PRESS COVERAGE: WILL SHIELDS

by E. Spencer Kyte, Bugs and Cranks

If you want to know how important Will Shields was on the field, look at the Kansas City Chiefs rushing stats this season. They were no where near as productive as they had been in years passed. Will Shields' retirement had something to do with that.

Shields is one of those guys the average football fan doesn't know enough about. The average sports fan has absolutely no idea who he is, which is exactly what this column is all about. Well, it's half of what this column is all about. Being good on the field is half of it; being good off the field is the other half. Will Shields has both halves covered as you'll soon find out.

Neither you or I show up to work every day of the year. We get sick. We fake sick. Will Shields showed up for work every day of the year for 14 straight years. 230 straight times that he was asked to show up, he showed up.

You read that correct - 230 straight times. Did I mention that Will Shields was an Offensive Lineman? No, now I did. This isn't a punter turning up 230 straight times, this is a guy walking onto the field and getting into the trenches 230 straight times, second longest of all time next to some guy name Favre.

A February trip to Hawaii was a part of Will Shields' football life for 12 consecutive seasons. You see, we're not talking about a guy who just turned up every day; this is a man who performed at the highest level each and every day for 230 straight games, including playoffs. Off the field, Will Shields was and still is just as incredible.

The 2003 recipient of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, Shields' Will to Succeed Foundation "seeks to guide and inspire, empower and improve the lives of those less fortunate by providing financial, educational and other everyday resources to those identified as most in need.

He reads to kids at the YMCA.

There are college scholarships for Kansas City area students.

He pays for eye examines and glasses, school supplies and classes for aspiring musicians who otherwise wouldn't have such an opportunity.

This is a man who dons a Cat in the Hat hat every March and reads to kids in celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday.

This isn't a man who lends his name to a cause; Will Shields is hands on and involved from the first step through to the finish. Much like he was committed to the Kansas City Chiefs for fourteen seasons and 230 consecutive games, Will Shields is committed to making a difference in the lives of others. I'm sure he already has many times over.

This is what we need to report on. These are the stories that need to be told and the lives that need to be looked at. This is worthy of Press Coverage...