Former Chiefs All-Pro Lineman Will Shields is a Finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Former Kansas City Chiefs guard Will Shields will enter New York City’s Radio Music Hall on Saturday as a finalist for the 2014 Class to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. If there’s any justice in the world, when this year’s class is announced, his name will be on that list.

Will Shields is more than just a fixture in Kansas City Chiefs lore, but has a place in the NFL record books as well. He is no stranger to Chiefs fans young and old, as he started in a franchise-record 223 games for the Chiefs from his rookie year in 1993 until 2006.

Drafted out of Nebraska by the Chiefs with the 74th overall pick, nobody quite knew what they had in Shields. In 1995 they started to figure it out, though, as Shields led the way on the Chiefs offensive line, blocking for the team that led the league in rushing with 2,222 yards on the season. Ten years later, and with a different group of supporting linemen, he blocked running back Larry Johnson to a 1,750 yard rushing season which was the second highest in franchise history.

Among his many accolades, Shields’ 12 consecutive Pro Bowls is tied for the most ever by a player in NFL history. In 2003, Shields was awarded the prestigious “Walter Payton Man of the Year” award recognizing his outstanding charity work. Two years later, Shields was named “Philanthropist of the Year.”

The Chiefs haven’t had a player like Shields since he played and while he’s remembered fondly, he’s missed dearly. We here at AA wish Mr. Shields the best of luck!