Former Jets linemen Marvin Powell, Jim Sweeney dead

Former longtime New York Jets offensive linemen Marvin Powell and Jim Sweeney died this week, the staff introduced Sunday.

Powell was a three-time All-Professional at proper deal with and served as president of the NFL Gamers Affiliation for 2 years throughout his 11-year NFL profession, the primary 9 with the Jets. He died Friday, the Jets mentioned. Powell was 67.

Sweeney was one of many Jets’ most sturdy gamers, beginning 158 consecutive video games throughout an 11-year stretch with the staff, largely at middle. He died Saturday, the Jets mentioned. Sweeney was 60.

The 2 had been teammates with the Jets throughout the 1984 and ’85 seasons.

Powell, a member of the School Soccer Corridor of Fame, was drafted by the Jets because the No. 4 general decide in 1977 out of USC. He gained a beginning job as a rookie and have become one of many franchise’s greatest and most-decorated gamers, chosen to the Professional Bowl 5 straight seasons from 1979-83. Powell was an All-Professional in 1979, ‘81 and ’82.

Powell was additionally chosen the Jets’ MVP by his teammates in 1979.

“Marvin was among the finest linemen I’ve ever seen,” former Jets extensive receiver Wesley Walker instructed the staff’s web site. “He was only a bodily specimen. He was simply good. I simply liked him.”

Powell performed his final two seasons with Tampa Bay, ending with 130 begins in 133 video games.

Powell was additionally one of many league’s most revered gamers whereas serving as a participant union rep, then was elected as vice chairman of the NFLPA earlier than serving as president for 2 years. The Fort Bragg, North Carolina, native labored as an intern on the New York Inventory Change and earned his legislation diploma from New York Regulation Faculty in 1987.

Powell’s son Marvin III performed 9 video games as a fullback for New Orleans in 1999.

Sweeney was a second-round select of Pittsburgh — the place he was Dan Marino’s middle — in 1984 and began two video games as a rookie. The Pittsburgh native began each recreation at left guard in his second season, then moved to left deal with for 2 seasons earlier than changing into the Jets’ middle in 1988 — a job he held for seven years.

His versatility and toughness made him one of many staff’s most useful gamers. It additionally earned him the respect of teammates and opponents.

“Jim was a typical Pittsburgh man,” former teammate and present staff radio analyst Marty Lyons instructed the staff’s web site. “He was powerful — he was powerful to follow towards on daily basis. You can rely on him each single Sunday.

“He had a unique persona as quickly as he crossed over the strains, although. Exhausting-nosed, powerful soccer participant, a loving, caring buddy off the sector.”

Sweeney began each recreation for Seattle in 1995 and wrapped up his 16-year profession by taking part in 4 seasons along with his hometown Steelers. He performed in 228 video games, together with 176 begins.

Sweeney obtained into teaching after his taking part in days, serving as an assistant at Duquesne and Albany. He additionally was an assistant at the highschool stage within the Pittsburgh suburbs for eight years.

Sweeney is survived by his spouse Julie and their 5 youngsters: Shannon, Liam, Aislinn, Kilian, and Teagan.