Charlie Powell
Encyclopedia
Charlie Powell is a former American professional football player.
Powell was born in Texas. He and his younger brother Art Powell
, a great NFL wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders
in the 1960s, grew up in the Logan Heights area of San Diego, California
. Charlie starred in football, basketball, track and baseball at San 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 the shot put
57 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.
After Charlie was recruited by Notre Dame and UCLA to play football, St. Louis Browns baseball owner Bill Veeck
, who had acquired the legendary pitcher Satchel Paige
from the Cleveland Indians
, signed the power-hitting outfielder to a professional baseball contract. He was sent to the Stockton Ports, a Class B minor league team.
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 totaling 67 yards in losses.
Powell played five seasons in the NFL for the 49ers (1952-53 and 1955-57) and two for the Oakland Raiders (1960-61).
He turned a down an offer of a tryout by the Harlem Globetrotters.
Powell was also a professional boxer. In March 1959, on television, he knocked out Nino Valdes of Cuba who was the number 2 ranked heavyweight fighter in the world at the time. He fought Muhammad Ali
(who was then known as Cassius Clay) in Pittsburgh on January 24, 1963. He was knocked out in the third round. He finished his pro boxing career with a record of 25-11-3. In his career, Charlie also fought Floyd Patterson
, losing to him in 6 rounds.
Powell is a member of the Breitbard San Diego Hall of Fame.
He was last known to be living in the Pasadena, California
area.
REFERENCES
San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum
http://www.sdhoc.com/awards/hall-of-fame/football/charlie-powell/
San Diego Union Tribune article by Chris Jenkins on February 26, 2010
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/feb/26/first-foremost-powells/
East Side Boxing-2008 article by Ted Sares
http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=16105&more=1
Bleacher Report 5-9-2009 article by Gary Mialocq-"The Greatest 49ers Athlete Ever."
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/171502-the-greatest-49er-athlete-ever
Football Advisory Board Members-CHarlie Powell-E Sports Instrution.com
http://www.esportsinstruction.com/charliepowell.html
Powell was born in Texas. He and his younger brother Art Powell
Art Powell
-Early career:Powell attended and played high school football at San Diego High School and played college football at San José State University.-Professional career:...
, a great NFL wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the 1960s, grew up in the Logan Heights area of San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. Charlie starred in football, basketball, track and baseball at San Diego High School
San Diego High School
San Diego High School is an urban public educational complex comprising six small schools located on the southern edge of Balboa Park, in San Diego, California. It is part of the San Diego Unified School District. It is the oldest high school in the San Diego Unified School District and one of the...
. 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 the shot put
Shot put
The shot put is a track and field event involving "putting" a heavy metal ball—the shot—as far as possible. It is common to use the term "shot put" to refer to both the shot itself and to the putting action....
57 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.
After Charlie was recruited by Notre Dame and UCLA to play football, St. Louis Browns baseball owner Bill Veeck
Bill Veeck
William Louis Veeck, Jr. , also known as "Sport Shirt Bill", was a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a franchise owner and promoter in Major League Baseball. He was best known for his publicity stunts to raise attendance. Veeck was at various times the owner of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis...
, who had acquired the legendary pitcher Satchel Paige
Satchel Paige
Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was an American baseball player whose pitching in the Negro leagues and in Major League Baseball made him a legend in his own lifetime...
from the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, signed the power-hitting outfielder to a professional baseball contract. He was sent to the Stockton Ports, a Class B minor league team.
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 totaling 67 yards in losses.
Powell played five seasons in the NFL for the 49ers (1952-53 and 1955-57) and two for the Oakland Raiders (1960-61).
He turned a down an offer of a tryout by the Harlem Globetrotters.
Powell was also a professional boxer. In March 1959, on television, he knocked out Nino Valdes of Cuba who was the number 2 ranked heavyweight fighter in the world at the time. He fought Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
(who was then known as Cassius Clay) in Pittsburgh on January 24, 1963. He was knocked out in the third round. He finished his pro boxing career with a record of 25-11-3. In his career, Charlie also fought Floyd Patterson
Floyd Patterson
Floyd Patterson was an American heavyweight boxer and former undisputed heavyweight champion. At 21, Patterson became the youngest man to win the world heavyweight title. He was also the first heavyweight boxer to regain the title. He had a record of 55 wins 8 losses and 1 draw, with 40 wins by...
, losing to him in 6 rounds.
Powell is a member of the Breitbard San Diego Hall of Fame.
He was last known to be living in the Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
area.
REFERENCES
San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum
http://www.sdhoc.com/awards/hall-of-fame/football/charlie-powell/
San Diego Union Tribune article by Chris Jenkins on February 26, 2010
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/feb/26/first-foremost-powells/
East Side Boxing-2008 article by Ted Sares
http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=16105&more=1
Bleacher Report 5-9-2009 article by Gary Mialocq-"The Greatest 49ers Athlete Ever."
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/171502-the-greatest-49er-athlete-ever
Football Advisory Board Members-CHarlie Powell-E Sports Instrution.com
http://www.esportsinstruction.com/charliepowell.html