Professional Football Player, Professional Boxer. At the age of twenty, he made history by becoming the youngest player in the National Football League in 1952. Born Charles Elvin Powell (sometimes referred to as Charley), he was a multiple-sport athlete during his years at San Diego High School. He briefly pursued a professional baseball career, before signing with the San Francisco 49ers. For five seasons (1952 to 1953 and 1955 to 1957), he played in the National Football League at the defensive end, linebacker and end positions. For two seasons (1960 to 1961), he played with the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League and has the distinction of being on their roster during the franchise's inaugural year of 1960. He compiled 83 career regular season NFL and AFL games. Amazingly, Powell maintained a professional boxing career simultaneously to his football career. From 1953 to 1965, he fought professionally and totaled a 25 win (17 knockout), 11 loss and 3 drawn record. During the course of his boxing career, Powell fought such legends as Cassius Clay (1963) and Floyd Patterson (1964). He died following a lengthy battle with dementia. His younger brother Art Powell enjoyed a distinguishable career as a receiver in the American Football League during the 1960s.
Professional Football Player, Professional Boxer. At the age of twenty, he made history by becoming the youngest player in the National Football League in 1952. Born Charles Elvin Powell (sometimes referred to as Charley), he was a multiple-sport athlete during his years at San Diego High School. He briefly pursued a professional baseball career, before signing with the San Francisco 49ers. For five seasons (1952 to 1953 and 1955 to 1957), he played in the National Football League at the defensive end, linebacker and end positions. For two seasons (1960 to 1961), he played with the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League and has the distinction of being on their roster during the franchise's inaugural year of 1960. He compiled 83 career regular season NFL and AFL games. Amazingly, Powell maintained a professional boxing career simultaneously to his football career. From 1953 to 1965, he fought professionally and totaled a 25 win (17 knockout), 11 loss and 3 drawn record. During the course of his boxing career, Powell fought such legends as Cassius Clay (1963) and Floyd Patterson (1964). He died following a lengthy battle with dementia. His younger brother Art Powell enjoyed a distinguishable career as a receiver in the American Football League during the 1960s.
Bio by: C.S.
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