6-2, 311 Tydreke Powell played collegiately for North Carolina, where he was team captain of the defense from his defensive tackle position. In his senior season he finished with 47 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 1 pass defensed, and a forced fumble. Considered raw and unpolished, many scouts believed that he has aggressive natural talent and athleticism that will allow him to develop with the right team at the NFL level with the right conditioning and training. If there was a better place to land- I am not sure of many, as Powell was signed as an undrafted free agent by the defensive line stacked Minnesota Vikings. Tydreke did not see any playing time his rookie year, but Jared Allen thinks he has an amazing singing voice.
Card: Score 1990
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012
6’7″, 300, Tim Irwin was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 3rd round of the 1981 draft. He’d ride the bench while learning the finer points of the craft from legendary offensive tackle Ron Yary, pretty much his whole rookie season. It’d be in 1982 that he’d start a really nice run of 181 consecutive starts playing right tackle for the team. Tim played for the Vikings through the 1993 season. In 1994 he started 6 games for the Buccaneers before finishing his career with 5 more for the Dolphins.
While still playing for the Vikings in 1990, Irwin went back and finished his law degree at his Alma Mater, Tennessee. He is well rounded in many fields of practice and was appointed a juvenile judge in 2005. Tim also has devoted much of his time to Boys & Girls Club sponsorships, and promoting youth football in Tennessee.
Card: ProSet 1989
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012
Kirk Lowdermilk was an offensive lineman out of Ohio State taken in the 3rd round of the 1985 draft. With great measurables at 6’3″, 284, he stepped right in, starting 2 games at center for the team his rookie season and playing mainly on special teams as a long snapper. It wouldn’t be until 1987, that Kirk solidified his regular starting status for the Vikings, and he’d work hard paving the way for guys like Darrin Nelson, and Alfred Anderson out of the backfield, while snapping to quarterbacks Tommy Kramer and Wade Wilson. At the time he was the league’s youngest starting center at the age of 24. He broke his thumb the following season, in 1988, which caused him to miss 4 games. Still he earned AP honorable mention after the season concluded. The team’s workmanlike approach allowed them to field very consistent playoff caliber teams through the years, and Kirk played for them through 1992.
1993 hearalded the dawn of a new era of free agency, and Kirk cashed in becoming the highest paid lineman in the league. Indianapolis desperately needed new blood on the o-line and Kirk fit the bill. He did not disappoint, playing for the Colts over the next 4 seasons, retiring after the 1996 campaign. Retired and living in Ohio, Kirk has dabbled in coaching in his spare time.
G/Gs 178/150
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
Card: Leaf Rookies 2012
