Professional Football Player. For twelve seasons (1957 to 1968), he played at the split-end, wide receiver and defensive back positions in the Canadian, National and American Football Leagues with the Toronto Argonauts, Montreal Alouettes, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Titans, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings. Born Arthur Louis Powell, he first displayed his athletic greatness as in track, football and basketball, while attending San Diego High School. He played collegiate football and basketball at San Jose State University and led all of college football with 50 receptions in 1956. Powell began his professional football career in the Canadian Football League and following two seasons (1957 to 1958), he was selected by Philadelphia during the 11th round of the 1959 NFL Draft. Unlike the CFL, the National Football League like other American sports had issues with racial discrimination and following a dispute with the Eagles over living arrangements in which Powell was separated from the rest of the team due to his color, he departed ways. He joined the Titians and experienced another episode of racial discrimination in South Carolina during an exhibition game and as a result, he refused to participate in the contest. In spite of these ugly incidents, Powell established himself as a premier receiver in the newly-formed American Football League, as he was top in touchdown receptions in 1960. He was league-leader in reception yardage twice (1962 and 1963) and produced a career-high 16 reception touchdowns in 1963 with the Oakland Raiders. In 117 regular season games, he compiled 479 receptions, with 8,046 yards and 81 touchdowns. During the course of his career, he earned Pro-Bowl honors four-times and First-Team All-Pro status twice. After retiring from football, he worked in the petroleum industry. He was inducted into the San Jose State University Sports Hall of Fame and the San Diego Hall of Champions. His older brother Charlie Powell was a former professional boxer and NFL player. He died of complications from heart related issues.
Professional Football Player. For twelve seasons (1957 to 1968), he played at the split-end, wide receiver and defensive back positions in the Canadian, National and American Football Leagues with the Toronto Argonauts, Montreal Alouettes, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Titans, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings. Born Arthur Louis Powell, he first displayed his athletic greatness as in track, football and basketball, while attending San Diego High School. He played collegiate football and basketball at San Jose State University and led all of college football with 50 receptions in 1956. Powell began his professional football career in the Canadian Football League and following two seasons (1957 to 1958), he was selected by Philadelphia during the 11th round of the 1959 NFL Draft. Unlike the CFL, the National Football League like other American sports had issues with racial discrimination and following a dispute with the Eagles over living arrangements in which Powell was separated from the rest of the team due to his color, he departed ways. He joined the Titians and experienced another episode of racial discrimination in South Carolina during an exhibition game and as a result, he refused to participate in the contest. In spite of these ugly incidents, Powell established himself as a premier receiver in the newly-formed American Football League, as he was top in touchdown receptions in 1960. He was league-leader in reception yardage twice (1962 and 1963) and produced a career-high 16 reception touchdowns in 1963 with the Oakland Raiders. In 117 regular season games, he compiled 479 receptions, with 8,046 yards and 81 touchdowns. During the course of his career, he earned Pro-Bowl honors four-times and First-Team All-Pro status twice. After retiring from football, he worked in the petroleum industry. He was inducted into the San Jose State University Sports Hall of Fame and the San Diego Hall of Champions. His older brother Charlie Powell was a former professional boxer and NFL player. He died of complications from heart related issues.
Bio by: C.S.
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