Art Shell Prepares Nephew for Career in NFL

Brandon Shell, who started 48 games on the University of South Carolina’s offensive line, will be waiting to hear his name called during this year’s NFL Draft. He’s projected to drafted in the later rounds, but Brandon already has an advantage over the other prospects in the draft. He’s been coached by his uncle and Gold Jacket Art Shell.
 
Art spent some time with Brandon during the season working with him on his technique. They broke down his film and reviewed some areas Brandon struggled with.
 
“We went on the field and worked on some things, and watched some film together,” said NFL Hall of Famer Art Shell per the Post and Courier. “I would ask him questions: ‘What are you thinking here? What are you doing? Why are you doing that?’ And then I would also ask him what he did wrong, and what he needed to do to make adjustments. He’s a good learner. He’s a smart kid. That’s one thing he has going for him.”
 
Art will continue to mentor Brandon as he continues his career in the NFL.
 
Art, a third-round draft pick of the Oakland Raiders in 1968, excelled on the special teams for two seasons before winning the starting offensive left tackle job in his third campaign. Within a short time, he became widely recognized as one of the premier offensive linemen in the National Football League. Through much of his career, Shell teamed with left guard Gene Upshaw, a 1987 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee, to provide the Raiders with an exceptional nucleus to a forward unit that powered the perennially strong Oakland offense of the 1970s.
 
He was a first- or second-team All-Prochoice six straight years from 1973 through 1978. He also played in eight Pro Bowl games and 23 post-season contests, including eight AFL/AFC championships and the Raiders' victories in Super Bowls XI and XV. Shell was credited with a nearly perfect performance against Jim Marshall, the Minnesota Vikings’ sterling defensive end, in Super Bowl XI.