Established by Will Shields, former Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Right Guard, the Will to Succeed Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, operating within the Kansas City Metro area, facilitates programs, provides assistance and resources to individuals, families and other charitable organizations who have little or no access to other aid. Most specifically, "Will to Succeed" seeks to inspire, guide and improve the lives of abused, battered and neglected women and children.

 

  

 

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 Will Herthie Shields loves family and football, helping others and is described by many as a "gentle giant." Of course, that doesn't show on the field at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium where he has established himself as one of the NFL's finest offensive right guards. Welcome to Will's world and his "foelife" commitment to family and community.   

Will was born on September 15, 1971, at the then home of the "Big Red One" military base located at Fort Riley, Kansas, to Rosie and Will Shields II.  Their third child, Will has one brother and one sister.  

Will's abilities blossomed at Lawton, Oklahoma's, Lawton High School where his talents garnered him many distinctions in both athletics and vocal music:  

  • Member of the track squad

  • All-state selection in football

  • Lettered three years as an offensive guard and defensive tackle

  • Named state high school "lineman" of the Year by the Daily Oklahoman

  • The first football player from Oklahoma to play for the University of Nebraska

  • Participated in Jazz & Assembly Choir, earning a perfect score in his first state solo 

Attending the University of Nebraska, life was more than just football for Will.  During his college days, he participated as a volunteer in many Big Brother and Big Sister programs where he came to understand the need for children to have positive role models in their lives. Through his experiences, Will developed the strong belief that if parents (& other adults) take time with children, those children’s lives can be improved.  The results are happier, more productive citizens in the future.  Will also realized the key ingredients needed to attain these results were opportunity, education and development of self-esteem. This understanding defined how he would help others in the future.

Will's list of accomplishments and accolades while attending the University of Nebraska include:  

  • First Husker lineman since center Dave Rimington (1980) to earn conference first team honors as a sophomore.

  • Second team All-America pick by AP and first team All-Big Eight as a junior.

  • First team All-America selection of AP, Football News, Walter Camp and Kodak and consensus All-Big Eight choice as a senior.

  • Outland Trophy winner (second Outland winner to play for the Chiefs--Bobby Bell,1962).

  • Finalist for Lombardi Trophy in 1992.

  • Three-time, All-Big Eight choice.  

Will entered the NFL as a third round draft pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993 and where he just completed his 12th season, by earning a ninth consecutive Pro Bowl. 

Will, his wife Senia and their three children, daughter, Sanayika and sons, Shavon and Solomon, reside in Overland Park, Kansas.  They established the "Will To Succeed" Foundation in1993, their first year in Kansas City, to address the needs of battered and abused women and children.