John Graham was born on February 27, 1895, in Martin, Tennessee, to John A. Vowell and Emma Floyd Wilson.
University of Tennessee
1914
Vowell played mostly at end and was a member of the 1914SIAA champion Vols; the program's first championship of any kind. He scored three touchdowns in that season's final game against Kentucky.[1][4]
1916
Vowell scored the winning touchdown in the victory over Vanderbilt in 1916 immediately dubbed the upset of the season.[5] He was selected All-Southern in 1916,[6] a year in which he was captain and helped lead the Volunteers to an 8–0–1 record and a share of the SIAA championship. Walter Camp placed Vowell on his All-America third-team. His older brother Morris Vowell was a tackle on some of the same teams. Graham and his family worked in the lumber business.[7]
1921
Vowell came back in 1921, and was given a gold watch by Knoxville fans.[8]