13. Arthur L. “Art” Shell, offensive tackle, University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Most casual football fans recall Art Shell, the coach. Shell was the first modern-era black head coach, hired by Al Davis and the Raiders in 1989, coaching six seasons and leading the Raiders to their first AFC title game since the Tom Flores era.
Shell was the first black head coach since Fritz Pollard at the turn of the 20th century. However, not many know the Hall of Fame tackle who anchored the offensive line of John Madden’s Oakland Raiders of the 1960s and 70s with Gene Upshaw.
Shell was one of the most athletic and physically gifted offensive linemen of any era. Shell played in 207 games, starting 169 and blocked for quarterbacks Ken Stabler and Darryl Lamonica, giving them time to throw deep to Fred Biletnikoff, Cliff Branch and Dave Casper.
Before Shell became a great coach and even more outstanding player, he was a two-sport athlete from Bonds-Wilson High School in North Charleston, South Carolina. Excelling in basketball and football, Shell chose Maryland State College (now Maryland Eastern Shore) over Grambling State.
Shell was a two-time All-American and a three-time All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association selection while at Maryland State. Shell’s head coach Roosevelt “Sandy” Gillam, Jr. called Shell a “once in a lifetime athlete.”