Joe Powell (American football)


Joe Powell is a professional gridiron football linebacker for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. He played college football at Globe Institute of Technology in Manhattan, New York City.

Early years

Powell prepped at I. C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, Virginia, where he played football and track & field.

College career

Powell played one season of football at Globe Institute of Technology, totaling 53 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one interception in 2013.

Professional career

Lehigh Valley Steelhawks

Powell was signed by the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks of the Professional Indoor Football League in 2015. He earned PIFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors after recording 52.5 tackles and 11 interceptions.

Cleveland Gladiators

Powell was assigned to the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League on August 11, 2015. He played for the team during the 2016 season.
Powell attended rookie minicamp with the Philadelphia Eagles on a tryout basis in May 2016.

New York Giants

Powell signed with the New York Giants on August 17, 2016. On August 30, 2016, he was waived by the Giants.

Buffalo Bills

On October 25, 2016, Powell was signed to the Bills' practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Bills on January 2, 2017. On September 2, 2017, Powell was waived by the Bills.

Atlanta Havoc

Powell signed with the Atlanta Havoc in January 2018.

First stint with Brigade

On March 22, 2018, Powell was assigned to the Baltimore Brigade.

Birmingham Iron

Powell signed with the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football for the 2019 season.

Second stint with Brigade

After the AAF suspended football operations, Powell was assigned to the Baltimore Brigade on April 7, 2019.

St. Louis BattleHawks

In October 2019, Powell was drafted by the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL in the 2020 XFL Draft. He scored the first special teams touchdown in the second generation of the XFL on February 23, 2020, scoring on a 90-yard kickoff return, which featured a reverse that he received from Keith Mumphery. He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

On April 13, 2020, it was announced that Powell had signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.