Former Tennessee tackle Phil Clabo has died at age 73. He lived in retirement at Mount Airy, North Carolina.
Clabo was part of a famous Knoxville football family. His father, John, was coach at Powell and Young high schools. His son, Tyson, played at Farragut High, Wake Forest and 132 games in the NFL. Cousin Neil played at Farragut and punted for the Vols and the Minnesota Vikings. The football field at Farragut is named for his uncle Bill, a former coach.
Phil Clabo played football for Tennessee in 1972-1975. He became a property manager for Clayton Homes. He was a member of Sand Branch Methodist Church in Knoxville.
He is survived by sons Tyson and Clark and sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Mike Underwood. Obituary here.
A private graveside service will be held at Oakdale Cemetery in Mount Airy and a memorial service will be held in Knoxville at a later date.
Mr. Clabo wanted, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to go to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, 2700 Horizon Drive, Suite 120, King of Prussia, PA 19406.
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I grew up in Knoxville at the same time as Phil and also had a dad who was a Knoxville hs coach. That was back in the day when families more often than not took Sunday afternoon car rides to visit something or somebody. Visiting John Clabo and his family was one of the rotating destinations on my mom and dad’s list. So Phil and I would get out in their yard and throw footballs, play, etc. Even at those ages he was already the size of a college tackle. Fall of ’70 there was an article in KNS about 3 local hs players who were all playing for dad coaches, me, Phil and Neil, had our pictures in paper, etc. I never knew Neil that well, but due to those Sunday visits I knew Phil. But I went to play college out of town, Phil of course got the opportunity to be a VFL as did Neil, but I never moved back to Knoxville after that, so we lost contact. But I’ll always remember playing with Phil on those Sunday afternoons as a kid. Phil had a great career and evidently mentored a great family. RIP Phil, you were a great guy.
Thank you for your personal reflection.
Nice story about getting to know Phil… I/m from Clinton, and had a similar experience going to visit a childhood friend on Sunday afternoon visits. Those were the good old days. RIP Phil…!
Thanks for catching up with Marvin West at Knox TN Today. We appreciate your comment.
I don’t remember Phil, but I do remember the Iconic Clabo name in Tennessee. May Phil Clabo be in the presence of his creator on this day..
Yes, always heard the Clabo name connected to Tennessee.