Marvin Powell facts for kids

Marvin Powell Jr. (born August 30, 1955 – died September 30, 2022) was a talented American football player. He played as an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was famous for playing with the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Before turning pro, he played college football for the USC Trojans. Marvin Powell was honored by being chosen for the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994.

Early Life and College Football Career

Marvin Powell was born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His father, Marvin Sr., was a soldier in the United States Army. He served in several major wars, including World War II and the Korean War. Marvin attended Seventy-First High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

After high school, Powell went to the University of Southern California (USC). He played college football for the Trojans. He was a top player in the Pacific-8 league for three years in a row (1974, 1975, and 1976). He was also named an All-American in 1975 and 1976. This means he was one of the best college players in the whole country. In 1977, he graduated from USC with a degree in political science and speech.

In 1994, Marvin Powell was recognized for his amazing college career. He was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Professional Football Career

The New York Jets picked Marvin Powell in the first round of the 1977 NFL Draft. He was the fourth player chosen overall. This showed how highly teams thought of his skills.

Powell quickly became a key player for the Jets. His teammates even voted him their most valuable player for the 1979 season. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl five times in a row, from 1979 to 1983. The Pro Bowl is a special game where the best players from each season get to play. He was also named a first-team All-Pro in 1979, 1981, and 1982. Being All-Pro means you are one of the very best players at your position in the entire NFL. He was also a second-team All-Pro in 1980. Powell started 128 games for the Jets, which is a lot!

In 1985, the Jets' offensive line had a tough year. They allowed opponents to get to their quarterback 62 times. The Jets then drafted new offensive linemen in 1986. Powell was released by the Jets before the 1986 season began. He then signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played nine games for them in 1986 and 1987 before he decided to retire from football.

During his time as a player, Marvin Powell was also elected president of the National Football League Players Association. This group works to protect the rights of NFL players.

Life After Football

Marvin Powell was interested in politics. He even said he wanted to run for president of the United States one day. He worked on George H. W. Bush's presidential campaign in 1980.

While playing football, Powell also studied law. He worked as an intern at the New York Stock Exchange. He spent six off-seasons studying to become a lawyer. He earned his law degree, called a Juris Doctor, from New York Law School in 1987. After retiring from football, he worked at a law firm in Beverly Hills, California.

Family Life

Marvin Powell had a son named Marvin III. His son also played college football at USC, just like his father. Marvin III played as a fullback in the NFL for teams like the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, and Denver Broncos.

Marvin Powell passed away on September 30, 2022, at the age of 67. He died from heart failure.