Article Ruth Baum Bigus | Photography Brian Turner and the Shields Family
Will Shields has a burning passion for two things—the game of football and helping people.
The former Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard has been successful at both. Shields, who lives in Olathe with his wife Senia and their four children, is a 14-year NFL veteran. He’s a businessman who owns 68 Inside Sports, a fitness facility in Overland Park. He’s a philanthropist, still running his Will to Succeed Foundation supporting a myriad of causes in the metro area.
“There were so many influences that helped pave the way for my involvement,” says Shields of his charitable work.
This month, Shields can add another title to his name when he is inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, and sports experts say, he is a shoo-in for the Pro Football of Hall Fame on a first ballot later this winter.
Measuring 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighing 330 pounds, Shields’ physical presence looms large, but his demeanor is that of a gentle giant. Shields takes in everything around him–and each day he looks to make the world around him a better place.
Shields’ immediate universe is Johnson County, where works and lives. The Shields chose the area because of the outstanding schools and family friendly atmosphere. His immediate family includes daughter
Sanayika, a student at Drury College, sons Shavon, a senior at Olathe North, Solomon, an eighth grader at California Trail Middle School, and son Willie Cauly, also an ONHS senior. Both Shields’ brother and sister and their families live here, as well as his father.
When Shields retired from the NFL in 2007, there was no question the family would stay here.
“When you’ve been somewhere that long, it’s home,” Shields says.
When asked what he liked best about living here, Shields responds, “What’s not to like about this area? It’s a nice place to raise a family.”
Although the Shields’ are often on the go, they enjoy going out to dinner at Barley’s Brewhaus or Rosati’s. And Will and Senia stay busy attending their sons’ football and basketball games.
Born in Fort Riley, Kan., Will Herthie Shields III grew up in Lawton, Okla., the baby of three children. Shields said he grew up in a “pretty normal” community, albeit small one, not unlike Johnson County in some ways.
Giving back was modeled for Shields by his parents and football coaches. Shields, 40, has never forgotten those lessons.
“My sixth grade football coach Mr. Ortiz was a role model; his son was our quarterback. All the coaches gave up their time to coach us in football,” Shields says. “They were giving something of themselves by doing some- thing for us.”
During high school, Shields sang in the jazz, show and honor choirs. However, it was football that took him to the University of Nebraska.
“I was the first player to play for Nebraska that had come from Oklahoma,” says Shields. “It was a good choice.”
At Nebraska, Shields said helping in the community was part of football life. Then Coach Tom Osborne was a role model for his players through several charitable endeavors and Shields helped out.
Shields was drafted in the third round in the spring of 1993 as the Kansas City Chiefs first pick. He reported to his first Chiefs minicamp the day after he got married. It wasn’t long before Shields starting racking up great football stats and building his reputation as one of the finest linemen in the NFL. He had 230 consecutive starts during his career and was a 12-time Pro Bowler. Off the field, Shields embraced the community from the very start.
“There were so many guys doing things in the community–you had to be part of it,” Shields says.
In 1993, Will and Senia started the Will to Succeed Foundation, focusing on providing financial support for organizations that assist abused/neglected women and children, increase
literacy and enhance creativity. Many organizations have benefitted from the Shields’ benevolence, including Johnson County’s SAFEHOME, Kansas Special Olympics, Operation Breakthrough and Reach Out and Read.
Helping others is part of Shields’ philosophy of life.
“Those that have ever been given anything should be giving back,” says Shields. “Once you get started, it’s hard to stop.”
“From the time they arrived in 1993, Will and his wife Senia began making a tremendous impact in the lives of disadvantaged and abused young women and children in the Kansas City Metro area,” says Lamonte Winston, former director of player personnel at the Kansas City Chiefs, now CEO of The Winston Group. “Their philanthropic commitment is going strong today, whether it’s the giving of their financial resources or more importantly the investment of their time.”
In 2003, Shields was honored with the prestigious NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which recognizes one player for his volunteer and charity work as well as his on the field excellence.
“It was cool,” says Shields of receiving the award. “It’s a community honor, not just mine.”
Shields has not slowed down since his NFL retirement. He trains high school and college athletes who hope someday to follow in his NFL footsteps and he helps coach a fifth grade team in Spring Hill with some of his neighbors.
“I love teaching the game,” Shields says. “I enjoy teaching kids and getting people ready for life.”
Is there a coaching career in Shields’ future?
“The pro level would be cool, but you have to put up with a lot. The real fun would be high school,” he says.
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