Art Powell was one of the most productive receivers in the history of the AFL. Playing during the era of 14 game schedule; Powell netted career numbers that would be regarded as worthy of the Hall of Fame had he played in the NFL. In fact, Powell is the only receiver from the 14 game era with over 80 touchdown receptions who is not in the HOF. Furthermore, Powell has almost equally as many career receptions as recent NFL Hall of Fame inductee Drew Pearson, yet he had more career yards and substantially more career touchdowns than the Dallas Cowboys great. Powell also had over a hundred more receptions in addition to more yardage and touchdown receptions than Bob Hayes, another Dallas Cowboy star who has been enshrined in pro football’s Hall of Fame. The fact that he played his entire career in the 14 games per season era, and has better statistical achievements than NFL Hall of Fame greats like Pearson and Hayes sustains the case that Art Powell should have been inducted into the HOF decades ago. The truth be told though, he will likely never be honored on the scale of Pearson, Hayes, and others.
Art Powell would qualify to some as an NFL reject. Granted he signed with the New York Titans (later Jets) after only one season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Yet Powell’s departure from the NFL was by no means based upon any lack of productivity. In fact, as a Defensive Back/Kick Returner, Powell intercepted 3 passes while averaging over 27 yards per kick return including a 95 yards touchdown during his rookie season of 1959. His release by the Eagles was due to applied principles rather than a lack of productivity. Powell had refused to participate in a 1960 preseason game against Washington in Virginia because he and the other black players were not allowed to stay in the same hotel as their teammates. Subsequently, he was released.
Shortly thereafter Powell signed with the Titans in time for their inaugural 1960 season. When Head Coach Sammy Baugh converted him to a receiver, the results were historic. Powell teamed up opposite Don Maynard to become the first pair of 1,000 yards receivers in the same season, then for good measure the duo repeated the feat again two years later in 1962. Powell led the AFL in touchdown receptions in 1960, as well as 1963, which was his first season with the Oakland Raiders. The fact is that his acquisition by the Raiders gave rookie coach Al Davis the key component to implement the vertical aerial assault Offensive plan that he had learned while on Sid Gillman’s Chargers coaching staff from 1960-1962. The newly acquired Powell had his best season in 1963; leading the league in both receiving yardage and touchdowns. It was the second time in his career that he led the AFL in each category, and the second year in a row that the former Titan led the league in receiving yardage.
Even after he signed with the AFL, Powell had continued to take a stand against systemic racism. While with the Titans he withheld his services from a preseason game that was played in South Carolina due to the segregated and deplorable lodging conditions of the black players. Later with the Raiders, Powell led a four player strike that actually resulted in a change of venue for a game that was originally scheduled to be played in Mobile, Alabama. Credit Raiders Coach and General Manager Al Davis for moving the game to Oakland after listening to the concerns expressed by Powell and three other principled players who all four refused to play in the game due to segregated seating. Powell had even more peer support when he and 20 other black players united in solidarity and refused to participate in the 1964 AFL All Star Game after being subjected to undue racist treatment by the locals upon arrival in New Orleans. The winds of social change were evident as the league reluctantly moved the entire venue to Houston.
Art Powell was an accomplished professional football star whose 8,046 career receiving yards and 81 touchdown receptions constitute a Hall of Fame worthy career. He was likewise a principled individual who lived in accord with the courage of his convictions. In an era when the black male was expected to comply with the standards of systemic racism, Powell refused to acquiesce to the social prejudices to which he and others were subjected.
Long live the memory of the productive and principled Art Powell.
Long live the memory of the AFL.
The AFL Original Eight 