In recent news, Marvin Powell and Jim Sweeney have died. The team announced that the duo who anchored the New York Jets offensive line during the 1980s died a day apart. Taking to Twitter, New York Jets posted pictures of the deceased both Marvin and Jim, and wrote that two of the greatest offensive lineman to wear the Green & White have passed away. Tributes have poured in for the duo on social media as everyone is coming forward and expressing their sadness about his demise. Here, check what happened to them.
According to Powell’s son, Marvin Powell III, the former died of heart failure. However, Sweeney’s death cause was not released. Powell was 67 while Sweeney was 60 at the time of their sudden death. Powell was a three-time All-Pro who played with the Jets from 1977 to 1985. He was selected in the first round of the draught. His final two seasons of football were spent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sweeney started 158 straight games for the Jets, predominantly at the center, and was selected in the second round of the 1984 draught.
He played center for the Jets exclusively from 1988 to 1994 before concluding his career in 1995 with the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers (1996-99). He was Dan Marino’s center at Pitt, where he attended high school. Woody Johnson, the owner of the Jets, tweeted, “Our entire Jets family is devastated to learn of the passing of longtime and exceptional Jets, Marvin Powell and Jim Sweeney. We’re considering their families right now.
Powell, who resided in the Tampa, Florida, region, had recently lost touch with his former comrades. Sweeney started working as a coach. He served as the offensive line coach at both Duquesne (2000-02) and Albany (2014-21) during his time as a collegiate coach. Wesley Walker, a former Jets wide receiver who played with both, told ESPN on Sunday morning, “This is absolutely shocking, to lose two former teammates like this, so close together.”
When we played, Marvin was my best friend, Walker recalled. “He served as the best man at my wedding, and we were both drafted together. He was a physical specimen on the field but a teddy bear off it. He was also highly brilliant. The sweetest of men.” It is no doubt to say that their sudden death of them has shaken everyone to the core. People are coming forward and are paying them heartfelt tributes. Stay connected with Social Telecast for more updates.
