Why Hall of Famer Donnie Shell Promised to ‘Give God the Glory’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Donnie Shell joined Sports Spectrum to discuss his faith over the years and how he used his Hall of Fame speech to glorify God.
Shell played from 1974-1987 for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He became a 5-time Pro Bowler, a 4-time Super Bowl Champion and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Despite his success, Shell recognized that nothing could compare to his relationship with God.
“You know as you grow in the Lord, I remember making the Pro Bowl and I remember being in Hawaii and going out on the balcony and praying and telling God, ‘Lord if all these things will take my relationship away from You then I don’t want it. I’d rather have my relationship with You. So, please help me to grow so I won’t separate myself or walk away from You because of these things,” he shared with Sports Spectrum.
God continued to bless his career, and when Shell found himself in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he gave all the glory to God.
“Without question, I made God a promise. ‘You opened the door for me to get in, I’m going to give you the glory for it,” Shell said. “That was me giving God the glory for me waiting on Him and His timing. It was very intentional.”
In his Hall of Fame speech, Shell said, “First, I’d like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for this award.”
“I would just like to leave you with a few words of a Scripture, encouraging words of Scripture for you,” he continued. “We have this treasure in earthen vessels and jars of clay. The power of God ourselves. Sometimes we are hard pressed on every side, we are perplexed but not in despair. We are persecuted but not forsaken. We are struck down, but not destroyed.”
He added, “Romans 5:3-5, not only that, but we also Glory in tribulations knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance improving character, improving character to hope and hope becomes the love of God in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.”
“We must be steadfast, unmovable, always arriving in the work of the Lord knowing that your belief in the Lord is not in vain. In closing, we in the United States must become servant leaders. A servant leader is motivated by love,” Shell finished.
Shell frequently emphasizes the importance of being a servant leader, telling CBN that he wants that trait to define his legacy.
“Be a servant leader, one who’s motivated by love and humility but demonstrated by example,” he said. “We change as we grow in Christ. We change on the inside out. So, people will see less of us and more of Jesus Christ. That’s the legacy I would like to leave.”
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