After playing college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, he was selected by the Bills in the second round of the 1961 AFL draft.

Shaw was the prototypical "pulling guard" who despite his size held his own against much bigger defensive linemen like Ernie Ladd, Earl Faison and Buck Buchanan.

[2] In 1956, his father moved the family into Vicksburg so Shaw could continue to play football at the larger Carr Central High School.

[1][3][5][6] By his senior year, Shaw weighed in at 220 pounds, earning SEC Most Valuable Lineman, All-SEC and All-American honors.

The coach worked him for two weeks as a defensive end until guard Houston Antwine injured his ankle.

"I was scared to death," Shaw recalled about playing the NFL champion Eagles in the annual all-star contest.

"[2] Shaw held his own,[1] knocking the wind out of Eagle linebacker Maxie Baughan (who had been his roommate in college) on a big hit that attracted the attention of spectators.

Additionally, his Georgia Tech coach, Bobby Dodd, encouraged Shaw to play for Buffalo.

[1][5] As a rookie, he became a starter at left guard and played in all 14 games, an accomplishment he matched for the first six seasons of his career.

[1][2] With Bills' running backs tending to be more durable than fast, Shaw became dominant as a pulling guard, often staying in front of the runners far down field.

"[5] He was especially adept on short-yardage situations, when he would pull out from his left guard position followed by Cookie Gilchrist, Wray Carlton, Daryle Lamonica or Jack Kemp.

[5] In 1999, Shaw became the first and only player ever inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame without ever playing in the NFL.