Jets announce deaths of former linemen Jim Sweeney, Marvin Powell
Offensive tackle Jim Sweeney of the Jets in action during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns won the game 38-24. Credit: Getty Images/Rick Stewart
PITTSBURGH — Longtime Jets offensive lineman Jim Sweeney and right tackle Marvin Powell passed away this week, the team announced Sunday.
Powell, 67, passed away on Friday and Sweeney, 60, died on Saturday.
“Our entire Jets family is saddened to learn of the passing of longtime and outstanding Jets, Marvin Powell and Jim Sweeney,” owner Woody Johnson said in a statement. “We're thinking of their families today.”
Sweeney, a second-round pick in 1984 out of Pittsburgh, was an extremely durable player. He started 158 consecutive games for the Jets from 1984 to 1994. Sweeney played left guard and left tackle early in his career, before becoming the Jets’ full-time center in 1988.
Powell, the No. 4 overall pick in 1977 out of USC, was a five-time Pro Bowl tackle and a three-time All-Pro selection. He spent nine seasons with the Jets, starting 123 of 124 games. Powell was voted the Jets’ MVP by his teammates in 1979.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
