Art Powell Named Senior Finalist For Pro Football HOF

Las Vegas Raiders great Art Powell is one of several franchise legends to have a Hall-of-Fame resume and not yet be inducted.

Powell might soon get his chance, as the Pro Football Hall of Fame has named him one of three senior finalists for its Class of 2024.

His fellow finalists are former Defensive Player of the Year, linebacker Randy Gradishar, and Super Bowl XX champion, defensive tackle Steve McMichael.

Powell was an Oakland Raider for four seasons and had arguably the best season of his career in his first with the Silver and Black.

In that 1963 campaign, Powell would lead the AFL with 13,04 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns, a single-season franchise record that still stands to this day. He also led the AFL in receiving yards per game that season at 93.1.

Powell went on to be named to the second All-Pro First Team of his decade-long career. He also was selected to the first of four straight AFL All-Star teams for that 1963 season.

In those four seasons with the Raiders, Powell totaled 4,491 receiving yards, 50 receiving touchdowns and 254 receptions in 56 games.

Powell was drafted in the 11th round of the 1959 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.

He began his professional career originally as a defensive back before he moved to wide receiver with the New York Titans (now New York Jets).

Powell then went on to play his years in Oakland, a year with the Buffalo Bills, and lastly, his final season with the Minnesota Vikings.

The Raiders legend finished his NFL career with 8,046 receiving yards and 81 touchdowns on 479 receptions in 117 games.

He is the NFL's second all-time leader in receiving touchdowns per game when considering only his 105 games as a wide receiver. His average of 0.77 trails only Hall of Famer Don Hutson.

Powell passed away in 2015.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee will declare their Class of 2024 early next year, prior to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.

The Silver and Black return to preseason action when they play the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT.

Please tell us your thoughts when you like our Facebook Page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.