Will Shields - Biography

Will Shields, former right guard, played his entire career (1993-2006) with the Kansas City Chiefs. He started all but one game (his first regular season outing as a rookie) in his illustrious 14-year NFL career, totaling 230 consecutive starts. With 12 Pro Bowl appearances, a Chiefs team record, Shields was arguably the finest player at his position and was regarded by many as the NFL's top offensive lineman. He is widely considered a first-ballot hall-of-famer, once he becomes eligible.

 

Graduating from the University of Nebraska, Shields was selected in the third round (74th overall) of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He was the mainstay in the Chiefs' lineup since his initial NFL start against the Houston Oilers on September 12, 1993, giving him the longest active streak of any Chiefs player, and the second longest consecutive starting streak in the NFL behind Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers.

 

Shields, a mild-mannered, humble performer, anchored the Chiefs offensive line that consistently led the team to a top five finish in rushing offense. He was an instinctive performer who could out-smart, out-maneuver, or simply overpower opponents.

 

Shields was an asset both on the field and in the Kansas City community. Even with his highly decorated tenure, he was a true team player who put the good of the whole team ahead of his own personal gain. Shields was one of the team's most active players in the Kansas City community, participating in numerous charitable projects, and he was the recipient of the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2003 for his ongoing work in the Will to Succeed Foundation, the charitable organization he started in 1993.

 

On April 15, 2007, following 14 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, Shields announced his retirement from football.

 

NFL Career Stats

Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Position: Guard
Height: 6-3
Weight: 315
Years experience: 14
Birth date: September 15, 1971
Hometown: Lawton, OK
College: Nebraska
Current status: Retired
Games started: 223
Games played: 224