Former Tennessee offensive lineman Chip Kell didn't have to knock anybody down to get into the College Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday evening.

At the 49th annual awards dinner in the Grand Ballroom at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City, Kell was inducted along with 12 other former players.

A two-time All-American during his playing days in 1968-70, Kelly became the 21st former Vol to enter the Hall of Fame.

Kell was remembered as perhaps the strongest Vol of his era.

"Chip Kell was one of the most powerful athletes I ever coached," then UT coach Doug Dickey said when the honor was announced several months ago. "He was way ahead of his time in development by use of weight training, and he became a true leader on the football team."

At a press conference Tuesday, he was ready to share the honor.

"The two words in reflecting on my football career are trust and dependability," Kell said. "You develop a great respect for those who bleed and sweat out there every day with you in football ... I am flattered and honored and proud to be accepting this honor on behalf of my teammates and the University of Tennessee."