Athletics – Football
Shields NU’s 15th College Hall-of-Famer recruited by Nebraska, become a part of its tradition and
By Randy York, ’71 For Will Shields, Tuesday, Dec. 6, was a clear day, and
play under the leadership of (head coach) Tom Osborne and
he could see forever. The Husker All-American, Outland
(offensive line assistants) Milt Tenopir and (the late) Dan
Trophy winner, 12-time All-Pro, NFL Man-of-the-Year and
Young. “They gave me the chance to blossom as a young
new Hall-of-Famer looked back, enjoyed the moment and
man. The University of Nebraska is a great place for a kid to
saw the landscape of his entire career flash before his eyes.
go grow and prosper and mature.
“It’s a very special day, and we were informed that we
“A lot of memories reach out and grab you but Kenny
are .0002 percent of the qualified players to be in the Hall
Walker was one I’ll never forget. He was deaf and couldn’t
of Fame,” Shields said before the National Football Founda-
hear on Senior Day. So instead of clapping for him, our fans
tion’s Annual Awards Dinner at New York City’s Waldorf
did a hand wave. It was amazing to be there and know that
a great opportunity to build a bridge between the university
Astoria Hotel, where he became Nebraska’s 15th player
the whole stadium was silent. All you could see were their
and the community and then become a professional athlete
inducted into College Football’s Hall of Fame.
hands waving. It was something unique and something that
and have the opportunity it provided for my family.”
Four important thoughts kept racing through Shields’ mind amidst all the hoopla surrounding this historic day: 1) Nebraska was his springboard to blossom as a
you still carry with you because those were the guys that al-
College Football Hall of Fame inductee, Will Shields.
Shields credits Nebraska alum Dave Redding for the
ways made you better and helped you become who you are.
mindset he endorsed almost daily. “He was my strength
They’re woven into Nebraska’s tradition just like you are.”
coach with the (Kansas City) Chiefs,” Shields said of Red-
Then, Shields brought up something that remains part
ding, “and his favorite expression was ‘Always remember,
2) Silence is still golden.
of his DNA: “I’ll always remember volunteering to become
they’re paying you to play a game you love.’ It helped me
3) Lincoln helped him learn the value of giving back.
a TeamMate and helping someone in need,” he said. “For
think about opportunity, history and pure love of the game.
4) Getting paid to play a game you love is the rarest of
me, it was the beginning of realizing how you could go out
It also helped me understand how the game can change
and help your community and how you can become a part
your life because you have the opportunity to go out there
“Being an offensive lineman, it’s unbelievable to be a
of a whole social network. The simple fact of already having
every single day and represent the values of the University of
part of this group,” Shields said. “I was so fortunate to be
a coach there doing that was inspiration enough. It was also
Nebraska.”
student, an athlete and a man.
opportunities.
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The 13th Annual Nebraska Magazine Writing Contest We’re looking for a few good writers. Whether you’re an ardent alumnus, nostalgic Nebraskan, prolific professor or student scribe, here’s your chance. Show us your work. There are two categories, with prizes awarded in each category, along with a byline in Nebraska Magazine. Category One: Alumni Profiles Write about a Nebraska grad with an interesting hobby or career, or do a “where are they now?” piece on an alumnus who was well known during his/her student days. Category Two: Nostalgia Pieces Tell us about a memorable student activity when you were at NU, or write about a favorite professor. Prizes: Three prizes will be awarded in each category. In addition, the winning articles will be published in future issues of Nebraska Magazine. 1st Prize - $500 2nd Prize - $250 3rd Prize - $100 Entry Details Articles must be 750 to 1,000 words in length and typewritten. Enter as many articles as you wish. Entry deadline is April 15, 2012. Submit entries, along with the author’s name, address and phone number to: Magazine Writing Contest, Wick Alumni Center, 1520 R St., Lincoln, NE 68508-1651, FAX: (402) 472-9289, E-mail: nebmag@huskeralum.org