Graham Vowell


John Graham Vowell was an American football player for the Tennessee Volunteers, of the University of Tennessee. He was the school's first All-American. Vowell was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame for 2017.

Early years

John Graham was born on February 27, 1895 in Martin, Tennessee to John A. Vowell and Emma Floyd Wilson.

University of Tennessee

1914

Vowell played mostly at end and was a member of the 1914 SIAA champion Vols; the program's first championship of any kind. He scored three touchdowns in that season's final game against Kentucky.

1916

Vowell scored the winning touchdown in the victory over Vanderbilt in 1916 immediately dubbed the upset of the season. He was selected All-Southern in 1916, a year in which he was captain and helped lead the Volunteers to an 8–0–1 record and a share of the SIAA championship. Walter Camp placed Vowell on his All-America third-team. His older brother Morris Vowell was a tackle on some of the same teams. Graham and his family worked in the lumber business.

1921

Vowell came back in 1921, and was given a gold watch by Knoxville fans.

Florida

He retired to Florida in 1954.