Austin Denney
Austin Denney
A memorial service will be held Saturday for former Tennessee All-America tight end Austin Denney who died Tuesday in Knoxville after a brief illness.
Denney, 65, earned All-America honors in 1966 after hauling in a school-record seven touchdown passes and making 21 receptions for 264 yards. He had 35 catches for 470 yards during his career.
“When I arrived at UT in the spring of 1966 as receivers coach, Austin was the first player to introduce himself to me and welcome me to the team,” said former UT coach Bill Battle in a release from the UT sports information office Thursday. “He was a great player at UT and combined excellent size, speed and physical ability with positive attitude and leadership. He was truly a pleasure to coach. My heart goes out to Austin’s family and friends in his passing.”
The Nashville native, and Donelson High School product, played three years with the Chicago Bears and one with the Buffalo Bills. His best season was 1968 when he caught 23 passes for 247 yards.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, the former Margaret Petty, who was Miss Tennessee in 1962, his daughter, Meg Sinclair of Indianapolis; son, Austin Denney III and his wife, Tina; sister and brother-in-law, Marine and Hernando Ortega; sister, Naomi Finley; and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The family is receiving friends 1-3 p.m. Saturday at Mountain View United Methodist Church, followed by a memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mountain View United Methodist Church, 3200 Maryville Pike, Knoxville, TN 37920. Arrangements are by Berry Funeral Home on Chapman Highway.
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Comments » 30
ALL_VOL75 writes:
Rest In Peace
Down_The_Field writes:
We'll miss you, Austin.
My condolences, sympathies, and prayers to the Denny family.
Like the way "workinlikehek" said it and if you don't mind, I'll say it again....great man...great VOL....rest in peace.
tnbigg writes:
A great man...he gave his all for Tennessee...every day...every way...a tribute to the Spirit of true Tennessee football...he will be missed...God Bless his family and may Austin rest in peace.
798orange writes:
Some of my first memories of UT football were in the era that he played. I recall he and Johnny Mills making some amazing one-handed catches. My sympathies go out to his family.
feathersax writes:
A big tight end who really made an impact in the Vols transition from single wing to I-formation. Not only a great player, but a fine man. God bless his family.
blitzshoot writes:
You left a great mark on this planet. Heaven waits.
Thanks and God Bless!
jowebb15#441937 writes:
I meet him while he helped with us looking to build a house. He was really nice, patient, and friendly. He will be missed. I will be praying for the family.
orangebloodgmc writes:
I remember when our receivers were Austin Denney, Johnny Mills and Richmond Flowers. You were assured there was gonna be somebody there who could make a play.
orangebloodgmc writes:
(why didn't it take my comment? what I wrote was ...)
I remember when our receivers were Austin Denney, Johnny Mills and Richmond Flowers. You could be assured that we had guys in the game who were playmakers when you needed one.
TommyJack writes:
Remember him well...was a couple of years ahead of me. Good player. RIP
jobrando#216494 writes:
Watched him play through high school but missed him in college because of Vietnam. RIP
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Denny was on the Vol team coached by Doug Dickey shortly after his arrival as Vol head coach...it signaled the start of the Vols return to the nation's elite...Good message from Bill Battle...thanks Bill. Its always tough to see a Vol pass on ..but the day does come for us all. Lo0ve to his family and we won't forget. So long, Denny.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
RIP, good Vol. Played at a time when only women wore ear rings.
blitzshoot writes:
:)
TommyJack writes:
And only sailors had cheesy tats.
CHS52VOL writes:
Deepest sympathies to Austin Denney's family. Dedicated Football player and an even better citizen. Rest in peace in the arms of God. See you in the new Jerusalem.
richvol writes:
I'll never forget Denny on the drive down the field with a minute left against Alabama at Neyland. He and Mills made catches that were spectacular in that drive to the two yard line. With a second or two left our kicker missed the chip shot field goal to lose 10 to 9 if my memory is correct on the score. It was devastating to everyone as Tennessee had outplayed Alabama all day yet lost.
He was the first big receiver I remember at Tennessee and he had great hands. Years later I had the opportunity to meet him one day and I recall looking at those big hands of his and thinking what a great player he was in a special era of UT football. He impressed me with his personality and kindness as well. My prayers go out to his family.
rockytopatl writes:
Nobody's mentioned that it was Dewey Warren, the Swamp Rat, the first great modern Vol passer, who was slinging them to Denny and Johnny Mills. It was amazing that season, the first or second in my memory, how many touchdowns Austin scored. Denny was the first UT tight end who made his mark as a receiver, and he was probably still the best ever until Jason Witten came along.
Thank you, Austin Denny of the Volunteers!
txsvol#372416 writes:
I listened to that game on AFN radio. The Swamp Rat to Austin Denney for a TD, followed by a Gary Wright field goal put us up 10-0. In the fourth quarter, Kenny (the Snake) Stabler led a scoring drive and they went for 2, and then they scored again with 3-4 minutes remaining. The Swamp Rat engineered a heroic drive to the 3, but Wright's field goal attempt (which I was sure would be good) went wide, with only a few seconds left on the clock. That miss led from high excitement and the expectation of beating Bama and the Bear to total devastation and disappointment! That was the closest the Bear's first post-Namath team came to defeat in that 1966 season. #84 played like the All-American he was in that game. May he rest in peace, as he goes into the Orange Sunset of life, into a glorious resurrection! My condolences go out to his family! SAVol
TommyJack writes:
I sat in a cold, steady rain for that game. I still say Gary Wright's kick was good.
jmkirk1#215641 writes:
I worked in Gibbs Hall as waiter in the dining hall from 1966 to 1970 and have fond memories of that phase of my life. Austin Denny was a Senior in 1966 and I remember him as a down to earth dedicated young man who was proud to be a Tennessee Volunteer (unlike the spoiled brats who play college football today). I can still see him catch that football and run it into field goal range that day against Bama. I believe our fullback (not Pickens, but the other fullback on the team whose name escapes me) ran it to the 2 or 3 yard line. We called time out and everyone knew that Gary Wright would make the field goal which was barely wide right.
Austin Denny, Bob Johnson, Dewey Warren, Charlie Fulton ond company are what Tennessee Football is all about. Dedication and Pride
My prayers go out to the family of Austin Denny, a true Tennessee Volunteer
TommyJack writes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ng3KZ...
Look at this, JM. I think the FB was Stan Mitchell. You can't tell from this, but it rained like 'ell all day.
mattingly writes:
The fullback, No. 31, was actually Bob Mauriello. Stan Mitchell finished his Vol career in 1965.
snoopbob87 writes:
Great memories from all those who contributed to the story of Austin Denny. He was one of my favorite players. The UT radio announcer was very good at describing Denny and all the exciting plays made by the Vols in those days. In my mind I can still hear the excited calls of this catches and how the fans reaction could be heard over the radio. I miss those days.
txsvol#372416 writes:
Glad you were there. If I remember correctly, following AFN news, "Moscow Rose" came on shortly after the game. I didn't know which to hate more, her or Alabama. My loyalties were conflicted until that game, (although my family had UT season tickets during the single wing era) as my mother was from Alabama, and I was happy that a team from her state could be led to a National Championship by a QB Pat Trammell) from her home town. But there in the BOQ, I became very aware that I am a Tennessee Vol, first and foremost! It just took losing the tough one to show where my true loyalties were! Go Vols! SAVol
TommyJack writes:
Interesting post, Doc.
Sovol writes:
My brother was at the game and sat right behind the goal post. He swears to this day that the kick was good and the refs blew it.
kbart4033#247331 writes:
Great guy. Great athlete. Was go-to-guy on the Garrett Gunners
hoop squad that dominated UT intramurals and Knox city league.
TommyJack writes:
I concur. There was no home cookin that day.
Sovol writes:
I'll let you tell him that to his face if you've got the nerve.
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