Donnie Shell a senior HOF finalist

[SteelerDayTrader]

https://www.steelers.com/news/shell-amo ... ts-for-hof

Retired the leading SS interceptor with 51 ints. No one ever hit harder or played tougher

Its always debatable to say who was the best ever at a position. I know this. Donnie is one of the top 5 SS ever and takes a backseat to no one

Spread the word. Get Donnie in the HOF where he belongs

[MJG75]

LC and Andy should also be there, but I fully support The Torpedo being so recognized, and long overdue it is.

You stated it well. Top 5 at that position all time? Without question.

Hit like a linebacker (a Jack Lambert type linebacker), intercepted like a cornerback (a Mel Blount type of Cornerback).

Vote him in. It's the right thing to do and should have been done long ago.

[Old School]

Donnie Shell was so good he owns number 31 in the same manner that Lambert owns 58, Joe 75.

[bradshaw2ben]

We've had this conversation before, but there is more of a backup at off-ball LB. Russell has a good case, but Chuck Howley didn't even make the finalists! Zach Thomas is likely getting in this year. It's going to be tough for any stale candidacy if you don't make it as a finalist in this year where they're trying to catch up to the backlog.

[Quixotic]

I remember watching those guys on TV, when I was a mere tween. At the time, they were not legendary, they were just terrifying. Donnie Shell hit so hard it knocked the wind out of me…sitting in my crazy uncle’s living room. If he doesn’t get into the Hall, they should just close the place down; it’s a fraud.

[bradshaw2ben]

And, for those who don't know, I am as outspoken of an advocate for Donnie Shell as there is... if they choose Steve Atwater over him (as some have speculated) the place deserves to burn down.

[fractalsteel]

I always wondered why Shell never made the HOF. On one weak side, the argument that too many Steelers from that era got in and someone had to be excluded never made any sense. Too many is no excuse.
Always wondered was there another reason? Something behind the scenes?

51 career interceptions in an era when QB's rarely threw the ball more than 20 times a game. Great tackler as well.

It would be so cool if Shell goes in the same year that Troy does.

[fractalsteel]

Donnie Shell was so good he owns number 31 in the same manner that Lambert owns 58, Joe 75.

Mike Logan was allowed to wear it because he idolized Shell. Wonder what the story is with Justin Layne?

[Baltostiller]

And, for those who don't know, I am as outspoken of an advocate for Donnie Shell as there is... if they choose Steve Atwater over him (as some have speculated) the place deserves to burn down.

Atwater is with the Modern day players ,Shell is with the Centennial class. Hold your torches...

[Ice]

I always wondered why Shell never made the HOF. On one weak side, the argument that too many Steelers from that era got in and someone had to be excluded never made any sense. Too many is no excuse.
Always wondered was there another reason? Something behind the scenes?

51 career interceptions in an era when QB's rarely threw the ball more than 20 times a game. Great tackler as well.

It would be so cool if Shell goes in the same year that Troy does.

It would, indeed.

[MJG75]

I always wondered why Shell never made the HOF. On one weak side, the argument that too many Steelers from that era got in and someone had to be excluded never made any sense. Too many is no excuse.
Always wondered was there another reason? Something behind the scenes?

51 career interceptions in an era when QB's rarely threw the ball more than 20 times a game. Great tackler as well.

It would be so cool if Shell goes in the same year that Troy does.

It's a very weak argument. If they are the greatest team of all time, it only goes to reason that many of the players would end up in the HOF.

I always thought Donnie and Andy were hurt (as ridiculous as it is) by the fact that Andy retired before the last two SB's of the decade, while The Torpedo was a ST player for the first two. Pine Edwards was our starting SS for the first two, and if you can believe it, he actually hit harder than Donnie. Ronnie Lott might remind some of Donnie; Pine hit like Jack Tatum. These are still specious arguments, but those who have an agenda use any excuse to keep legendary players out. I have no idea what those bozos say about LC, who dominated at his position for nearly the entire decade of the 70s.

Agree. Donnie and Troy, two very different styles, two legendary players. Both should undeniably be honored in the Hall.

[fractalsteel]

I always wondered why Shell never made the HOF. On one weak side, the argument that too many Steelers from that era got in and someone had to be excluded never made any sense. Too many is no excuse.
Always wondered was there another reason? Something behind the scenes?

51 career interceptions in an era when QB's rarely threw the ball more than 20 times a game. Great tackler as well.

It would be so cool if Shell goes in the same year that Troy does.

It's a very weak argument. If they are the greatest team of all time, it only goes to reason that many of the players would end up in the HOF.

I always thought Donnie and Andy were hurt (as ridiculous as it is) by the fact that Andy retired before the last two SB's of the decade, while The Torpedo was a ST player for the first two. Pine Edwards was our starting SS for the first two, and if you can believe it, he actually hit harder than Donnie. Ronnie Lott might remind some of Donnie; Pine hit like Jack Tatum. These are still specious arguments, but those who have an agenda use any excuse to keep legendary players out. I have no idea what those bozos say about LC, who dominated at his position for nearly the entire decade of the 70s.

Agree. Donnie and Troy, two very different styles, two legendary players. Both should undeniably be honored in the Hall.

Good points MJG.

I think FF Peter King is one reason that Shell and LC are not in the HOF. He is on record that too many Steelers have gotten in. Keeping those two out of the HOF weakens it. I would rather a player who really wasn't deserving of the HOF to get in then to keep players out because too many of their teammates are in.

I loved Glenn Edwards. The guy hated to lose. He was also a loose cannon who would be habitually suspended in this era of pussy ball.
Do you remember when he knocked Ken Anderson out of a game back in 1975(?) with a vicious cheap shot?
Anderson carved up the Steelers defense that afternoon and Edwards had enough and when Anderson ran to the sideline Edwards hit him with a vicious forearm across the helmet. Knocked Ken out of the game.

[Pabst]

I'm holding out hope for a Bill Cowher, Donnie Shell, Alan Faneca, and Troy Polamalu class.

[Drummer Boy]

It's a very weak argument. If they are the greatest team of all time, it only goes to reason that many of the players would end up in the HOF.

I always thought Donnie and Andy were hurt (as ridiculous as it is) by the fact that Andy retired before the last two SB's of the decade, while The Torpedo was a ST player for the first two. Pine Edwards was our starting SS for the first two, and if you can believe it, he actually hit harder than Donnie. Ronnie Lott might remind some of Donnie; Pine hit like Jack Tatum. These are still specious arguments, but those who have an agenda use any excuse to keep legendary players out. I have no idea what those bozos say about LC, who dominated at his position for nearly the entire decade of the 70s.

Agree. Donnie and Troy, two very different styles, two legendary players. Both should undeniably be honored in the Hall.

Greenwood is the worst omission for me, followed closely by Shell.

Can you imagine running to the strong side against Mean Joe and LC, w/Ham and Lambert backing them up?

[SteelerDayTrader]

I get why Andy isnt in. I dont agree. But I kinda understand it.

Simply put. Donnie Shell IMO is the best SS ever.

LC....wow. I cant think of a DE who was better.

Peter King is dumbass who has admitted publicly he doesnt even watch much football. Many times he just watches the highlights or re-writes someone elses write-up

[fractalsteel]

I'm holding out hope for a Bill Cowher, Donnie Shell, Alan Faneca, and Troy Polamalu class.

FF Peter King would probably have a stroke.

Can you imagine the Steeler presence at Canton on induction day if this happened?

I went in 1989(Blount/Bradshaw) and 1990 (Lamber/Harris) and both times the place was crawling with Steeler fans. Reminding me of a home Steeler game almost.

[COR-TEN]

Donnie Shell deserves it just like LC Greenwood. Both should be in. Period.