John Powers: A Life of Impact and Legacy (1958-2024)

Dec 19, 2024

John Powers in uniform posing with football helmet

John Powers, Michigan Football Offensive Guard, 1977-1981

Growing up in Oak Park, Illinois, John Powers led an incredibly impactful life, touching everyone who knew him. A proud husband, father, and grandfather, John played offensive guard for the University of Michigan from 1977 to 1981. John passed away on September 30th, leaving a legacy that extended far beyond his playing days and left many lasting impressions.

John’s football career was marked by excellence, spanning some of Bo Schembechler’s greatest teams in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Recruited from Fenwick High School, John excelled in multiple disciplines, setting a high school state record in the shot put and showcasing natural athleticism that attracted colleges across the Midwest.

However, his recruiting process quickly ended when Bo Schembechler expressed his desire for John to join his team. As a colleague who attended another Big Ten school told John, “If Michigan and Bo call, you need to go.” Later that fall, John found himself in Ann Arbor, adjusting to dorm life and enduring grueling August two-a-days.

John played offensive guard as part of one of Michigan’s strongest lines in history. A multi-year starter on teams rich in talent at every position, he was an anchor on the 1980 team. That year, Michigan’s entire offensive line earned All-Big Ten First Team honors (George Lilja, Kurt Becker, Ed Muransky, Bubba Paris, and John Powers), culminating in a perfect Big Ten record and a Rose Bowl victory—one of four Rose Bowls John played during his career. While his time at Michigan was full of remarkable achievements, his post-football career exemplified the values instilled in him: or as echoed from Michigan coaches over the years, “true greatness is measured by the kind of person one becomes twenty years after their playing days.”

Passion for Protection: On and Off the Field

Family and friendships were central to John’s life, a value he carried from growing up with three sisters spanning a 20-year age range. His own children, Mary Grace and Conner, noted the overwhelming turnout at his service, where few spoke of his athletic success. Instead, the focus was on John’s generosity and his commitment to friendships. While some of these friendships began in sports, they often endured for decades. One such bond that became lifelong was with Neil Bresnaham, who met John in grade school and later played basketball at the University of Illinois. Mary Grace fondly recalled her father’s role in “protecting Neil” during basketball games, often fouling out—a foreshadowing of his ability to protect quarterbacks in later years.

After being drafted by the New York Giants and a brief stint in the NFL, John returned to Illinois, where he found fulfillment in family life, coaching, and a career at the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). There, he worked as a commodities trader in soybeans, a job that required quick judgment, execution, and even physicality—skills that came naturally to a former offensive guard. John thrived, eventually becoming chair of the “beanpot” at the CBOT.
John’s work schedule allowed him to be home by 3 PM, enabling him to coach and actively participate in his children’s lives. He coached Oak Park middle and high school teams, instilling lessons from his own athletic journey. Mary Grace recalled being instructed to foul opponents during games, much like her father had been instructed a generation earlier. John also coached his son Conner, before stepping back as Conner’s baseball career flourished. Conner would go on to play at Mississippi State, participate in the College World Series, and eventually be drafted by the New York Mets and later the San Diego Padres.

A Lifeline Across an Ocean

In February 1996, John was diagnosed with leukemia, requiring a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, none of his three sisters were a match. However, Spencer Smith, a volunteer donor from Norwich, England, turned out to be a perfect match. Spencer underwent an extensive procedure to donate two liters of bone marrow—nearly double the usual amount. The marrow was flown to Seattle, Washington, where John’s transplant was successful.
After remission, John and Spencer agreed to meet, beginning a lifelong friendship that lasted 28 years. The families visited each other across the ocean, maintaining regular phone calls and fostering a bond born of extraordinary circumstances.

Believe in Miracles: John and his bone marrow donor Spencer Smith

A Legacy of Humility and Impact

John returned to the CBOT and the corporate world, embodying the values he had learned as a player under Bo Schembechler as his children grew. Both children recounted the respect for all and the importance of discipline, along with John reminding his family, “Early is on time and on time is late.” a saying heard many times from his playing days.
In 2011, John was inducted into the Catholic Hall of Fame for his remarkable achievements. Yet, in his acceptance speech, he focused not on his own accomplishments but on expressing gratitude to his family, teammates, coaches, and others who had positively impacted his life. This humility and generosity defined John Powers, leaving an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him—a legacy that will surely be carried on by others for years to come.

John J. Powers (American Football)

John Powers is a former American football player who played as Offensive Guard for the University of Michigan Wolverines during the 1980 college football season. He was a key contributor to the Wolverines’ championship-winning team in 1980, under the coaching of the legendary Bo Schembechler.

Player Profile:

  • Position: Offensive Guard (OG), Left Guard (LG)
  • Years Active: 1976-1980
  • Height: 6’3″
  • Weight: 265 lbs
  • Hometown: Oak Park, Illinois
  • High School: Fenwick High School

Notable Accomplishments:

  • Powers played a key role in Michigan’s offensive line throughout his career, but most notably in the 1980 season.
  • He earned All-Conference honors in his senior year (1980), demonstrating his importance to Michigan’s success that season.
  • He contributed to Michigan’s Big Ten Championship victory in 1980, which culminated in a 23-6 Rose Bowl win over Washington.

Season Highlights (1980):

  • Powers was instrumental in Michigan’s 10-2 overall record and an undefeated 8-0 Big Ten record.
  • He helped pave the way for a potent running attack, featuring Butch Woolfolk and Stan Edwards. Michigan’s offense was anchored by Powers and his fellow linemen, including George Lilja and Ed Muransky.
  • The Wolverines defeated several top teams in 1980, including their 9-3 win over Ohio State and their dominant 26-0 win over Purdue.

Team and Leadership:

  • Michigan’s 1980 team, under the guidance of Bo Schembechler, was ranked No. 4 nationally by both the AP and UPI polls by the end of the season. Powers was a crucial part of this success.
  • The offensive line was a consistent force, with Powers starting in nearly all the games of the 1980 season, protecting the quarterback and contributing to the success of both the passing and running games.

Powers’ legacy remains within Michigan’s football history as part of a memorable season that showcased his skill and impact on the offensive line.

1980 Michigan Football Team Photo

Early Life and Education

John Powers was born April 6, 1958 in Oak Park, Illinois. He attended Fenwick High School for his high school education.

College Career

Powers played college football for the University of Michigan Wolverines. He was a prominent member of the 1980 Wolverines football team, which achieved significant success during that season. Powers’ outstanding performance as a Guard contributed to the team’s victory in the Big Ten Conference and their championship win.

Championship Year – 1980

In 1980, under the leadership of Coach Bo Schembechler, John Powers and the Wolverines had a remarkable season. They achieved a 10–2 record and secured the Big Ten Conference title. This season culminated in the Wolverines winning the championship, with Powers playing a pivotal role as a Guard.

1980 Michigan Wolverines Records

Overall Record: 10–2
Conference Record: 8–0
Big Ten Conference Champions
John received first-team honors on the 1980 All-Big Ten Conference football team.

NFL Career

After his successful college career, John Powers was drafted into the NFL. He was selected number in the 8th round, number 197 by the New York Giants in the 1981 NFL Draft.

Legacy

John Powers’ contribution to the University of Michigan’s championship-winning team in 1980 is celebrated in the history of Wolverines football. His dedication and skill as a Guard left a lasting impact on the team’s success during that memorable season.

Media

30th Anniversary of the Championship Team

When your football team fields three (count ‘em, three!) running backs that rush for over 900 yards each and about 7 touchdowns on average each, well, that’s the sign of a a run-centric football coach, an incredible offensive line, or both. In 1980 Michigan scrapped most of its option run plays because it’s quarterback John Wangler was recovering from knee surgery. The Wolverines moved to a Multiple I attack with some two split back pro set formations as well. Butch Woolfolk, Stan Edwards and Lawrence Ricks were excellent runners and alternated at tailback. In 1980 Woolfolk racked up an impressive 1,073 yards and 8 TDs, Edwards had 916 yards and 8 TDs and Ricks gained 904 yards and 6 TDs. Behind Michigan’s massive offensive line, it didn’t really matter which running back was in there. All three backs were now big enough to serve as excellent blockers for Wangler on play action passing downs too. Jerry Hanlon, Michigan’s offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, was fortunate to return 4 of the 5 front lineman from 1979 in tackles Bubba Paris and Ed Muransky, center George Lilja and offensive guard Kurt Becker. In 1980 John Powers would replace senior John Arbeznik at guard and did a fantastic job. Offensively, Michigan averaged 27 points per game that season.

J. Powers State Champ     Headshot of young John Powers

1980 Games:

Full Season Game videos:

1 Comment

  1. Terry Hanson on January 22, 2025 at 10:54 pm

    A better person than the outstanding footballer
    I’m proud to have been his teammate at Fenwick

    Reply

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