Beloved Football Chaplain Dies in Freak Boating Accident

A legendary Alabama football chaplain perished in a freak accident over the weekend, AL.com reported.

Chette L. Williams, who served as Auburn University’s football chaplain for the past 26 years, died on Sunday night on his way to meet a friend for dinner. The 61-year-old arrived at Kowaliga’s Restaurant, located just off Lake Martin, around 5:45 p.m. on a 2005 Bennington 2575 RFS pontoon boat. After realizing the restaurant was closed, Williams went to step back onto his boat but tragically plunged into the water. Williams’ friend, who has not been publicly identified, tried to pull him from the water but was unable to do so before he disappeared beneath the surface.

Following a brief search and rescue operation, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency confirmed that Williams’ body was extracted from the water around 7:19 p.m., at which time he was pronounced dead.

Williams began his career at Auburn, playing as a linebacker for the Tigers from 1982 until 1984 while also serving as the team’s chaplain and the campus director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In 1999, Williams returned to Auburn when then-coach Tommy Tuberville (now a U.S. Senator) reinstated him as the team’s chaplain.

“Thank you, Brother Chette, for this beautiful pregame tradition and most importantly, for everything you’ve done for the Auburn program,” the Tigers wrote on X (formerly Twitter) alongside a video of Williams leading the team in prayer. “Your guidance, friendship, and love will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace.”

Thank you, Brother Chette, for this beautiful pregame tradition…and most importantly, for everything you’ve done for the Auburn program. Your guidance, friendship, and love will never be forgotten. ????

May you rest in peace. ????️???? pic.twitter.com/WzK5oRBRoE

— Auburn Tigers | AL.com (@aldotcomTigers) December 16, 2024