Chip Kell
Photo by Austin Perryman, UT Athletics
Chip Kell, who was a two-time All-American and three-time SEC All-Star during his playing career at Tennessee (1968-70), passed away on May 25, 2024, in Cohutta, Georgia, at the age of 75.
In 2006, Kell became the 21st player inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Kell joined the Vols as a freshman in 1966-67 out of Avondale High School in Decatur, Georgia. He played center as a sophomore in 1968 and quickly moved to guard in 1969.
The teams he played for went 8-2-1 with one tie in 1968, 9-2 in 1969 to win the SEC title and 11-1 in 1970 for a final ranking of 4th. During his playing career at Tennessee, he and the seniors never lost at Shields-Watkins Field, tarnishing his record only with a 17-17 tie with the University of Georgia in the season opener in 1968. Kell and his Vol teammates ended their playing careers with a 34-13 victory over Air Force in the 1971 Sugar Bowl, finishing their time at Tennessee with 10 straight wins and a 28-5-1 tie overall.
Kell twice won the Jacobs Memorial Award as the SEC's best blocker and was named the Birmingham Quarterback Club's SEC Lineman of the Year during his senior season and also played in the Senior Bowl in 1971. After the 1970 game against Kentucky, he was named the nation's best lineman.
A two-sport star at the University of Tennessee, Kell excelled in the shot put for the Tennessee track and field team, where he won both the indoor and outdoor SEC titles in 1969 and also won the indoor title in 1968. At the time of his retirement, he held the school record in the shot put with a 58-7 record in 1968.
“Chip Kell was one of the strongest athletes I ever coached,” said former University of Texas athletic director Doug Dickey, who was his head coach in 1968 and 1969. “He used weight training to become a pioneer in player development at the time and a true leader on the football team.”
Upon hearing of his induction, Kell said, “I give all my thanks to God, my family, my school and football. It was an honor to play for Coach Dickey and Coach Battle. I owe a lot to my high school coaches, Lefty Thompson and Calvin Ramsey.”
Kell was selected in the 17th round of the 1971 draft by the San Diego Chargers but played two seasons (1971-72) with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL.
“I was taught to never give up, to avoid sports-enhancing drugs, to make no excuses, and finally realized that God had given me the strength to break through the barriers to victory in life,” Kell said.
He was an active member of the Vernell Church where he served as Pastor Stephen, as a member of the security team and as a faithful member of the Romeo Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis and Lydia Kell, and brother-in-law, Tim Canup.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Ann Kell, a son and his daughter-in-law, Dustin and Jennifer Kell of Canton, daughters and son-in-law, Annie and Levi Worley of Villanow, Abby Schluter of Melbourne Beach, Fla., sister Holly Kanup of Dalton, grandchildren, Katherine Kell, Kaden Kell, Kendyl Kell, Hank Worley and Lincoln Schluter, nieces and nephews, Susie and Hunter Crews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.
The funeral will take place at 12pm on Saturday from Varnell Church with the Rev Chris Branscomb and the Rev Stephen Street officiating. Mr Kell will lie in state in the church from 11am until the funeral at noon.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday at the funeral home, with burial to follow in Varnell Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Julian Peoples Funeral Home, Dalton.
