Shelby Jordan

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.

Jordan played college football at Washington University in St. Louis. In 2013, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Early life Jordan was born on January 23, 1952, in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended East St. Louis Senior High School in East St. Louis, Illinois. 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.

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. The Oilers cut Jordan during training camp. He went to work for Service Merchandise. He went on the injured reserve list before the season due to a knee injury, ruling him out for the 1974 season. Jordan debuted with the Patriots in 1975. In August 1975, Jordan was arrested for the possession and sale of cocaine. He was sentenced to two years in prison in May 1976. Jordan missed the 1976 season. He was released after serving over a year and was reinstated to the Patriots roster in July 1977.

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. The Raiders placed Jordan on the injured reserve list before the 1987 season, and he crossed the picket line during the 1987 NFL strike.

Personal life Together with his wife, Donzella, Jordan funded and directed a Los Angeles-based nonprofit corporation that provided affordable urban housing.