Category Archives: Pro Football HoF

College Football HoF, NFL, Pro Football HoF

Shell, Donnie

Upper Deck Legends 1997, #AL-24

CARD: Upper Deck Legends 1997
ACQUIRED: Ebay, 2022

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Donnie Shell played DB at South Carolina State.
  • He’d sign as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1974.
  • A key member of the secondary during the heyday of the Steel Curtain, Shell became a fulltime starter in 1977.
  • Had 6 seasons in a row of 5 or more interceptions from 1979-’84.
  • Widely regarded as one of the greatest FS during the Dead Ball Era.
  • Played 14 seasons for the the Steelers retiring after the 1987 season and 201 games.
  • At the time of his retirement, Donnie was the all-time leader at FS in interceptions, with 51.
  • Jumped into the front office after retirement working with the Carolina Panthers as the Director of Pro Player Personnel from 1994-’09.

ACCOLADES:

  • Pro Football Hall of Fame 2020
  • PFRA 2013 Class of Very Good
  • College Football Hall of Fame
  • Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team
  • Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor
  • Pro Bowl 1978-’82
  • All Pro 1979, 1980, 1982

NOTES:

Donnie was long overdue for PFHOF recognition which only underscores how disrespected the position is held by voters.

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NFL, Pro Football HoF

Mitchell, Bobby (1935-2020)

Upper Deck Legends 1997, #AL-51

Card: Upper Deck Legends 1997
Acquired: EBay, 2020

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • In 1955, halfback Bobby Mitchell set the Big 10 collegiate record for yards per attempt in a season with 8.6 per carry.
  • Led the Collegiate All-Star team in 1958 to victory over the Detroit Lions when he caught 2 TD passes.
  • Mitchell could do it all, and with his diverse athletic skillset he played 4 different positions over his career (LH, HB, FL, SE).
  • A 7th round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 1958 where he was put in the backfield with HOFer Jim Brown.
  • Used on special teams his rookie season, he had a 98 yard kick of return and a 78 yard punt return for a TD.
  • In his second season ran for 743 yards on 131 carries.
  • 232 of it came against the Washington Redskins, including a league leading 90 yard scamper.
  • Led the Browns with 45 catches for 612 yards and 4 TDs, and rushed for 4 more for the Browns averaging 4.6 yards per carry in 1960.
  • In 1962, was traded to the Washington Redskins- ironically the last team to integrate, and moved to FL.
  • Had another 90+ yard TD that year, with a kick off return against the Cowboys.
  • Posted a banner season with 72 catches for 1384 yards and 11 TDs.
  • Set a franchise record catching a 99 yard TD pass in 1963.
  • Mitchell posted another 1436 yards and 69 catches (7 TDs) that season.
  • Led the league with 10 TD grabs on 60 receptions in 1964.
  • Over the next 3 seasons, averaged roughly 60 catches a season.
  • Retired during training camp in 1969.
  • Moved into the Redskins front office as a scout and served in the front office of the franchise through 2003.

ACCOLADES:

  • Pro Bowl 1960, 1962-’64
  • All-Pro 1962-1964
  • Washington Redskins Ring of Fame
  • Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor
  • Washington Redskins #49 (retired)
  • Greatest 90 Washington Redskins
  • Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • University of Illinois Hall of Fame

NOTES:

It can not be said enough that Bobby Mitchell helped integrate the Washington Redskins, which in itself was a challenge, since the franchise was the last one to do so. He is also considered the first black player to play for the team. It was amazing that I found his certified autograph for so cheap on the secondary market.

In an era that prides itself on speed, Mitchell is one of those players who would’ve fit right in. Over his career he had NINE plays from scrimmage going 90+ yards.

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EPITAPH: 4/5/2020- Bobby Mitchell passed away at the age of 84. No cause of death was given.

NFL, Pro Football HoF

Davis, Willie (DL) (1934-2020)

Action Packed Whizzer White Award 1991, #2

CARD: Action Packed Whizzer White Award 1991
ACQUIRED: 2023, EBay

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

  • Played both ways at Grambling University- at OT and DE.
  • Selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 1956 NFL Draft.
  • Due to military commitments, did not see the field until 1958.
  • Traded to Green Bay in 1960 and played exclusively at DE.
  • A significant contributor to the Packers defensive dominance during the 60s.
  • Never missed a game during his ten seasons with the Packers.
  • Captained Green Bay to 5 NFL Championships and 2 Super Bowl wins.
  • Sacks and tackles were not officially tracked statistics, but unofficially Willie has been credited with in excess of 125 sacks, including 25 in one season.
  • Retired after the 1969 season.
  • Dabbled in color commentary and was president of a series of radio stations.
  • Served as a director on the ’84 US Olympic Committee.

ACCOLADES:

  • Pro Football Hall of Fame 1981
  • Byron Whizzer White Award 1969
  • NAACCP Man of the Year Award 1978
  • Willie Davis Day 12/21/1969
  • All Pro 1962-’67
  • Pro Bowl 1963-’67
  • Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
  • NFL All 1960’s Team

NOTES:

Willie Davis is frequently confused with the WR by the same name and vice versa. Since Davis passed away, I didn’t hold out much hope getting him on anything. The Packer legend remains in demand even after passing and I had a quick and protracted fight with another EBay buyer to get this one off their hands.

EPITAPH:

4/15/20- Willie passed away peacefully at Santa Monica Hospital due to kidney failure at the age of 85.

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