Harry Kessel
American football official (1925–1972)
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Harry Roger Kessel (September 22, 1925 – October 9, 1972) was an American football official in the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL) for a combined ten years. He was a head linesman (HL), and wore uniform number 34 in the AFL, and 73 in the NFL.[1][2]
Parkersburg, West Virginia, US
Athens, Ohio, US
| No. 73, 34 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Head linesman |
| Personal information | |
| Born | September 22, 1925 Parkersburg, West Virginia, US |
| Died | October 9, 1972 (aged 47) Athens, Ohio, US |
| Career information | |
| College | Ohio |
| Career history | |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
| Other information | |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Conflicts | World War II |
Career
Kessel made his officiating debut during the 1963 American Football League season.[2] He was a head linesman for the 1964 season and continued in that role for the rest of his career, occasionally filling in as an umpire or a line judge.[3][1] He was selected as an alternate line judge for Super Bowl I in 1967.[4]
At the conclusion of the AFL–NFL merger, Kessel was part of the officiating staff for the 1970 NFL season. He worked Super Bowl IV as HL the previous postseason.[5] He worked one more full season before his death less than a month into the 1972 season.[3]
Personal life
Harry Kessel was born September 22, 1925 in Parkersburg, West Virginia.[3] His father’s name was Herman Kessel. Harry moved to Athens, Ohio, to attend Ohio University, and served with the United States Navy during World War II before his career as a professional football official. He also worked for the Ohio State Auditor, and officiated high school football and basketball.[6]
Kessel was married, and had a son. He died on October 9, 1972, in Athens, at age 47.[6]