Shelby Lewis Jordan (January 23, 1952 – September 9, 2022) was an American professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Raiders from 1975 to 1986. He was a member of the 1983 Raiders team that won Super Bowl XVIII.
| No. 63, 74, 64 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Offensive tackle |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | January 23, 1952 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died: | September 9, 2022 (aged 70) |
| Height: | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Weight: | 260 lb (118 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | East St. Louis Senior (East St. Louis, Illinois) |
| College: | Washington University in St. Louis |
| NFL draft: | 1973 / round: 7 / pick: 157 |
| Career history | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Jordan played college football at Washington University in St. Louis. In 2013, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Early life
editJordan was born on January 23, 1952, in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended East St. Louis Senior High School in East St. Louis, Illinois.[1][2]
College career
editAs part of a career scholarship program, Jordan took night classes at Washington University in St. Louis. He was convinced by coaches to join the football team.[3] He played football with the Washington University Bears as a linebacker from 1969 to 1972 and led the team in tackles for three consecutive seasons. In 1974, he graduated from the university with a degree in psychology.[4][5]
He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013 and has been considered Washington University's greatest defensive player of all time.[5]
Professional career
editThe Houston Oilers selected Jordan in the seventh round, with the 157th overall selection, of the 1973 NFL draft.[3][6] The Oilers cut Jordan during training camp.[7] He went to work for Service Merchandise.[3]
In 1974, Jordan signed with the New England Patriots after a try-out.[8] He went on the injured reserve list before the season due to a knee injury, ruling him out for the 1974 season.[9] Jordan debuted with the Patriots in 1975.[2] In August 1975, Jordan was arrested for the possession and sale of cocaine.[10] He was sentenced to two years in prison in May 1976.[11] Jordan missed the 1976 season. He was released after serving over a year and was reinstated to the Patriots roster in July 1977.[12]
Jordan played for the Patriots for seven seasons and started in 87 games. In 1983, he signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Raiders worth $1.6 million.[3] The Raiders won Super Bowl XVIII later that season. During his four seasons with the Raiders, Jordan played in 56 games, five of which he started.[13] The Raiders placed Jordan on the injured reserve list before the 1987 season,[14] and he crossed the picket line during the 1987 NFL strike.[15]
Personal life
editTogether with his wife, Donzella, Jordan funded and directed a Los Angeles-based nonprofit corporation that provided affordable urban housing.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Shelby Jordan Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ a b "Shelby Jordan's Long, Rocky Road Winds Its Way Home". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. November 2, 1975. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d Durando, Stu (June 8, 2020). "Shelby Jordan blossomed into football greatness at Washington University". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ Mitchell, Chris (June 10, 2013). "Alum Shelby Jordan among seven to be inducted into College Football Hall of Fame – The Source – Washington University in St. Louis". The Source. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Shelby Jordan (2013) – Hall of Fame". National Football Foundation. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "Bears' Jordan Picked By Oilers". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Newspapers.com. January 31, 1973. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
- ^ "Oilers trim four players". Brownwood Bulletin. Newspapers.com. August 30, 1973. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
- ^ "New England Signs WU's Shelby Jordan". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Newspapers.com. September 8, 1974. Archived from the original on September 18, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
- ^ "Shelby Jordan – Injured Reserve". Evening Express. Newspapers.com. September 12, 1974. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
- ^ Sullivan, Jerome (August 7, 1975). "Patriots' player held in cocaine sale". The Boston Globe. Newspapers.com. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
- ^ "Jordan given 2 years in prison for cocaine sale conviction". The Boston Globe. Newspapers.com. May 3, 1976. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
- ^ "Rozelle reinstates Jordan". The Boston Globe. Newspapers.com. July 3, 1977. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
- ^ "All-Time Roster | Shelby Jordan". Las Vegas Raiders. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "2 Sep 1987". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Newspapers.com. September 2, 1987. p. 27. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ "1 Oct 1987". Times Recorder. Newspapers.com. October 1, 1987. p. 15. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ "Former Patriots Offensive Lineman Shelby Jordan Passes Away". New England Patriots. September 16, 2022. Archived from the original on September 16, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
- ^ "College FB Hall of Famer, NFL OL Shelby Jordan dies at 70". AP NEWS. September 16, 2022. Archived from the original on September 18, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
- ^ D'Abate, Mike (September 16, 2022). "Former Patriots OL Shelby Jordan Passes Away". Sports Illustrated, New England Patriots News, Analysis and More. Archived from the original on September 18, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022.