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(South Carolina State)...5'11'', 190...Signed as free agent and earned starting role at end of rookie season … Recorded interception in his first career start … Hard-hitting tackler and integral member of Steelers’ vaunted defense … Played in six AFC championship games and four Super Bowls … Recorded five or more picks in season six straight years, 1979-1984 … Led or shared team lead in interceptions five times (1980, 1982-84, 1986) … Career stats: 51 interceptions for 490 yards … Recovered two fumbles for TD … Selected First-Team All-Pro three times (1979, 1980, 1982) … Second-Team All-Pro three times … All-AFC twice … Voted to five consecutive Pro Bowls … Named to Super Bowl Silver Anniversary Team … Born August 26, 1952 in Whitmire, South Carolina.
Donnie Shell, a two-time team MVP and All-Mid-Eastern Conference player at South Carolina State, signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1974.
A fierce hitter, Shell intercepted at least one pass in each of his 14 seasons with the Steelers. His 51 interceptions made him the first strong safety in the history of the National Football League to surpass the 50-interception mark.
One of seven brothers in a family of 10, Shell methodically progressed through the ranks from a special teams player and a part-time defensive back as a rookie, to a starting strong safety, earning that spot in 1977 when he replaced former Pro Bowler Glen Edwards.
Following the 1978 season he was named to the first of his five consecutive Pro Bowl teams. He was also named first- or second-team All-Pro five times, 1978 through 1982.
In 1980 Shell led all Steelers defenders with a career-high seven interceptions and was named the team’s MVP. In a 1981 game against archrival Cleveland Browns, the ball-hawking Shell became the first Steeler since 1973 to have three interceptions in a single game.
Shell, in 1984, duplicated his team- and career-best seven-interception effort. Counting 1982, 1983 and 1986 when he was team co-leader in interceptions, he led or shared the lead in interceptions five out of seven years. Adding to the significance of his accomplishments, his five interceptions in 1982 came during a strike-shortened, nine-game season.
In addition to having a nose for the ball, Shell was also a devastating tackler. He led the team in tackles in both 1982 and 1984, and was the leading tackler in the Steelers secondary for six consecutive years (1981-1986).
His 51 career interceptions rank him third in Steelers history, behind Hall of Famer Mel Blount (57) and Jack Butler (52), and his 19 opponent fumble recoveries are just behind Hall of Famer Jack Ham (21) as a second-best performance by a Steeler. A durable player, Shell is tied for second most seasons played behind only Hall of Fame center Mike Webster.
Interceptions
Year
Team
G
No.
Yds.
Avg.
TD
1974
Pittsburgh
14
1
0
0.0
1975
29
29.0
1976
4
4.0
1977
12
3
4.7
1978
16
21
7.0
1979
5
10
2.0
1980
7
135
19.3
1981
52
10.4
1982
9
27
5.4
1983
18
2.6
1984
61
15.3
1985
40
13.3
1986
15
1987
13
50
1.0
Career Total
201
51
490
9.6
2
Additional Career Statistics: Receiving: 2-39; Punt Returns, 1-6; Fumble Recoveries for TD: 2
1974 AFC – Pittsburgh Steelers 24, Oakland Raiders 13
Shell did not start but played. He had three tackles and one pass defensed.
1975 AFC – Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Oakland Raiders 10
Shell did not start but played.
1976 AFC – Oakland Raiders 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 7
Shell did not start but played. He had one tackle.
1978 AFC – Pittsburgh Steelers 34, Houston Oilers 5
Shell started at strong safety. He had six tackles and one interception for 5 yards.
1979 AFC – Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Houston Oilers 13
Shell started at strong safety. He had one tackle, two assists, one pass defensed, and one fumble recovery.
1984 AFC – Miami Dolphins 45, Pittsburgh Steelers 28
Shell started at strong safety. He had three tackles, one assist, one pass defensed, and intercepted one pass for 18 yards.
Super Bowl IX – Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Minnesota Vikings 6
Shell did not start but played. He recorded one tackle.
Super Bowl X – Pittsburgh Steelers 21, Dallas Cowboys 17
Super Bowl XIII – Pittsburgh Steelers 35, Dallas Cowboys 31
Shell started at strong safety. He recorded five tackles, three assists, and one pass defensed.
Super Bowl XIV – Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Los Angeles Rams 19
All-Pro: 1979 (AP, NEA) · 1980 (AP, PFWA, NEA, SN) · 1982 (AP, PFWA)
All-Pro Second Team: 1978 (NEA) · 1981 (AP) · 1982 (NEA)
All-AFC: 1979 (SN) · 1980 (UPI, PW)
All-AFC Second Team: 1978 (UPI) · 1981 (UPI)
(5) – 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983
Steelers’ records held by Shell at the time of his retirement following the 1987 season
· [Tied for 1st] Most Seasons – 14
· [2nd] Most Games Played – 201
· [Tied for 2nd] Most Interceptions, Game – 3 (vs. Cleveland Browns, Nov. 22, 1981)
· [3rd] Most Interceptions, Career – 51
AFC Statistical Championships
Interception Leader: 1982*
Team Statistical Championships
Interception Leader: 1980, 1982*, 1983*, 1984, 1986*
* Co-leader
Awards and Honors
· Super Bowl Silver Anniversary Team
Year-by-Year Team Records
1974 Pittsburgh Steelers........... 10-3-1 (1st)
1975 Pittsburgh Steelers........... 12-2-0 (1st)
1976 Pittsburgh Steelers........... 10-4-0 (1st)
1977 Pittsburgh Steelers............ 9-5-0 (1st)
1978 Pittsburgh Steelers........... 14-2-0 (1st)
1979 Pittsburgh Steelers........... 12-4-0 (1st)
1980 Pittsburgh Steelers............... 9-7-0 (3rd)
1981 Pittsburgh Steelers............... 8-8-0 (2nd)
1982 Pittsburgh Steelers............ 6-3-0 (4th*)
1983 Pittsburgh Steelers........... 10-6-0 (1st)
1984 Pittsburgh Steelers............ 9-7-0 (1st)
1985 Pittsburgh Steelers............... 7-9-0 (3rd)
1986 Pittsburgh Steelers............. 6-10-0 (3rd)
1987 Pittsburgh Steelers............... 8-7-0 (3rd)
* AFC regular season finish in strike-shortened season.
(Division Finish in Parentheses)
Full Name: Donnie Shell
Birthdate: August 26, 1952
Birthplace: Whitmire, South Carolina
High School: Whitmire (SC)
Pro Career: 14 seasons, 201 games
Drafted: Signed as a free agent by Pittsburgh in 1974.
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