Chip Kell, a VFL College Football Hall of Famer, dies.
During his playing days at Tennessee (1968–1970), Chip Kell was selected three times as an All-SEC player and twice as a consensus All-American. He passed away on May 25, 2024, in Cohutta, Georgia, at the age of 75.
The 21st Vol to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame was Kell in 2006.
Kell arrived at the Vols from Avondale High School in Decatur, Georgia, as a member of the 1966–67 recruiting class. As a sophomore in 1968, he played center, and without skipping a beat, switched to guard in 1969. He was a member of teams that finished 8-2-1 in 1968, 9-2 and the SEC championship in 1969, and 11-1 and the final No. 4 rating in 1970. He and his senior classmates were unbeaten at Shields-Watkins Field during his Tennessee varsity career; the only loss coming in the 1968 season opener, a 17–17 draw with Georgia. After a thrilling 34-13 victory over Air Force in the 1971 Sugar Bowl, Kell and his Vol teammates concluded their careers.
In addition to winning the Jacobs Memorial Award twice as the greatest blocker in the SEC, Kell was named the SEC’s most outstanding lineman by the Birmingham Quarterback Club during his senior year. He competed in the Senior Bowl in 1971 as well. Following the 1970 Kentucky game, he was selected national lineman of the week.
Kell was a two-sport standout for the Vols who was also a brilliant shot putter for the Tennessee track squad. In addition to winning the 1968 Indoor title, he also won the 1969 Indoor and Outdoor SEC titles. With a score of 58-7 from 1968, he held the school record in the shot at the end of his career.
His head coach in 1968 and 1969, former UT Director of Athletics Doug Dickey, stated of Chip Kell, “one of the most powerful athletes that I had ever coached at that time.” “He was way ahead of his time in development by use of weight training, and he became a true leader on the football team.”
“I owe everything to God, my family, school, and football,” said Kell following the announcement of his selection into the Hall of Fame. Playing for Coach Dickey and Coach Battle was a privilege. I owe Lefty Thompson and Calvin Ramsey, my high school coaches, a great deal.”
Although Kell spent two seasons with the CFL Edmonton Eskimos, he was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the 17th round of the 1971 NFL Draft (1971–72).
Plans are still being made for the funeral.
