Being named a Senior finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame has become almost an automatic in recent years. In fact every Senior finalist since 2012 had made it to induction. So, wouldn’t you know it, the first time it happened in 12 years, it was a Raiders legend who was down voted and kept out.
Art Powell was among three players who were named Senior finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The other two were Randy Gradisher and Steve McMichael.
Gradisher and McMichael made it. Powell did not.
It was bad enough that it took the senior committee in order for Raiders greats Ray Guy, Ken Stabler, and Cliff Branch to get into the Hall of Fame, but now they’re even finding way to reject them through this route as well.
Powell is a forgotten man because it’s been 55 years since he suited up. But he still carries some lofty franchise and league records to this day.
He had 81 touchdown catches in 105 games, giving him an average of .77 touchdowns per game. That’s second highest ever behind only Don Hutson (.85).
Powell led the league in receiving in 1963 (1304) and his 16 touchdowns that season is still the franchise record. He outdid his receiving numbers the following year. His 1361 yards that season is still third in franchise history. The following year, he put up a franchise record 247 yards in a single game.
He just got snubbed. And with Eric Allen also not making the cut from modern-era finalists, the Raiders have been shut out from the Hall of Fame class this year.
