Donnie Shell had to endure a long wait and overcome difficult odds. But on Saturday evening in Canton, Ohio, Shell finally received the ultimate reward for a tremendous career.
Shell, the former Steelers safety who made five Pro Bowls and was named to the NFL’s All-Pro teams four times, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday.
“It’s been a long journey, but a good one,” Shell said. “I arrived in Pittsburgh in 1974, and now I’m in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Only God can do that.”
In his 14 years in the NFL — all in Pittsburgh — Shell hauled in 51 interceptions, which was the most by a strong safety in league history at the time of his retirement. Those exploits earned him the nickname ‘The Torpedo.’
“The one thing I liked about (Steelers coach) Chuck Noll is that he did not care about where you came from or what college you went to, but if you’re self-motivated,” he said.
Shell is a perfect example of that. An undrafted free agent out of South Carolina State in 1974, he was a long shot to stick with the Steelers. He played the first three years of his career primarily on special teams before his career took off.
Shell told a story of his first training camp and being interviewed by a reporter, who questioned the likelihood of him making the team. He called telling the reporter — who he admitted was correct about him not being a favorite to make the roster — that he was from South Carolina State, and he would be making the team.
“When that training camp ended, I was one of 13 rookies to make the team,” Shell said. “When the facts get in the way of your goal, you must go against the grain.
“Please do not let obstacles, trials or unforeseen circumstances deter you from accomplishing your dreams and goals you set for yourself.”
Shell moved from linebacker to strong safety early in his career, and end up with 201 games played, the third most by a Steelers player, behind only Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Webster.
Shell’s daughter, April, served as his presenter.