Lawton's First Hall Of Famer: Will Shields

Offensive lineman is not a glorious position. That’s partly why former Lawton High standout Will Shields’ induction into the National Football Hall of Fame is so special.

Friday, August 7th 2015, 6:15 pm

By: News 9


Offensive lineman is not a glorious position. That’s partly why former Lawton High standout Will Shields’ induction into the National Football Hall of Fame is so special. Shields will be inducted on Sunday; one of eight receiving football’s highest honor.

For Lawton, Shields will become the city’s first Hall of Famer. It was 29 years ago that Shields put the football program on his broad shoulders. Not to say that Lawton didn’t have other quality players, but Shields was a road grader, physically capable of steamrolling several defenders to pave the way for the LHS running game.

Lawton won the 5A State Championship in 1987 and Shields caught the attention of the University of Nebraska and coach Tom Osborne. After his senior season in 1988, Shields was named All-State and Oklahoma Lineman of the Year. Then he was on his way to Lincoln.

He developed as a player at Nebraska and won the Outland Trophy for the nation’s top interior lineman in 1992.

Shields was drafted in 1993 by the Chiefs in the third round. Unbeknownst to the rookie, he would end up taking over a starting role in Week 2 – protecting Joe Montana nonetheless – and the rest, as they say, is history. Shields started 223 straight games for Kansas City, the fifth longest string in NFL history. Not only was he on the field but he excelled, being named to the Pro Bowl 12-straight seasons.

He blocked for seven Top-5 rushing units helping running backs Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson to stardom. Besides his on-field success, Shields formed the Will To Succeed Foundation, which focuses on literacy and creativity in young students and helping both children in need and abused women. Through the non-profit he's impacted more than 100,000 people.

And it all began in Lawton, Oklahoma. Nearly three decades later, Will Shields is getting his due among the best-of-the-best, immortalized in the Hall of Fame.

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

August 7th, 2015

March 22nd, 2024

March 14th, 2024

February 9th, 2024

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024