Shell’s play speaks for itself

Brandon Shell, a great-nephew of NFL and UMES Hall of Famer Art Shell, keeps low profile during recruiting. Brandon is ranked #74 by Rivals.com and is the #4 ranked recruit in South Carolina. He has a 5-star rating by Scout.com., and is already being projected as an NFL 1st round draft pick.

At first, the man whom some would call an NFL icon would sit in his car in the Goose Creek High (Goose Creek, South Carolina) parking lot. Apparently, the last thing Art Shell wanted to look like was a meddler. Yes, his great-nephew Brandon was a budding star at offensive tackle, the same position Art played on his way to a Hall of Fame career. But Art just sat in his car and watched Brandon. And Goose Creek coach Chuck Reedy kept on coaching.

“Not anything other than supportive,” Reedy said of Art’s involvement. “He will be involved in the process, but he’s not gonna tell him where to go.” Gradually, Art Shell has started to take on more of a role in the race between colleges for his great-nephew’s services. Art got out of the car and attended a couple practices, a scrimmage and a game. And, consciously or not, there is an obvious influence on Brandon Shell. Art Shell, who was born in Charleston, S.C., was named to eight Pro Bowls during an illustrious playing career. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.

But he may be best known for being the first African-American coach in the NFL modern era (L.A. Raiders, 1990). Today, there are six black head coaches in the NFL, and three of the past four Super Bowls have featured a team with at least one black coach. Since he was fired in 1994, Shell has spent most of his time as an assistant coach or working for the NFL, except a one-year return to coach the Raiders in 2006. He lives in Atlanta.


WARNING: MUSIC is Offensive!!! Please mute sound. Video provided by tramelterry1's, a third party, and is NOT a reflection of Brandon Shell or MEAC/SWAC Sports Main Street.

Now along comes Brandon, who at 6-foot-8 and 280 pounds reminds everyone of his great-uncle. College recruiters see the potential, with more than 30 offers to Shell, who recently whittled his list to South Carolina, Clemson, Alabama and Georgia.

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