THE LATEST:
GREATEST PRO HUSKER TO PLAY IN FINAL GAMES

WILL SHIELDS is arguably the greatest NFL player to ever play for NU. Yet he is perhaps even more highly regarded for his efforts off the field as he was named the 2003 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, the most prestigious accolade that can be bestowed upon an active player.

Now, I'm sure the media gurus at the LJS and OWH write a neat little feature praising Shields after his last game or in a few weeks when he earns his 11th straight Pro-Bowl trip. I thought it would be valuable to let you know just how great this Husker Academic All-American has become while you still have a chance to see him play in his final 4 games (plus playoffs, if any, plus a pro-bowl if his knees allow).

The SHIELDS FILE:

• 10 consecutive Pro Bowl appearances
• 203 career starts -- only Green Bay QB Brett Favre entered the 2005 campaign with a longer active starting streak than Shields' string dating back to the second contest of the 93 campaign
• Of the seven modern-era guards in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, only Oakland's Gene Upshaw (217) has played in more career games than Shields.
• 2003 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year
• Outland Trophy winner
• a rare three-time All-Big Eight choice
• first team All-America selection
• first player from the state of Oklahoma to play for the Huskers
• Holds a Communications degree from Nebraska
• Henry B. Iba Citizen-Athlete Award
• Philanthropists of the Year by the Kansas City Council of Philanthrophy in May of 2005
• Chiefs United Way spokesperson since 2003
• Established the Will to Succeed Foundation, which has developed a number of innovative programs and benefited more than 100,000 individuals
• 2001 NFL Good Guy of the Year by The Sporting News
• color commentary for local high school football games
• Married, wife Senia, one daughter, Sanayika (13), and two sons, Shavon (12) and Soloman (8)
• 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
• Board Member and volunteer to countless charities

Will Shields is likely to announce his retirement during the week of the Super Bowl, or he might be back for one more year with the Chiefs, but don't bet on it. So, with just 4+ games left, be sure to watch this living legend in action. People will talk about him for a long, long time and you can tell your kids that you remember seeing him pull and running 20 yards down field in front of the running back to make that key block.

Note to OWH and LJS: Feel free to act like it's your idea when you feature Shield on or about Dec. 20th when he gets invited to his 11th straight Pro-Bowl.