Age 83, passed away Sunday, August 23, 2020, leaving his devoted wife of 60 years, Blanche Powell, sons Larry Powell, Preston K Powell, two daughters Valencia Brazzell (Lorenzo Sr), and Serica Powell. Four grandchildren, Preston Raymond (Jasmine), Lorenzo Brazzell, Phylecia Harvey (deceased) and Asia Powell. Five great-grandchildren; Jordan Harvey, London Raymond, Lennox Raymond, Lorenzo Brazzell III and Chase Brazzell. Preston Powell was a rookie running back from Grambling who was drafted in the seventh round by the Browns in 1961 and it didn’t take him long to catch everybody’s attention. At six feet, two inches tall and 225 pounds, he backed down from nobody, not even the great Jim Brown. Brown once stated “Of all the players who came here to take my spot, you were the one I was afraid of.” Over the years, Preston was coached by Eddie Robinson, Paul Brown, Tom Landry, and George Halas. It is possible that in the history of the game no single player ever was coached by such a collection of gridiron legends. Knee injuries cut his football career short. While playing softball in a Sunday morning league at Woodland Hills Park on Cleveland’s East Side, he caught the eye of Otis Chapman, a softball veteran who later was inducted into the Softball Hall of Fame. Chapman tipped off Joe Nato, the sponsor manager of the Star Motel team in the PD-Major slow pitch. He had never witnessed such pure, raw talent. Just like that, Preston had work to do and Nato had his first superstar. Nato developed one of the greatest home run hitters in the history of the game, and without a doubt, the greatest player Nato ever managed. The 270-foot fences at Morgana Park could not contain him. Preston was inducted into the Softball Hall of Fame in 2012.
VIA: https://obits.cleveland.com/obituaries/cleveland/obituary.aspx?n=preston-j-powell&pid=196714541
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