Walt Powell facts for kids
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| Position: | Wide receiver / return specialist | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | November 23, 1991 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 189 lb (86 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Hazelwood East (St. Louis, Missouri) | ||||||
| College: | Murray State | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2014 / Round: 6 / Pick: 196 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||
Walter Lee Powell (born November 23, 1991) is a former American football player. He was a wide receiver and also a return specialist. This means he caught kicks and punts. Walt played college football at Murray State. The Arizona Cardinals picked him in the 2014 NFL draft. After his football career, he helped create a mobile app called Politiscope.
Walt Powell's College Football Journey
Playing for Murray State
Walt Powell played college football for Murray State. In 2013, he was recognized for his great skills. He finished 17th in the voting for the Walter Payton Award. This award goes to the best offensive player in his division.
Walt Powell's NFL Career
Starting with the Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals chose Walt Powell in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He was the 196th player picked overall. However, he was released by the team on August 31, 2014. This happened during the final roster cuts before the season began.
Time with the New York Jets
The New York Jets picked up Walt Powell on September 1, 2014. In his first year, 2014, he played in four games. He returned eight kickoffs for 233 yards. He also returned 12 punts for 48 yards.
In a preseason game on August 29, 2015, Powell returned a punt for a 59-yard touchdown. This was against the New York Giants. Even with this good play, the Jets released him on September 5, 2015. But the next day, they signed him to their practice squad.
First Time with the Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills signed Walt Powell on October 6, 2015. He was placed on the team's practice squad.
Playing for the Oakland Raiders
On October 16, 2015, the Oakland Raiders signed Powell. They added him to their main roster from the Bills' practice squad. He was released by the Raiders on November 3, 2015.
Second Time with the Buffalo Bills
Walt Powell rejoined the Bills' practice squad on November 6, 2015. He was moved to the active roster on December 22, 2015.
On November 29, 2016, Powell was placed on injured reserve. This was due to an ankle injury.
Powell was suspended for the first four games of the 2017 season. This was for breaking the NFL's rules on performance-enhancing substances. After his suspension ended on October 2, 2017, the Bills released him.
Brief Time with the Jacksonville Jaguars
On January 16, 2018, Walt Powell was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad.
Life After Football
Creating the Politiscope App
Walt Powell shared his story in an article for The Players' Tribune. He mentioned that several NFL teams contacted him in 2019. They wanted him to try out for their teams. However, he decided not to return to football.
Instead, he focused on developing a mobile app called Politiscope. He worked with his brother, Brandon Williams, who also played in the NFL. The app officially launched on January 17, 2019.
