Tag: Powell

Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the New Orleans Saints helmet during warmups against the Atlanta Falcons at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Former Saints LB Ronald Powell dies at 32

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former New Orleans Saints linebacker Ronald Powell died Monday at age 32, the NFL Players Association announced on Tuesday.

The cause of death wasn’t immediately known.

The University of Florida acknowledged the death of Powell, who played for the Gators from 2010-13.

Word of Powell’s death began circulating Monday after former Saints teammate Junior Galette announced it on social media.

Powell was a fifth-round pick by New Orleans in the 2014 draft and played in 14 games for the Saints that season. He was released shortly before the start of the 2015 campaign. He didn’t play in another NFL game.

Powell was a highly coveted high school player from Southern California and one of the top national recruits in the 2010 class. He signed with Urban Meyer-coached Florida.

Powell had 18.5 tackles for loss, including 11 sacks, during three seasons with the Gators. He missed the entire 2012 campaign due to an ACL tear sustained during the spring.

–Field Level Media

Aug 4, 2023; Canton, OH, USA; A general overall view of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Pro Football Hall of Fame names three senior finalists

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell are one step closer to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Seniors Committee selected the three former players as finalists for the Class of 2024 on Tuesday.

Each would need at least 80 percent approval when the full 50-person selection committee meets early next year in order to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio.

They were selected from a group of 12 candidates.

“Every one of the individual presentations for the 12 candidates by the members of the Seniors Committee participating Tuesday was outstanding, truly creating the possibility that each one could have reached the position of finalist,” Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a news release Wednesday.

“I applaud the committee for the thorough discussion and consideration for all 12. The depth of the Seniors pool came on full display once again.”

Gradishar, 71, played his entire 10-year career with the Denver Broncos (1974-83). The seven-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro linebacker was a first-round pick in 1974 and the Defensive Player of the Year in 1978, anchoring Denver’s “Orange Crush” defense.

McMichael, 63, played defensive tackle for 15 seasons with the New England Patriots (1980), Chicago Bears (1981-93) and Green Bay Packers (1994). The two-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro selection won Super Bowl XX with the fabled 1985 Bears.

Powell, who died in 2015 at age 78, played in the CFL and entered the NFL as a defensive back before thriving as a receiver with the AFL’s New York Titans (1960-62) and Oakland Raiders (1963-66). He racked up 8,046 receiving yards and 81 TDs in 117 games.

The other seniors who were under consideration were Ken Anderson, Maxie Baughan, Roger Craig, Joe Jacoby, Albert Lewis, Eddie Meador, Sterling Sharpe, Otis Taylor and Al Wistert.

–Field Level Media