We are excited to be hosting our 102nd Annual Meeting, on Monday, February 1, 2021 virtually. Annual Meeting will look a little different than it has previously, but attendees can expect an equally delightful and exciting experience. You will receive the latest news from the Chamber, hear from a keynote speaker, enjoy a delicious meal from Younes Hospitality, and celebrate businesses and individuals in our community. 

WILL SHIELDS.

"To me, that was the biggest piece; being accountable to the guys you were playing with. You wanted to perform at a high level, and (by playing in every game) you got a chance to do that.”

Will Shields, a 6’3”, 320-pound guard out of Nebraska, was drafted in the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He was placed into the lineup in his first NFL game after the team’s starting left guard Dave Szott suffered an injury. He started every game from that point through his retirement after the 2006 season. Shields never missed a game during his 14-season career and his 224 games played and 223 starts are franchise records.

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As a rookie he helped the Chiefs to an 11-5-0 mark and the AFC Western Division crown. It marked the first division title for Kansas City since 1971. In all, the Chiefs won four division titles and made six playoff appearances during Shields’ career.

He earned his first Pro Bowl berth following the 1995 season and embarked on a string of 12 straight AFC-NFC Pro Bowl berths that ran through the end of his career. He was named first-team All-Pro in 1999, 2002, and 2003 and picked as a second-team All-Pro choice four other times. Shields was named All-AFC seven times including in each of his final six seasons.

Shields was the anchor of an offensive line that helped the Chiefs field potent offenses. He and his linemates helped Kansas City lead the entire NFL in total yards gained in 2004 and 2005. They also topped the AFC in that category in 2003. In 1994, he and his linemates established a franchise record by allowing a mere 19 sacks.

He is a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s. He joined Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas in 1999 as the only active players to be named to the Chiefs’ 40th Anniversary Team. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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Shields currently owns and operates 68 Inside Sports, a gymnasium and sports facility, in Overland Park, Kansas. Shields is married to his wife Senia. They have one daughter, and two sons. The Shields family resides in Overland Park, Kansas.