Sticking Neck Out : Powell Resumes Career in Shrine Game After Injury That Wasn’t as Serious as It Appeared

Courtney Blunt was the first to notice there was something seriously wrong with Marvin Powell.

Midway through the second quarter of Birmingham High’s City Section 3-A Division semifinal game against Wilson last December, Powell, a senior fullback-linebacker, absorbed a ferocious tackle by Wilson defensive back Jaime Munoz after catching a short pass.

Powell had taken many such hits over a four-year varsity career, and like almost all of them, Powell got up and walked back toward the Braves’ huddle.

This time, however, he could barely lift his head.

“It was a big emotional hit for them,” said Blount, Birmingham’s tailback. “I was telling Marvin to get up, to show them it didn’t affect him. But then I saw the blood coming out of his mouth and I knew he was in trouble.”

Unable to stand, Powell dropped to one knee. Thirty minutes later, an immobilized Powell, accompanied by his father, former USC and New York Jet tackle Marvin Powell Jr., and his stepmother, was rushed to County-USC Medical Center.

Seven months later, Powell returns to a hospital, although this time he’s the visitor, not the patient.

Powell, fully recovered from the sprained neck suffered on the hit, is one of 70 players from Texas and California playing tonight at 7 in the 44th Shrine all-star football game at Cal State Fullerton, It will be the first time Powell has played since the injury.

Part of the weeklong activities included a visit to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children near Downtown, not far from where Powell was taken last December.

As Powell signed autographs, shook hands and wheeled patients around, he was reminded of his brief hospital stay.

When Powell arrived at County-USC in serious condition, doctors discussed with him two scenarios: He could never play football again and he would have to wear a neck brace for two years.

Powell’s football future suddenly flashed before his eyes.

“A lot of things starting going through my head,” Powell said. “By that time I was pretty sure I was getting a scholarship somewhere. But if I didn’t have football, I was thinking a lot of random thoughts: ‘Should I be a cop? Maybe I should go to junior college somewhere.’ ”

Any thoughts of panic were soon jettisoned by Marvin’s father.

“He’s normally a very calm person but even in that situation, he stayed calm and rational the entire time,” Powell said. “If he wasn’t there, I probably would have lost it at some point.”

Powell’s worst fears were quickly alleviated after a thorough examination and he was discharged with a sprained neck four hours after being admitted.

His Birmingham teammates, who rallied to defeat Wilson, 27-20, heard a different story.

“When we got off the bus we were told his football career was over, that he had a broken neck, that he might not walk again,” Blunt said. “I went straight to the hospital but he had gone home already.”

Powell recovered quickly, participating in light workouts the week before the 3-A championship game, awaiting clearance to play.

On Thursday, the day before the game, Powell received word he could play. But after a long discussion with his father, Powell decided not to risk further injury.

As Birmingham warmed up for the championship game against Bell the next night, Powell, one of the Braves’ captains, stayed distant from his teammates, listening to headphones to help block out the frustration.

“It was one of the toughest things I had to go through,” Powell said. “For three years we were waiting for our chance to play for a championship. It was there and I couldn’t be there with them. I didn’t understand the decision much at the time but looking back, I know now where my father was coming from.”

Deflated by the loss of Powell, Birmingham came out flat and didn’t recover, losing, 25-3.

The neck injury didn’t dissuade college recruiters. After taking trips to USC, UCLA, Colorado and Northwestern, Powell initially settled on the Buffaloes. But he reconsidered after continued courting by USC assistant coach Charles White, a teammate of Powell’s father at USC in 1976. Powell signed a letter of intent with the Trojans in February.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Powell, a linebacker throughout high school, will be switched to safety.

“I’ve played all kinds of linebacker positions, inside, outside, weakside,” Powell said. “Safety won’t be that different.”

Powell’s decision to attend USC invites obvious comparisons with his father, but he contends Marvin Powell Jr. had little to do with the final decision.

“It would be a lie to say my father’s name didn’t help a little bit when it came to recruiting,” Powell said. “But the USC of 20 years ago and the USC now is very different. The coach [John Robinson] is still the same but the school has changed. I’m going to have a different experience than my father did.”

Powell had the college scholarship he wanted and competed in track during the spring, but he hadn’t tested his neck until the first Shrine practice earlier this week.

Although Powell felt tentative and nervous as he strapped on his pads, the tension disappeared once he made contact. Before he knew it, the practice was over.

“It sure didn’t look like he had any kind of problem,” California and Mater Dei Coach Bruce Rollinson said. “He looked 110%.”

The boot-camp style training marks an appropriate new beginning for Powell. Six California teammates will join Powell at USC for fall practice in four weeks. Daylon McCutcheon (Bishop Amat), Billy Miller (Westlake), Lawrence Larry (Littlerock) and Mike Bastianelli (Concord De La Salle) will be Powell’s roommates at USC.

“We’re already talking about winning the 1997 national championship,” Powell said. “We’ve got Colorado, Florida State, Notre Dame on the schedule. We’ll be playing the best and we’ll be the best. I just thank God I’m going to have the chance to play.”