We are 90 days away from college football kickoff. Have you enjoyed the countdown so far? Whose story has been your favorite? Have you learned something new, like the first Heisman recipient? As we round out the first nine days of the countdown, we have three players worth mentioning. George Webster, Donnie Shell, and Shaq Lawson.
George Webster Days Away From College Football Kickoff
Spectacular Spartan
When George Webster played at Michigan State, his coach Duffy Daugherty said, “He doesn’t tackle people. He explodes them!” Daugherty also called him “the greatest football player I ever coached.” Webster was a unanimous All-America selection twice and served as team captain. Under his leadership, the Spartans were ranked first in the nation in 1965 and second in 1966. Michigan State valued him so much that after his college career, the university retired his jersey number, making it only the second jersey ever retired at MSU. He was also chosen for MSU’s All-Time Team.
After college, Webster became the first draft pick for the Houston Oilers and was named AFC Rookie of the Year. He played five years with Houston, then spent 1972 and 1973 with Pittsburgh, followed by three seasons with the New England Patriots. After his football career, Webster became athletic director at Gulf Coast Community Services in Houston, where he worked daily with underprivileged children.
The George Webster Memorial Scholarship at MSU was established in 2007 to help former scholarship student-athletes return to MSU to complete their degree.
Another Great #90 Donnie Shell
Donnie Shell had an outstanding season for South Carolina State in 1973. Playing safety, he made 77 tackles and intercepted eight passes. The Bulldogs began the season 0-2-1 but then won seven games in a row, with Shell, the co-captain, helping lead the turnaround. Known for motivating his teammates, Shell was named to the American Football Coaches Association’s All-America team for the college division that year. In 1997, he was also selected for the Quarter Century Division II All-America team and the Black College 100-year team. Shell, who stood 5-foot-11 and weighed 198 pounds, played linebacker during his first three years at South Carolina State. He grew up in Whitmire, South Carolina, graduated in 1974, and earned a master’s degree in 1977. Shell went on to play safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1974 to 1987, winning four Super Bowls and making five Pro Bowl appearances. After retiring, he worked for the Sheridan Broadcasting Network, then became director of player and community relations for the Carolina Panthers. He has also been active with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Big Brothers & Big Sisters.
One More Great #90 Shaq Lawson
As a defensive end at Clemson, Shaq Lawson made a huge impact over three seasons and became one of the top players at his position by his junior year in 2015. He finished his career with 167 tackles, 46.5 tackles for loss, 20 sacks, 29 quarterback pressures, and two forced fumbles in 1,354 snaps across 41 games, including 16 starts. Lawson ranks eighth in Clemson history for career tackles for loss and tenth in sacks. He was the first Clemson defender since Anthony Simmons (1995-97) to record double-digit tackles for loss as a freshman, sophomore, and junior. After leading the nation in tackles for loss in 2015, Lawson was also a finalist for several national awards. He declared for the 2016 NFL Draft after his junior season and was selected in the first round as the 19th overall pick by the Buffalo Bills.
Editor’s Note: The countdown to college football kickoff has been a series on the Last Word on College Football social media platforms for the past 9 years. They consisted of a photo and a small blurb for each player, with the jersey corresponding to the number of days until kickoff. The rank of the players is sourced from articles by Bleacher Report, Fox Sports, and The Athletic. There are also some favorite players of the Last Word on College Football writers. Their bios are sourced from multiple online sources, including but not limited to the College Football Hall of Fame, their Heisman profiles, and school websites.
Main Photo: Malcolm Emmons- Imagn Images
