It is criminal that he is not. My favorite memory of Donnie Shell is when he ruined Earl Campbell on Monday Night Football. I think Earl Campbell's career started its downward spiral after that hit.
Hey I met that guy once! In New Orleans at an Airbrush shop in 1984 before a Monday Night game! :D Also, Donnie Shell should get royalties for helping invent the Flak Jacket... I think Dan Pastorini and Earl Campbell would both agree.
Donnie Shell was greater than most safties who played then and now because he was compesating on every attempt on every play he was physically involed in making a big difference on that play he was consumate playmaker and man did ge not compensate!
Dude is from a town in SC that barely even has a school, didn't get drafted from a HBCU...made the pro bowl 5 times. Incredible. Whitmire should name the field after him.
Everyone talks about the 1974 draft that rounded out the Steelers championship teams of the 70's that brought in Swann, Lambert, Webster and Stallworth. People forget that Donnie Shell who should be in the HOF in his own right was an undrafted free agent that year back when there were 20+ rounds in the NFL Draft.
A great player... He should have been in the halls of fame many many yrs ago. Not have to wait over 25 yrs.. the committe whio vote should and can do better. I'm glad that he is finally in there.👍
Imagine having to play running back and if you made it through the lineman then the line backers and then the secondary finished you off? That's when concussions was invented 😂😂😂
Especially when considering a defense that would consist of Lambert, Ham, Lloyd & Harrison at LB in a 3-4 scheme... or just move Harrison to the edge in 4-3 along side Joe Greene and Casey Hampton in the middle with L.C. Greenwood at the other End spot. Then add Blount, Woodson, Shell & Polamalu, as DBs. With exception to the DBs ...the Steelers 2nd group of 11 defenders would be nearly as dominating as the first group. It's amazing the level of talent the Steelers have been blessed with over the past 40 years on the defensive side of the ball.
In fact, consider the 2nd 11 would look something like Andy Russell, Joey Porter, Chad Brown and Kevin Geene at LB in 4-3... or move Greene to the line along with Aaron Smith Cam Heyward and Dwight White. Then with Carnell Lake, Ryan Clark, Mike Wagner and Ike Taylor as DBs that's another impressive group of 11 defenders.
@@SteelCurtain_90 Don't forget about DB Jack Butler. That dude was was an all time great as well, and could easily be in the starter group. Same with Ernie Stautner, who you mentioned.
Shell was a tough, hard hitting safety. Today, he would be that guy the receivers knew who to look out for. I'd gladly take old school players like him over today's overrated and over-talkative players.
I remember that like it was yesterday- Big Earl had to wear a flak jacket to protect those ribs. DS retired with the most interceptions by a strong safety -51. He would give you a parking ticket if you came in his direction. He remains my favorite safety along with the late Jack Tatum and both should have been enshrined in the Hall of Fame decades ago.
@@davester1970 He nearly had 2000 the next year and two 1300 plus yd seasons after the hit in 1979. Shell changed the tenure of the game into the Steelers favor after the famous hit, but Earl was still dynamic afterwards .
i saw Shell or Ham spear Earl Campbell in the ribs with their helmet, causing Campbell to lose control of the ball just before he hit the ground, turning it over to the Steelers. The hit also took Campbell out of the game for the remaining 3 quarters. -- I haven't watched pro games since the rough, tough and dangerous play of the 1970s. Is it still legal for a defender to use his helmet to spear the ball carrier in the ribs? (I've learned about all the new rules protecting quarterbacks and their receivers. (Today, Ken Anderson would be Joe Montana, and Isaac Curtis would join Lyn Swann in the Hall of Fame.)
There was no helmet spear on the hit. WTF are you talking about? It's right here at 2:50, go look. He hit him with his shoulder and the reason Campbell got hurt was he was spinning and left his rib area vulnerable when Shell made contact. It was a hard hit, but there was no intent to injure and only bad fortune and circumstance got the better of EC. BTW: If you didn't know it was Shell or Ham (I know, the tow are easy to confuse), maybe it's better you don't watch it as you obviously aren't knowledgeable enough to make assessments, let alone your opinion known.
That is a football player. who wanted to play football and make a living! Not showing up at practice, preseason or football season is a Bell thing to do...sure hope he is traded soon. Nothing about him says Steelers.
World class!!!
He was the best in his day
I love watching these highlights. Donnie should be in fall of fame. Great story and a great man!!!
It is criminal that he is not. My favorite memory of Donnie Shell is when he ruined Earl Campbell on Monday Night Football. I think Earl Campbell's career started its downward spiral after that hit.
he is now :)
I love that HIT.
Congratulations!!!!!!! HOF 2020!!!!
Hey I met that guy once! In New Orleans at an Airbrush shop in 1984 before a Monday Night game! :D
Also, Donnie Shell should get royalties for helping invent the Flak Jacket... I think Dan Pastorini and Earl Campbell would both agree.
One of my ALL TIME FAVORITE PLAYERS DONNIE SHELL!!!
Loved Donnie Shell! One of my childhood heros!
Congrats Donnie - 10th HOFer from 70s Supermen!!!
Donnie Shell and Joe Greene, my two favorite Steelers. I was so fortunately to grow up in western PA in the 1970s.
Congratulations! Just found out about this well deserved honor. I’m so happy for you Brother Donnie.
I wish I too could be fortunately.
It's like watching a doc. from Wild Kingdom...these guys were fierce..
the Steelers better step it up this year..
Best defense ever.....because the same guys did it for years every year.....not just 1 or 2 years then gone.
Grew up w his nieces and nephew, always liked watching Donnie play. Great player.
A great player and a NFL hall of Famer in the 2020
Donnie Shell was greater than most safties who played then and now because he was compesating on every attempt on every play he was physically involed in making a big difference on that play he was consumate playmaker and man did ge not compensate!
Finally I glad that he in Hall of Frame.
2:03 Looks like magic.
2:47
Donnie Shell was the course rub that performed as Earl Campbell's rib meat tenderizer.
You were probably an underrated but an incredibly integral part of THE GREATEST DEFENSE OF ALL TIME Donnie!!!
I love that 70 Steelers team they were so good every aspect of the the game dominated on defense
That Steeler defensive team is probably the best in the history of the NFL.
Amen
They are the best in history
Without a doubt!
I agree
Dude is from a town in SC that barely even has a school, didn't get drafted from a HBCU...made the pro bowl 5 times. Incredible. Whitmire should name the field after him.
Congratulations Bro! Finally recognized as a Hall of Famer!
Everyone talks about the 1974 draft that rounded out the Steelers championship teams of the 70's that brought in Swann, Lambert, Webster and Stallworth. People forget that Donnie Shell who should be in the HOF in his own right was an undrafted free agent that year back when there were 20+ rounds in the NFL Draft.
Why is some film footage from the late 1800's and 1900's better quality than NFL highlights from the 1970's?
the most underrated steel curtain player deserved the hall of fame finally
When football was great...love my Steelers.
A great player... He should have been in the halls of fame many many yrs ago. Not have to wait over 25 yrs.. the committe whio vote should and can do better. I'm glad that he is finally in there.👍
Imagine having to play running back and if you made it through the lineman then the line backers and then the secondary finished you off? That's when concussions was invented 😂😂😂
Some of those clips make me hurt all over!
HOFmer Shell!
Before Ronnie Lott and Steve Atwater there was a Donnie Shell
why is this man not in the hof
it's a travesty
he got what he deserved!! He's finally in!!
He is now
id take the top 11 players of the Steelers on each side against any other franchise
Especially when considering a defense that would consist of Lambert, Ham, Lloyd & Harrison at LB in a 3-4 scheme... or just move Harrison to the edge in 4-3 along side Joe Greene and Casey Hampton in the middle with L.C. Greenwood at the other End spot. Then add Blount, Woodson, Shell & Polamalu, as DBs. With exception to the DBs ...the Steelers 2nd group of 11 defenders would be nearly as dominating as the first group. It's amazing the level of talent the Steelers have been blessed with over the past 40 years on the defensive side of the ball.
In fact, consider the 2nd 11 would look something like Andy Russell, Joey Porter, Chad Brown and Kevin Geene at LB in 4-3... or move Greene to the line along with Aaron Smith Cam Heyward and Dwight White. Then with Carnell Lake, Ryan Clark, Mike Wagner and Ike Taylor as DBs that's another impressive group of 11 defenders.
@@SteelCurtain_90 Don't forget about DB Jack Butler. That dude was was an all time great as well, and could easily be in the starter group. Same with Ernie Stautner, who you mentioned.
Man did he not get compensated every time they tried him.
Awesome video
Which pixel was Donnie?
Back when football was about the game not about money. They have ruined just about everything .
The Torpedo
The one and only cornerback to lay out Earl Campbell. Before there was a Troy there was Donnie Shell.
Safety
Raising them proud and strong for the gridiron the fineMamas and papas of the great state of South Carolina Southern stud productions will done stud
Shell was a tough, hard hitting safety. Today, he would be that guy the receivers knew who to look out for. I'd gladly take old school players like him over today's overrated and over-talkative players.
He was awesome, but would you take him over Polamalu or Carnell Lake?
@@natureboy1313 Lake and Polamalu could ball in the 70s with the original Steel Curtain.
@ 2:50, he broke Earl Campbell's ribs.
I remember that like it was yesterday- Big Earl had to wear a flak jacket to protect those ribs. DS retired with the most interceptions by a strong safety -51. He would give you a parking ticket if you came in his direction. He remains my favorite safety along with the late Jack Tatum and both should have been enshrined in the Hall of Fame decades ago.
The reason Jack Tatum didn't get the Hall Of Fame was due to controversy about the hit on Daryl Stingley.
His career was never the same after that hit.
@@davester1970 He nearly had 2000 the next year and two 1300 plus yd seasons after the hit in 1979. Shell changed the tenure of the game into the Steelers favor after the famous hit, but Earl was still dynamic afterwards .
i saw Shell or Ham spear Earl Campbell in the ribs with their helmet, causing Campbell to lose control of the ball just before he hit the ground, turning it over to the Steelers. The hit also took Campbell out of the game for the remaining 3 quarters. -- I haven't watched pro games since the rough, tough and dangerous play of the 1970s. Is it still legal for a defender to use his helmet to spear the ball carrier in the ribs? (I've learned about all the new rules protecting quarterbacks and their receivers. (Today, Ken Anderson would be Joe Montana, and Isaac Curtis would join Lyn Swann in the Hall of Fame.)
There was no helmet spear on the hit. WTF are you talking about? It's right here at 2:50, go look. He hit him with his shoulder and the reason Campbell got hurt was he was spinning and left his rib area vulnerable when Shell made contact. It was a hard hit, but there was no intent to injure and only bad fortune and circumstance got the better of EC. BTW: If you didn't know it was Shell or Ham (I know, the tow are easy to confuse), maybe it's better you don't watch it as you obviously aren't knowledgeable enough to make assessments, let alone your opinion known.
Torpedo, Andy, Rocky, & Kolb should all be in!
Torpedo and Andy yes. Rocky is NOT a hall of famer.
Don't forget LC too.
Andy yes.Rocky, special circumstance.Kolb no.LC yes
That is a football player. who wanted to play football and make a living! Not showing up at practice, preseason or football season is a Bell thing to do...sure hope he is traded soon. Nothing about him says Steelers.