Former NFL Tackle Roger Shoals Passes Away at 86

Roger Shoals, a former offensive tackle who was part of the 1964 championship team with the Browns, passed away on Monday at the age of 86.

After starting his nine-year NFL career in Cleveland, where he played for two seasons, he spent the following seven years with the Lions and one with the Broncos.

The Browns selected Shoals in the 16th round of the 1961 NFL Draft, after he had showcased his skills as a 6-foot-4, 260-pound lineman at the University of Maryland.

Interestingly, he was also picked by the Dallas Texans in the 1962 AFL Draft but opted to sign with Cleveland instead, beginning his professional journey in 1963.

Reflecting on his time playing in Baltimore, Shoals mentioned in 2014, “It was heaven. The league sent us a ring. I still looked at this old man and said, ‘What is he doing with the diamond?’

Throughout his career, he started 70 out of 104 NFL games, including every game over the last four years that he played.

In Cleveland, Shoals was a crucial blocker for Hall of Famer Jim Brown.

His obituary noted his warm personality, describing him as “friendly, charming, and candid,” and he was known for his speaking engagements at banquets and gatherings.

In his later years, Shoals resided in Gladwin, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. He also held the position of Vice President of Sales for Gould Paper Inc. and co-owned a car dealership in Berks County.

Friends have paid tribute to him online, expressing appreciation for his “big caring heart” and his dedication to hard work and success. One friend shared, “Roger embraced life and the challenges it presented. He ‘coached’ everyone he loved. I will always thank him and his family for that friendship and coaching.”

Shoals is survived by his wife Jean, their children Mike and Holly, four grandchildren, and two brothers and sisters.