Gary Powell died at age 85 on May 15 in Alexander City. His memorial service was held in the auditorium of Benjamin Russell High School on Wednesday, and mourners were encouraged to wear their Wildcats gear or dress in the maroon and white of BRHS.
That’s because Powell spent 37 years as a teacher at the school and even longer as a coach, since he stayed on the sidelines after he had retired from his teaching position. In that capacity, Powell had the opportunity to touch the lives of many students and athletes, and upon Powell’s death, Benjamin Russell’s most famous athlete, Pro Football Hall of Fame member Terrell Owens, shared a poignant post on social meeting about Powell and speaking to his coach for the final time.
“On Thursday morning, May 15th around 9:30 a.m. PST, I was able to say goodbye to my high school receivers coach, Coach Powell,” Owens wrote. “Thanks to his granddaughter Caity, who connected the call as he was literally breathing his last breaths because just six hours or so later around 3:30 p.m., my coach was gone.”
Owens inserted a broken-heart emoji at this point in his post.
“Although he didn’t respond as I spoke to him,” Owens continued, “I knew he could hear me as I shared with him that I loved him, I’m gonna miss him and that little did he know that amongst of ALL the great athletes that came through @brhswildcatfb and coached, he coached a Hall Of Famer and he had an integral part of my @nfl career.
“I’ll never forget one of the first varsity practices, Coach Powell asking and then telling us the most important thing about being one of ‘his receivers’ was to be able to block first, then be able to catch the football second. I carried that mindset from high school, college onto the NFL. If (you) don’t believe me, find some clips of me blocking and roll the tape.”
With his words, Owens shared photos of him in his Pro Football Hall of Fame gold jacket visiting Powell and his wife, Bonnie, at their home.
“I’m so happy I got a chance to share with you my Hall of Fame ring and jacket,” Owens concluded. “Mannnn, just a lil scrawny kid from Alexander City, Alabama. Again, thank you. Love you coach! REST IN PEACE COACH.”
Owens was not an All-State star at Benjamin Russell. He went from the Wildcats to Chattanooga, where he played football and basketball.
From the Mocs, Owens entered the NFL as a third-round selection in the 1996 draft. Over the next 15 seasons, Owens caught 1,078 passes for 15,934 yards and 153 touchdowns. He made first-team All-Pro five times and earned Pro Bowl recognition six times. In NFL history, Owens ranks third in receiving yards and touchdown receptions and eighth in receptions.
Owens entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the Class of 2018.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at@AMarkG1.