SAD NEWS: Vol Nation mourns the passing of All-American lineman Chip Kell.
On May 25, 2024, in Cohutta, Georgia, at the age of 75, Chip Kell, a three-time All-SEC selection and two-time consensus All-American during his playing days at Tennessee (1968–1970), fell asleep.
After being chosen for the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006, Kell became the 21st Vol to receive this honor.
After graduating from Avondale High School in Decatur, Georgia, Kell joined the Vols in the 1966–1967 recruiting class. His transition from center to guard in 1969 didn’t slow him down; he was a sophomore in 1968. His teams finished 8-2-1 in 1968, 9-2 and won the SEC championship in 1969, and 11-1 and finished No. 4 in 1970.
Only a 17-17 stalemate against Georgia in the 1968 season opener marred the unbeaten record he and his senior classmates held on Shields-Watkins Field during his Tennessee varsity tenure. By winning the 1971 Sugar Bowl 34–13 over Air Force, Kell and his Vols teammates concluded their careers on a winning streak of 10 games and an overall record of 28–5-1.
Throughout his senior year, Kell led the Birmingham Quarterback Club in SEC offensive linemanship and was twice awarded the Jacobs Memorial Award as the greatest blocker in the SEC. The Senior Bowl of 1971 saw him participate as well. Following Kentucky’s 1970 match, he was voted national lineman of the week.
For the Tennessee track team, Kell was a standout shot putter and two-sport player for the Vols. In addition to the 1968 Indoor title, he won the 1969 SEC Indoor and Outdoor titles. He finished his career with a 58-7 score, which was the school record in the shot.