Watch CBS News

Daily Madden: The Amazing Charlie Powell

Best of John Madden:

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - To stay in shape during the NFL lockout, at least one player - Tom Zbikowski of the Baltimore Ravens - started boxing professionally, hoping to be the best boxer who played in the NFL.

John Madden told the KCBS morning crew it would be hard to top Charlie Powell, who played for the 49ers in the 1950s before boxing professionally and becoming a ranked heavyweight.

"He was an amazing guy... He was Lebron James before Lebron James," Madden said. "He came out of high school, no military service, no college. Went right from high school to the 49ers and started as a defensive end in the NFL... When I talk about amazing feats in sports, I always think of Charlie Powell."

(4:25)
(Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM.)

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.