Remembering Star Athlete & Successful Business Owner Carrel Daniel

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Florence, Ala. – Born on September 2, 1935 in Limestone County, Alabama, to Walter Guy and Evelyn Hillis Daniel, Carrel Daniel was an outstanding athlete at Athens High School where he played football, baseball, and ran track.  A 1954 graduate of Athens High School, Daniel was recruited by Alabama Head Football Coach Harold Drew and committed to playing for the Crimson Tide.  Shortly into Daniel’s playing career at Alabama, J.B. ‘Ears’ Whitworth took over the program.  Under Coach Whitworth, times were difficult.  With the coaching situation at Alabama, Daniel, along with many other players, chose to transfer. In 1955, just one year after Harlon Hill was drafted to the Chicago Bears from Florence State, Daniel joined the Florence State (UNA) football program.  At Florence State, he would play under legendary football coach Hal Self.  His senior year, Daniel was selected captain of the football team.  In 1958, Daniel graduated from UNA with a degree in Business Administration.  For 35 years, he was the owner of the famous Dale’s Restaurant which was located in Florence, Alabama. In 2014, Daniel’s was honored by being inducted into the Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame. During his induction, several friends and teammates had praise for Daniel and his playing career.  One of those was fellow Athens High School teammate and Alabama football player, Baxter Booth.  Booth said of Daniel,  “He was about 180 pounds, which was pretty good size back then for a running back. He could tackle, block; really do it all. We had some good teams back then and he was a big reason.”  Another fellow teammate, David Martin, said, “Not only was he a good player and get a yard every time you needed it, but he was an even better person.”  On Friday, December 16th, Daniel passed away at his residence.  According to  Elkins Funeral Home, a celebration of Mr. Daniel’s life will be announced at a later date.  Daniel was a booster/supporter of the UNA Lions throughout the years until his recent retirement, illness, and death.
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