He started 11 consecutive seasons for the Steelers and was selected to the Steelers All-Time Team, the College Football Hall of Fame, the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2020), and to the NFL Silver Anniversary Super Bowl Team.

Shell played college football for Willie Jeffries at South Carolina State University, where he was teammates with future New York Giants and Hall of Fame linebacker Harry Carson and earned All-American and all conference honors.

[2] The Professional Football Researchers Association named Shell to the PRFA Hall of Very Good Class of 2013.

[5] He played in 201 games for the Steelers, fifth most in franchise history behind Ben Roethlisberger (249), Mike Webster (220), Hines Ward (217), and Cameron Heyward (211).

[7] Shell previously served as Director of Spiritual Life at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina.