Ray, The Senior Committee didn't pass on Powell, it endorsed him. He was one of three finalists the Senior Committee nominated -- DT Steve McMichael, WR Art Powell and coach Buddy Parker. All they each needed was an 80 percent yes vote from the full 50-person selection committee.In a rarity,both Powell and Parker were denied by the full committee. The senior committee showed the insight and courage to endorse Powell, a man who was far before his time both as a receiver and a man of social conscience. It was a travesty that the full committee did not grasp the gravity of the situation nor the incredible on-field achievements of Powell. He was a serious man who did not suffer fools and did not accept racial inequality. His on the field accomplishments were startling, but he wasn't warm and fuzzy and was shunned for marrying a white woman in 1957, then was ridiculed for doing the same things John Carlos, Tommy Smith and the Cleveland Seven did....years after him. He belongs in the Hall of Fame.

Posted by Frank on 08/15/2024 @ 20:11pm

Just bizarre for the Senior Committee to pass on Powell. They've thrown up candidates before with dubious credentials, but look at the leaderboards. Top 6 in Receiving Yards and Receiving Yards/Game from 1960-66, or every full year of his career, including leading the league in '62 and '63, and only skipping 1961 when it came to touchdowns, leading the league in '60 and '63. And sure, he had Tom Flores as his QB from '63-'66 when he went to the Raiders, but he still led the league in Receiving Yards and Receiving Yards/Game in 1962 with Johnny Green (who?) as his primary QB, or in touchdowns with Al Dorow in 1960, who just happened to have arguably the two best seasons of his career with Powell to throw to from 1960-61. He looks absolutely legitimate to me.

Posted by Ray on 02/14/2024 @ 16:35pm