Abell was born in Kansas City, Missouri and attended Southeast High School.
On September 2, the Chiefs claimed rookie Chuck Hurston, placing Abell on the injury deferred list to make room for him.
In 1966, he participated in his first regular season as a part of the team that won the AFL Championship and that played in Super Bowl I.
In 1968, he returned to a reserve role after he was passed on the depth chart by rookie Jim Lynch.
On August 25, 1969, he was traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a conditional draft choice (not exercised).