Tennessee mourns passing of Lee North, 2-time All-SEC OL
The Tennessee Volunteers’ community is mourning the loss of one of their own on Sunday. Former center Lee North passed away at the age of 63.
“We mourn the passing of two-time All-SEC center Lee North. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and teammates,” the school said in a statement. Per the obituary, North was “surrounded by his beloved wife of 34 years, Robin Leonard North, and their cherished sons, Evan and Alec.”
We mourn the passing of two-time All-SEC center Lee North. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and teammates. pic.twitter.com/XdbuQOLyu0
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) December 31, 2023
North starred for Shamrock High School in Georgia. The interior offensive lineman then had a successsful career in Knoxville with the Vols.
North was a two-time All-SEC center for the Vols and was a captain on the 1981 squad. During his senior season in Knoxville, North was named the team’s most outstanding lineman, and also won the Mickey O’Brian Award. North played for the legendary coach Johnny Majors and won 2 bowl games with the Vols.
The lineman had a brief career in the USFL, playing for the Tampa Bay Bandits from 1984-85. After the brief playing career, North returned to the Knoxville area where he lived out his days.