9¼ inches. In basketball, he was a second-team all-league center. As a high school baseball player, he hit balls out of San Diego Balboa Stadium. He turned a down an offer of a tryout by theHarlem Globetrotters.

Baseball career

After high school, Charlie was recruited by Notre Dame and UCLA to play football,St. Louis Brownsbaseball ownerBill Veeck,who had acquired the legendary pitcherSatchel Paigefrom theCleveland Indians,signed the power-hitting outfielder to a professional baseball contract. He was sent to the Stockton Ports, a Class B minor league team.

Football career

But after playing pro baseball in the summer of 1952, Charlie suddenly abandoned his pro baseball career and signed a pro football contract with the San Francisco 49ers. At 19, he became the youngest player in NFL history. In his first game, he started against the NFL champion Detroit Lions and had multiple sacks against QB Bobby Layne, totalling 67 yards in sack yardage.

Powell played five seasons in the NFL for the 49ers (1952–53 and 1955–57) and two for the Oakland Raiders (1960–61).

Bo xing career

Powell was also a professional boxer. In March 1959, on television, he knocked outNino Valdesof Cuba who was the number 2 ranked heavyweight fighter in the world at the time. He foughtMuhammad Ali(who was then known as Cassius Clay) at theCivic ArenainPittsburghon January 24, 1963. Ali knocked out Powell in the third round, as Ali predicted before the fight. He finished his pro bo xing career with a record of 25–11–3. In his career, Charlie also foughtFloyd Patterson,losing to him in 6 rounds.

Retirement

Powell is a member of the Breitbard San Diego Hall of Fame. He was last known to be living in thePasadena, Californiaarea.

Death

Powell died on September 1, 2014, aged 82, after living with dementia for several years.^[1]^[2]

References

^Jenkins, Chris."NFL great Charlie Powell dead at 82".
^Pugmire, Lance Pugmire, By Lance (September 3, 2014)."Charlie Powell dies at 82; NFL player who boxed Ali, Patterson - Los Angeles Times".Los Angeles Times.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[1] Jenkins, Chris."NFL great Charlie Powell dead at 82".

[2] Pugmire, Lance Pugmire, By Lance (September 3, 2014)."Charlie Powell dies at 82; NFL player who boxed Ali, Patterson - Los Angeles Times".Los Angeles Times.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[1]

[2]