This year, the Pro Football Hall of Fame will have a special Centennial class for 2020. This will include 10 former players not among the regular finalists recently announced and will all be players who played more than 25 seasons ago. One name on the list who we are all excited to see if former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Donnie Shell.
Shell was a dominant player during his time who was known to the splash play before the media even coined the phrase. He had 51 career interceptions and was just as intimidating as a run stopper.
The fact Shell isn’t already in the Hall of Fame is confounding but likely had to do with time. Shell joined the Steelers during their greatest decade. But personally, I think it’s because he came after many of the other Steeler greats already in the Hall. And because Shell played on past those Super Bowl runs, he got lost in the mix. But maybe this year the HOF will finally make amends and put in Shell, who I believe is the fourth-best defensive back in franchise history.
