WILL SHIELDS #68

Position	Guard
Height	6-3
Weight	320
Years Experience	15
Birthdate	9/15/1971
Hometown	Lawton, OK
College	Nebraska
Current status	Reserve - Retired
Games Started	223
Games Played	224

Pro Career

One of the finest players in the illustrious history of the Chiefs franchise and one of the all-time elite performers at his position in NFL annals announced his retirement from professional football on April 15, 2007 … Ironman right guard should certainly receive strong consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame once he becomes eligible in five years … Will undoubtedly have his name someday affixed to the facade of Arrowhead Stadium as a member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame … Established a franchise-record streak of 12 consecutive Pro Bowl berths, the most Pro Bowl appearances by any player in Kansas City history and a total that ties G Randall McDaniel for the most Pro Bowl invitations in NFL history … Clearly one of the all-time greats in Chiefs lore, not just for his consistently high level of performance on the field, but also for the personal commitment he and his family made to the Kansas City community … Was unquestionably a cornerstone upon which much of the Chiefs success was built after he joined the club as an unheralded third-round draft choice in ‘93 … Was the longest-tenured player on the Kansas City roster in 2006, owning four more years of service with the club than his next-closest competitor, TE Tony Gonzalez, who joined the team in ‘97 … Played in a franchise-record 224 consecutive regular season games dating back to the first game of his rookie campaign in ‘93 … His 224 games played are the most games of service any individual has given to the franchise … His 223 career starts also rank as the highest total in team history … At the time of his retirement, only Green Bay QB Brett Favre (237) had a longer active starting streak than Shields’ string of 223 straight games dating back to the second contest of the ‘93 campaign at Houston (9/12/93) ... Was one of only four players since the AFL-NFL merger to own a streak of 200 or more consecutive starts, joining Favre (237), OL Bruce Matthews (229), and G Randall McDaniel (202) ... Of the nine modern-era guards in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, no one has played in more career games at the guard position than Shields. Other members of that distinguished HOF guard group include: Gene Upshaw (217 games), Gene Hickerson (202), Joe DeLamielleure (185), Tom Mack (184), John Hannah (183), Larry Little (183), Bruce Matthews (166 at guard, 290 total), Mike Munchak (159) and Billy Shaw (119) ... Saw his initial NFL duty at Tampa Bay (9/5/93), a game that also marked the debuts of Pro Football Hall of Famers QB Joe Montana and RB Marcus Allen in Kansas City uniforms … Was a mainstay in the Kansas City lineup since his initial NFL start a week later at Houston (9/12/93) ... Along with Chiefs Hall of Famer Ed Budde was the only other guard in team history to merit multiple Pro Bowl invitations. Budde was honored as an AFL All-Star or AFC Pro Bowler seven times (’64, ‘67-72) ... Was named the 2003 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, the most prestigious accolade that can be bestowed upon an active player … Received that honor from Commissioner Paul Tagliabue prior to Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Texas on January 30, 2004 … Became the fourth player in Kansas City history to earn the Man of the Year trophy, joining the illustrious likes of Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinees LB Willie Lanier (’72) and QB Len Dawson (’73), as well as the late nine-time Pro Bowl LB Derrick Thomas (’93) ... Only the Chicago Bears boast as many Man of the Year winners as the Chiefs … Mild-mannered performer spoke volumes with his consistently high level of play … Was a key reason Kansas City led the NFL in total offense in 2004 and 2005 … Helped pave the way for five of the six-best single-season rushing performances in franchise history, all of which occurred over the past six seasons courtesy of RBs Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson … Protected four Chiefs starting QBs who earned a Pro Bowl berth with the franchise: Trent Green (2003, 2005), Elvis Grbac (2000), Steve Bono (’99) and Montana (’93) ... Was a key reason that Green compiled a franchise-record streak of 81 consecutive starts from 2001-06 … Was a major factor in helping the Chiefs register more net yards of total offense (380.9 per game) from 2001-05 than any other team in the league … An instinctive performer who could out-smart, out-maneuver or simply overpower opponents and was endowed with an innate ability to decipher the best means of attacking each particular adversary … Was equally effective in the trenches or the open field and was particularly adept as a lead blocker on plays which require a pulling guard … Truly gifted performer made his name at right guard, but saw action in three games at tackle for the club, including a start at left tackle vs. Carolina (12/10/00) ... During his 223-game starting streak, started alongside 10 different left tackles, 10 different left guards, four different centers and 13 different right tackles … Was a member of the Chiefs “40 Years in Kansas City 40-Man Squad” in 2002 and joined Thomas as the only other active player who was named to the Chiefs 40th Anniversary Team in ‘99 … Despite his highly-decorated status, was a true team player who put the good of the whole ahead of his own personal gain … Considered one of the most valuable performers on the Kansas City roster year in and year out … Was a guiding influence in the development of three-time Pro Bowl G Brian Waters, who entered the NFL as a rookie free agent in ‘99 and joined the Chiefs in 2000 … For eight seasons was the junior member of the offensive line “Law Firm” which was referred to in the Arrowhead locker room as the single entity of Szott, Grunhard and Shields. That interior line triumvirate is widely regarded as one of the finest in the illustrious history of the franchise. Started 125 contests alongside Grunhard, the highest total of any teammate during his career … Was Kansas City’s first pick in the ‘93 NFL Draft, going in the third round (74th overall) ... Arguably the steal of that year’s annual selection meeting after being the 11th offensive lineman chosen.

Transactions: Signed a six-year contract with Kansas City (3/1/01) ... Signed a one-year tender as Kansas City’s franchise player (8/2/00) ... Designated as Kansas City’s franchise player (2/10/00) ... Signed a six-year contract with Kansas City (2/16/96) ... Signed three one-year contracts with Kansas City (5/3/93) ... Was Kansas City’s top pick in the ‘93 NFL Draft, entering the league as a third-round (74th overall) selection.

Additional Stats: Had one reception for four yards vs. Seattle (10/4/98).

Streaks and Milestones: Has started 223 consecutive games dating back to a contest at Houston (9/12/93), the longest streak in team history since ‘68. Owns the second-longest starting streak among active NFL players behind QB Brett Favre (237). His 223 total starts are the highest total in team history since ‘68. Has appeared in 224 straight games, the longest streak in team history. His 224 games played are first in team history.

Games Played/Games Started: 1993 (16/15), 1994 (16/16), 1995 (16/16), 1996 (16/16), 1997 (16/16), 1998 (16/16), 1999 (16/16), 2000 (16/16), 2001 (16/16), 2002 (16/16), 2003 (16/16), 2004 (16/16), 2005 (16/16), 2006 (16/16) — 224/223. Playoffs: 1993 (3/3), 1994 (1/1), 1995 (1/1), 1997 (1/1), 2003 (1/1), 2006 (1/1) — 8/8.

2006

Started 16 games at right guard … Earned his 12th consecutive Pro Bowl nod, tying G Randall McDaniel for the most Pro Bowl invitations in NFL history … Joined G Brian Waters to become the first guard duo from the same team to be named to three straight Pro Bowls … Was a valuable member of the offensive line that allowed RB Larry Johnson gain a franchise single-season record 1,789 rushing yards and compiling an NFL single-season record 416 rushing attempts … Started at Pittsburgh (10/15), marking his 213th game played to pass K Nick Lowery (212) for the most games played in Chiefs history … Started at right guard vs. Jacksonville (12/31), marking his 224th game for the most games played in Chiefs history. It was also his 223rd consecutive start, the third-longest streak in the NFL since the AFL-NFL merger … Started at right guard in an AFC Wild Card Game at Indianapolis (1/6/07), marking his eighth career playoff game to become the 15th player in franchise history to play in eight or more playoff games.

2005

Started all 16 games and earned his 11th consecutive Pro Bowl berth … Joined with T Willie Roaf and G Brian Waters to give the Chiefs three offensive linemen selected to the Pro Bowl for the second time in team history … Joined with Waters to become the first guard duo to make back-to-back Pro Bowls since Cowboys guards Nate Newton and Larry Allen in ‘95-96 … Was a second-team All-Pro selection by AP and was named All-AFC by Pro Football Weekly … Helped RB Larry Johnson set the franchise single-season rushing record with 1,750 yards … Played in his 200th career game vs. Oakland (11/6), joining K Nick Lowery (212) and P Jerrel Wilson (203) as the only players in franchise history to own 200 or more regular season game appearances … Started his 200th consecutive game at Buffalo (11/13), becoming just the fourth player since the AFL-NFL merger to start 200 straight contests … Started vs. Cincinnati (1/1/06), marking his 208th game played to move him into second on the club’s all-time service chart.

2004

Started 16 regular season games at right guard … Earned his 10th straight trip to the Pro Bowl … Joined G Brian Waters as a Pro Bowl selection, marking the first time two guards from the same team have made the Pro Bowl since Larry Allen and Nate Newton did it for Dallas following the ‘95 season … Earned second-team All-Pro honors from AP and Football Digest … Named to the All-AFC team by Pro Football Weekly … A key cog in a Chiefs offense that led the NFL in total offense for the first time in team history, averaging 418.2 yards per game … Started at San Diego (1/2/05), extending the longest streak of games played (192) and games started (191) in team history.

2003

Started 16 regular season games at right guard … Earned his ninth straight trip to the Pro Bowl … An AP All-Pro selection … Anchored an offensive line that helped RB Priest Holmes set an NFL single-season record with 27 rushing TDs … Started his 172nd game in a Chiefs uniform at Denver (12/7) to pass C Jack Rudnay for the most starts in Kansas City history … Opened his 175th regular season game in a Chiefs uniform vs. Chicago (12/28), extending his record for the most starts in Kansas City history … Started the club’s AFC Divisional Playoff Game vs. Indianapolis (1/11/04).

2002

Started all 16 games at right guard … Was selected to his eighth consecutive Pro Bowl, the longest streak by an offensive player in franchise history … Earned first-team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press and Football Digest … Was also an All-Pro pick of The Sporting News and was an All-NFL and All-AFC selection of Pro Football Weekly … Part of a Kansas City offensive line that helped Holmes establish a franchise record with 1,615 rushing yards … Started his 145th consecutive game vs. Jacksonville (9/15) to bypass Emmitt Thomas (144) for the longest streak in Chiefs annals since ‘68.

2001

Started all 16 games at right guard … Was selected to the Pro Bowl for the seventh straight season … Was named second-team All-NFL by the College and Pro Football Newsweekly … Pushed his streak of consecutive games played to 144 and his starting streak to 143 contests … A key member of the offensive line that helped RB Priest Holmes win the NFL rushing title with 1,555 yards.

2000

Captained the Chiefs offense along with C Tim Grunhard … Opened 15 games at right guard and one at left tackle … Selected to his sixth straight Pro Bowl … Filled in at left tackle when starter John Tait left the game with an injury at New England (12/4). It was his second career action at tackle. He filled in at right tackle at Cleveland (9/24/95) when injuries sidelined John Alt and Jeff Criswell … Made his first NFL start at left tackle vs. Carolina (12/10) in place of Tait … Returned to his starting spot at right guard vs. Denver (12/17) ... Kansas City tied a franchise record by not permitting a sack in those three consecutive contests vs. the Patriots, Panthers and Broncos with Shields seeing substantial action at left tackle in two of those games.

1999

Started all 16 games at right guard and was named to the Pro Bowl for the fifth consecutive year … Was a first-team All-Pro selection of The Sporting News … A major contributor to the Chiefs ground game which ranked fourth in the NFL, averaging 130.1 yards per game … Part of an offensive line that allowed just 26.0 sacks, the fourth-lowest total in the league … Captained the offense vs. Denver (9/19), vs. Detroit (9/26) and at San Diego (10/3) ... Made his 100th consecutive start at right guard vs. New England (10/10).

1998

Started 16 games at right guard, earning Pro Bowl honors for a fourth straight year … Got his first career reception in the third quarter of the monsoon game vs. Seattle (10/4), hauling in a Rich Gannon pass that was batted back at the line of scrimmage for a four-yard gain.

1997

Started all 16 regular season games and earned a third straight Pro Bowl appearance … Received first-team All-NFL honors from College and Pro Football Newsweekly and second-team recognition from Football Digest … Was a first-team All-AFC pick of Football News … Part of a Kansas City offensive line which helped the Chiefs roll up 135.7 rushing yards per game to rank fourth in the AFC and fifth in the NFL, marking the third straight season the club was among the league’s top five rushing offenses … Started in the playoffs vs. Denver (1/4/98), his sixth postseason appearance.

1996

Opened all 16 games at right guard … Earned his second straight berth in the Pro Bowl, his first as a starter … Became the first Kansas City guard to appear in back-to-back AFC-NFC Pro Bowls since Ed Budde in ‘71 and ‘72 … Was a first-team All-AFC selection of both UPI and Pro Football Weekly … Helped the Chiefs average 125.6 rushing yards per game, the league’s fourth-best total.

1995

Made his first Pro Bowl appearance and was named first-team All-NFL by USA Today and Sports Illustrated … Started all 16 regular season contests, in addition to the club’s playoff tilt … A pivotal part of a Chiefs offensive line which cleared a path for the NFL’s top rushing offense, marking the first time in franchise history that Kansas City had ever led the league in that category … That same offensive line was also proficient in protecting the passer, allowing an AFC-low 21.0 sacks … Opened at right guard at Cleveland (9/24), but injuries to starting tackles John Alt and Jeff Criswell forced him to step in at the right tackle spot despite never previously taking a snap at that position.

1994

Started all 16 regular season games, plus one playoff contest at right guard … Was a key reason the Chiefs permitted just 19.0 sacks, the fewest in Kansas City history.

1993

Played in all 16 games (15 starts) at right guard as a rookie … Also started three playoff contests … His 18 combined starts were the most ever by a Chiefs rookie … Named to almost every all-rookie squad, including Pro Football Weekly, Football News and Football Digest … Earned the club’s Mack Lee Hill Award, the team’s most prestigious rookie honor … Saw his first pro action at right guard when Dave Szott, the team’s starting left guard, suffered a knee injury in the season opener at Tampa Bay (9/5) and starting right guard Danny Villa took Szott’s spot … The following week at Houston (9/12), Villa moved to left guard and Shields began his starting streak at right guard.

College Bio

Was a rare three-time All-Big Eight choice … Became the second Outland Trophy winner to ever play for the Chiefs (Bobby Bell, ‘62) ... Was also a finalist for the Lombardi Trophy in ‘92 … Was a first team All-America selection of AP, Football News, Walter Camp and Kodak and a consensus All-Big Eight choice as a senior … Was a second-team All-America pick by the AP, as well as a first-team All-Big Eight choice as a junior … The first Husker lineman since C Dave Rimington (’80) to earn conference first-team honors as a sophomore … Became the first player from the state of Oklahoma to play for the Huskers … Owns a Communications degree from Nebraska.

Personal Bio

• Was an all-state choice at Lawton High School in Lawton, Oklahoma.

• Selected state Lineman of the Year by the Daily Oklahoman.

• Three-year letterman at guard and defensive tackle.

• Part of a squad that won the Class 5A state championship. That team was quarterbacked by former Kansas City Royals catcher Kelly Stinett and also included future NFL performers such as S James Trapp and RB Dewell Brewer.

• Was also a member of the track squad at Lawton High School.

• Established the “Will to Succeed Foundation,” which has developed a number of innovative programs and has benefited more than 100,000 individuals since the foundation’s inception in ‘93. A complete listing of all Shields’ charitable efforts are on the foundation’s website at willtosucceed.org. Several major components of the “Will to Succeed Foundation” include: Serving as a spokesman and on the Board of Directors for the Marillac Center for Children which benefits children with emotional and behavioral disorders; “Operation Breakthrough” which helps meet the needs of disadvantaged children served by St. Vincent’s Family Center; “Team Esteem,” a program for inner-city youths which rewards academic and personal improvement with trips to cultural events and Chiefs games.

• The “Will to Succeed Foundation” also benefits centers for abused and neglected children such as Safehome, Hope House and Synergy Services.

• Part of the NFL-USO tour with Atlanta TE Alge Crumpler, Tampa Bay LB Shelton Quarles and New England TE Benjamin Watson that visited troops throughout the Persian Gulf in March of 2007. Also kept an online journal on kcchiefs.com detailing his trip to Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan.

• Received the Henry B. Iba Citizen-Athlete Award in June of 2006. Previous honorees have included Ozzie Smith and Karl Malone.

• The Shields were named the Philanthropists of the Year by the Kansas City Council of Philanthropy in May of 2005.

• Was named to the prestigious “40 Under Forty” list by Ingram’s magazine in 2004, an honor that annually recognizes Kansas City’s most influential and accomplished business and community leaders in Kansas City under 40 years of age.

• Was a finalist for the 2004 Byron “Whizzer” White Humanitarian Award.

• Received the “Tribute to a Champion Award” from the Midwest Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in February of 2004.

• Was also the recipient of the Kansas City Spirit Award in 2004.

• Named the 2003 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, becoming the fourth player in Chiefs history to earn that distinction.

• Served as the Chiefs United Way spokesperson from 2003-06.

• Is a board member for the Kansas City Stop Violence Coalition.

• Conducts annual youth football camps in his hometown of Lawton, Oklahoma, as well as locations in Iowa and New Jersey.

• Part of the “School is Cool Jam” conducted at the University of Nebraska which brought over 17,000 students together for the purpose of mentoring, motivating and stressing the importance of education.

• An active participant in the Reach Out and Read KC program and the Storytelling Celebration which both promote reading to Kansas City area youths.

• Chaired “United We Read,” a metro-wide literary project in 2002.

• Elected into the Mid-America Education Hall of Fame for his work with his “Will to Succeed Foundation” and promoting academic excellence.

• Was named the NFL’s Extra Effort Award winner for October of 2002 for his charitable work.

• Named the 2001 NFL Good Guy of the Year by The Sporting News.

• Received the inaugural “Arthur S. Arkush Humanitarian of the Year Award” presented by Pro Football Weekly in ‘99 which recognizes “an NFL player whose contributions to the community and charitable causes are both outstanding and hands-on.”

• Was named one of the “Good Guys in Sports” by The Sporting News in 2000, 2002 and 2004.

• Was the 2000 NFL recipient of “The Citizenship Through Sports Award” which is presented by the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance which annually recognizes athletes from all sports for “outstanding citizenship, sportsmanship, ethical conduct and community service.”

• Provided color commentary for Metro Sports coverage of local high school football games.

• Full name: Will Herthie Shields.

• Married, wife Senia, one daughter, Sanayika (14), and two sons, Shavon (13) and Soloman (9).

• The Shields family resides in Overland Park, Kansas.

Will Shields in the News

3/17/2007 8:09:53 AM - Letters from the Gulf: Will Shields' USO Tour

3/13/2007 4:34:18 PM - Letters from the Gulf: Will Shields' USO Tour

3/12/2007 4:47:14 PM - Letters from the Gulf: Will Shields' USO Tour

3/10/2007 9:48:21 AM - Letters from the Gulf: Will Shields' USO Tour

3/8/2007 12:08:48 PM - Letters from the Gulf: Will Shields' USO Tour

3/7/2007 11:08:43 AM - Letters from the Gulf: Will Shields' USO Tour

2/28/2007 3:58:04 PM - Will Shields Helps Kick off NFL-USO Tour to Persian Gulf