| Hugh Whelchel | |
| Class: | Graduate |
| Birth Date: | 20 July 1900 |
| Birth Place: | Dahlonega, Georgia, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Sanford, Florida, U.S. |
| Currentposition: | Guard |
| Currentnumber: | 45 |
| Weight Lbs: | 200 |
| School: | Georgia Bulldogs |
| Pastschools: | Georgia (1919 - 1922) |
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Hugh Calvin "Puss" Whelchel (July 20, 1900 – April 1, 1968) was an American college football player.
Hugh was born on July 20, 1900, in Dahlonega, Georgia, to Henry Cowan Whelchel and Clara Annabel Moore. Hugh was a first cousin of Georgia Tech football player Dan Whelchel.
He was a prominent guard for the Georgia Bulldogs of the University of Georgia from 1919 to 1922. He was said to have blocked 19 kicks in his college football career.[1] Whelchel was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.[2] He was nominated though not selected for an Associated Press All-Time Southeast 1869-1919 era team.[3]
His kick blocking featured in the 21 - 14 victory over Alabama in 1920.[4] Buck Cheves returned the block 87 yards for a touchdown and the win,[5] ranked fourth in The 50 Greatest Plays In Georgia Bulldogs Football History.[6] Georgia was 8 - 0 - 1 and SIAA champions in 1920, as well as the first team known as the "Bulldogs."
He was selected as a third-team All-American by Walter Camp in 1921.
Whelchel was unanimously elected captain of the 1922 team.[7] Camp gave him honorable mention.[8]