Former USC standout offensive linemen Marvin Powell, who went on to an 11-year NFL career, died Friday at age 67, the New York Jets announced Sunday.
Powell was a three-time All-Pro at right tackle and served as president of the NFL Players Association for two years during his NFL career, playing the first nine with the Jets.
Powell, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame after All-American seasons with USC in 1975 and 1976, was drafted by the Jets as the No. 4 overall pick in 1977. He blocked for running backs Anthony Davis and Ricky Bell at USC and helped lead the team to the 1974 national championship.
Powell won a starting job as a rookie and became one of the franchise’s best and most-decorated players, selected to the Pro Bowl five straight seasons from 1979-83. Powell was an All-Pro in 1979, ’81 and ’82.
Powell was also selected the Jets’ MVP by his teammates in 1979.
“Marvin was one of the best linemen I’ve ever seen,” former Jets wide receiver Wesley Walker told the team’s website. “He was just a physical specimen. He was just good. I just loved him.”
Powell played his last two seasons with Tampa Bay, finishing with 130 starts in 133 games. Powell was also one of the NFL’s most respected players while serving as a player union rep, then was elected as vice president of the NFLPA before serving as president two years. The Fort Bragg, North Carolina, native worked as an intern at the New York Stock Exchange and earned his law degree from New York Law School in 1987.
Powell’s son Marvin III played nine games as a fullback for New Orleans in 1999.
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