Mountain Empire Football Hall of fame
Inducted 2024
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Cecil Puckett
Cecil Puckett was regarded as one of the best and most versatile athletes to ever attend Dobyns-Bennett. He was named as the team co-captain, and earned All-State and All-Southern honors and lead his 1945 team to the State Championship. In addition to football, Puckett was captain and high scorer on his championship basketball team and was voted Outstanding Player at State Basketball Tournament with 53 points in three games. Puckett attended East Tennessee State University and University of Mississippi where he continued to excel in football. He became an All-Time Letterwinner at ETSU in 1951. After college, Puckett proudly served in the United States Army for two years at Fort Jackson, SC. Following his military service, Puckett became the football, basketball and baseball coach at Tennessee High School in Bristol, TN for two years, then went on to work at Ross N Robinson Middle School in Kingsport, TN for 14 years as Head Football Coach and Assistant Principal. Puckett then completed his coaching career as Backfield Coach at Dobyns-Bennett. Puckett had a strong Christian faith and was known as a superb role model for players and students, and he demonstrated grace, thoughtfulness and compassion. In 1983, Puckett received the Kingsport Times-News Award for "Distinguished Service to Others and to the Community." In 1985 he received the Outstanding Educator Award which is presented by the Superintendent of Schools and Board of Education. In 1985 the Mayor of Kingsport proclaimed October 18 as Cecil Puckett Day! |