When you think of Auburn football, you probably think of the Iron Bowl, Bo Jackson, or the "Kick Six." But if you ask anyone who actually wore the blue and orange over the last quarter-century, they won’t start with a play on the field. They’ll talk about a man they called "Brother Chette."
Rev. Chette L. Williams wasn’t just a guy who said a quick prayer before kickoff. He was the heartbeat of the program. Honestly, it’s hard to overstate how much he meant to the Plains. When news broke in late 2024 that he’d passed away in a tragic accident at Lake Martin, the shockwave didn’t just hit Auburn, Alabama—it hit the entire world of college sports.
He was 61. A life cut way too short, especially for someone who seemed to have an infinite supply of energy for other people.
The Rock Bottom That Changed Everything
Most people know Chette as the polished, wise chaplain. But he didn’t start out that way. Back in the early 80s, he was a linebacker for Coach Pat Dye. He was talented, sure, but he was also a self-described "mess."
Basically, he played hard and partied harder.
In 1982, Coach Dye had enough. He kicked Chette off the team. For a college athlete, that’s the end of the world. It’s the ultimate "rock bottom." Chette went back to his room, and instead of spiraling further, he had a conversation with his teammate, Kyle Collins. Collins didn’t give him a pep talk; he read him the Bible.
That night, Chette Williams made a choice that redefined the next 40 years of his life. He didn’t just "get religious." He changed. He went back to Coach Dye’s office the next morning and told him he was a different man. Dye, known for being tough as nails, gave him a second chance.
"Let's just take it one day at a time," Dye told him.
That phrase became the mantra for Chette’s entire ministry. He graduated in 1985, went to seminary, and eventually, the prodigal son returned to the Plains in 1999.
More Than a "Football Guy"
When Tommy Tuberville hired him as the first full-time chaplain for the Tigers, there wasn’t exactly a handbook for the job. Chette had to build it from scratch. He wasn't just there for the stars; he was there for the walk-ons, the trainers, and the guys who would never see a Saturday snap.
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You’ve probably heard of the "Hard Fighting Soldiers." That was Chette’s brainchild in 2004. It wasn't just a catchy slogan for a winning season. It was about character. It was about being a man of integrity when the lights were off.
Why the "Brother Chette" Model Worked
- Presence over Programs: He didn't just stay in an office. He was at every practice. Every. Single. One. If it was 100 degrees in August, Chette was there sweating with them.
- The "Run to Tragedy" Mentality: His colleagues often said Chette would "run toward fire." If a player’s grandmother died or a coach was going through a divorce, he was the first phone call.
- Radical Transparency: He never hid his past. He told every incoming freshman about getting kicked off the team. That made him "real" to kids who were struggling with their own mistakes.
The Ripple Effect (It’s Massive)
If you look at the coaching ranks and chaplaincy programs across the country today, you’ll see Chette’s fingerprints everywhere. He didn't just mentor players; he "multiplied" them.
Take Mike Blanc, for example. He was a defensive lineman at Auburn who saw what Chette did and thought, I want to do that. Blanc went on to be the chaplain at the University of Miami for years before recently returning to Auburn to follow in his mentor's footsteps. Then there’s RaShan Frost at The Citadel and Wayne Dickens at Western Kentucky.
They all call themselves "the Chette" of their respective schools.
It’s a legacy that survives the man. Even the critics—and there were some, mostly groups like the Freedom From Religion Foundation who questioned a chaplain's role at a state school—couldn't deny the personal impact he had. The Auburn family always stood by him because they saw the fruit: better men, not just better players.
The Lake Martin Tragedy
The details of his passing in December 2024 are still heavy for the community. He fell into the water while getting off his pontoon boat near Kowaliga’s Restaurant. It was a freak accident. One minute he was there, the next, a pillar of the community was gone.
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But here’s the thing about a guy like Chette: he wrote the ending of his story long before that night. He authored books like Hard Fighting Soldier and The Broken Road, essentially leaving a roadmap for how to handle the exact kind of grief his friends and family are feeling now.
What We Can Learn from the "Brother Chette" Way
If you want to apply a bit of Chette’s wisdom to your own life, it’s not about being a football star or even a preacher. It’s about these specific moves:
- Own your mess. Don't hide your failures. Use them as the bridge to connect with others who are struggling.
- Be present. You can't influence people from a distance. You have to be "on the field" with them.
- One day at a time. It’s a cliché for a reason. Don't worry about the 26th season when you're still in the first week.
- Invest in people, not projects. Buildings and trophies gather dust. People carry your message forward.
Chette Williams showed us that a second chance isn't just a "do-over"—it’s an opportunity to build something that lasts forever. Whether you're an Auburn fan or not, that's a legacy worth respecting.
Next Steps for You:
To truly understand the culture Chette built, read his book "Hard Fighting Soldier". It gives a raw look at the 2004 undefeated season from a perspective you won't find in any sports almanac. If you're local to the Auburn area, consider supporting the Auburn FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), the organization Chette led for decades, which continues his work with student-athletes today.