Back when pro football wasn’t about fame or fortune—but pure grit and pride—Roger Shoals was one of the men in the trenches.
On Tuesday, it was confirmed that Shoals, a former NFL lineman and champion, passed away at the age of 86.
He died on June 30 due to complications from pneumonia at Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, as first reported by The Inquirer.
From Draft Day to Championship Glory
Shoals’ NFL journey began back in 1961 when he was drafted in the 16th round by the Cleveland Browns.
A year later, the Dallas Texans of the AFL also selected him, but when it came time to turn pro in 1963, Shoals chose the Browns and the NFL.
That choice would pay off. He became part of one of the league’s powerhouses and went on to help Cleveland win the 1964 NFL Championship.
Reflecting on that proud moment in a 2014 interview with The Baltimore Sun, Shoals said:
“That was heaven. The league sent us our rings.
I still wear mine all the time—even if people see this old man and wonder why he’s got a diamond on.”
A Journeyman Career Across the League
Shoals’ time with the Browns lasted two seasons before he was traded to the Detroit Lions, where he truly cemented himself as a starter on the offensive line.
He spent six seasons in Detroit, then finished his NFL career with a final season at the Denver Broncos in 1971.
Over his nine-year career, he played in 104 games and started 70 of them at offensive tackle.
He wasn’t just a big presence on the line—he opened the way for legendary running backs like Jim Brown in Cleveland, Mel Farr in Detroit, and Floyd Little in Denver.
Working Two Jobs to Make Ends Meet
Shoals played in an era when being a pro football player didn’t come with the million-dollar paychecks we see today.
To support his family, he also worked full-time as a paper salesman—even while suiting up on Sundays.
After retiring from football, he continued in the paper industry for 30 more years and eventually became a co-owner of a car dealership in Kutztown, Pennsylvania.
A Life Lived Through Pain and Purpose
Like many of his era, Shoals lived with the lasting impact of the brutal hits and injuries that came with playing pro football.
In 2013, he was among the former players who participated in the NFL’s settlement on the long-term effects of head injuries.
Now, after his passing, Shoals’ brain will be examined by researchers at Boston University’s CTE Center to better understand the toll football took on his mental and physical health.
His participation may help future generations of players.
A Family Man Off the Field
Beyond the helmet and jersey, Shoals was a devoted husband and father.
He is survived by his wife, Jean, their son Mike, daughter Hollie, and four grandchildren.
He also leaves behind two brothers and a sister.