A former Tennessee football legend, an All-American offensive lineman, recently died. Per a report by Knox Today, Curtis “Chip” Kell died at 75 of “pneumonia and other complications.”
Chip Kell was a force on the Tennessee football team
According to the article, Kell was a significant player in the SEC. His exploits with the Volunteers earned him a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame:
In 1968, Kell was an all-Southeastern Conference center as a sophomore, and as a junior and senior, he emerged as an all-American guard. As the best blocker in the SEC, he was awarded the Jacobs Trophy twice. In 2006, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
On the University of Tennessee website, it is stated that during the 1970 season, Kell assisted his offensive line in setting a record by blocking 2,365 yards. In addition to being a standout football player, Kell won the Tennessee shot put competition three times.
The San Diego Chargers drafted Kell
Kell had a great deal of success with Tennessee. He would later join the San Diego Chargers as an NFL player. As stated by Knox Today:
Kell spent three seasons leading Tennessee to a 26-5 record. The 1970 squad went 11-1, won the Sugar Bowl against Air Force, and came in fourth in the AP poll.
He was selected by San Diego in the 17th round. He started out making $17,000. He relocated to the Canadian League and joined the Edmonton Eskimos. He had a serious knee injury in his second season.
Kell attended Avondale High School and received a Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame induction.
