Gold Jacket Spotlight: ‘Hit or be hit’ in Donnie Shell’s world

“Hit or be hit.”

It is not surprising that DONNIE SHELL, a special teams player with aspirations of becoming a starter and bestowed the nickname “The Human Torpedo,” would make such a proclamation about his style of play.

Described by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s David Fink as “more sledgehammer than scythe” in slicing through opponents, that “torpedo” launches into this week’s Gold Jacket Spotlight.

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Donnie, an undrafted free agent from South Carolina State University, shortly after the 1974 National Football League draft. He provided the Steelers a fifth future Pro Football Hall of Famer, joining draftees LYNN SWANN, JACK LAMBERT, JOHN STALLWORTH and MIKE WEBSTER that season.

While disappointed in being overlooked in the draft, Donnie quickly rebounded after Bill Nunn, the Steelers’ assistant director of player personnel, reached out to him.

“I was disappointed at first, but then Mr. Nunn called me the next morning and offered me a contract,” Donnie recalled. “That got me right back on track.”

Seeking advice from his college coach, Willie Jeffries, after the Houston Oilers and Denver Broncos each offered Donnie a contract, Jeffries strongly suggested Donnie sign with the Steelers declaring, “They’re a tough team, they work hard. And that’s your M.O.,” wrote Jarret Bell in the 2020-2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame Yearbook.

A players’ strike in 1974 provided additional opportunities for rookies during the summer camp. Donnie’s hard work, mentality and efforts paid off.

“Donnie is a perfect example of a player who has been helped by the strike. If we would have had to make a quick judgment on him, as is sometimes the case, I don’t think he would have been around too long,” Steelers Defensive Coordinator Bud Carson said at that time. “But he is progressing and now has a shot.”

Nunn added, “He’s the type of player you have to take time with. The longer he is here, the better he’ll get. And while he’s here, he’ll take a few people’s heads off.”

As Nunn predicted, initially as a member of the special teams units and eventually becoming a starting strong safety, Donnie would continuously improve over time and merit a 14-year career in Pittsburgh.

Expressing a desire to become a starter, Donnie committed himself to an elevated level of performance on those special teams.

“I’d much rather be a starter, but since I’m not, I want to be the best special teams players we’ve got,” he said. “That’s the way I am. I’ve got to be the best at what I’m doing, or I’m very tough to live with.”

Carson confirmed Donnie’s ascension to being considered the top special teams player in the NFL.

“He’s the best there is in the league. There’s no one close to him,” Carson said. “Donnie makes something happen every time he goes down the field.”

Recognizing Donnie as the first special teams captain in Steelers history, head coach Chuck Noll remarked, “Donnie received recognition for his extra-special contributions. He is our standard-bearer.”

Byron Smialek of the Washington (Pa.) Times-Observer described Shell’s proficiency as “making the difficult task of knifing through the opponent’s protective wedge and tackling the kick returner look as easy as a greyhound chasing parked cars. He’s that good.”

An injury to safety Mike Wagner provided the starting opportunity a confident Donnie awaited as he asserted, “If you don’t have confidence in yourself, then no one else will.”

Later, a trade involving Pittsburgh’s Glen Edwards resulted in Donnie becoming a full-time starting strong safety and confirmed Carson’s prediction early in Donnie’s career that, “Before he’s through, he’ll be a great defender.”

Shell corroborated that observation with 51 career interceptions, selection to five consecutive Pro Bowls (1978-1982), recognition as the team’s MVP in 1980 and as a member of four Super Bowl Championship teams (IX, X, XIII, XIV) with the Steelers.

Progressing from being a long shot free agent to a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020, verifies Donnie was a “hit” in the NFL.