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FOR USE AS DESIRED ART SHELL NAMED PLAYER DISCIPLINE APPEALS OFFICER Pro Football Hall of Famer ART SHELL has been appointed by NFL Commissioner PAUL TAGLIABUE to serve as the appeals officer for on-field player discipline, the NFL announced today. Shell will hear and decide upon all appeals by players of disciplinary action issued by NFL Director of Football Operations GENE WASHINGTON. Under the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, the appeals of players who have been fined or suspended for on-field rules violations are decided by the Commissioner or his designee. The choice of a designated appeals officer is based upon an evaluation of candidates by Commissioner Tagliabue and GENE UPSHAW as executive director of the NFL Players Association. Shell’s NFL coaching experience made him especially well-qualified to serve in this role in the view of both men. After a Hall of Fame playing career, Shell became the Los Angeles Raiders’ offensive line coach from 1983-89, and was named the team’s head coach during the 1989 season. He compiled a 56-41 won-lost record as head coach through the 1994 season. Shell was the offensive line coach of the Kansas City Chiefs from 1995-96, and Atlanta Falcons from 1997-2000. Shell will assume his new duties next week and work out of NFL headquarters in New York City. For the past year, he has been representing the NFL on college relations matters, and will continue to do so. He also is a regular columnist for NFL.com, the league’s official web site. The 55-year-old Shell was selected to the Hall of Fame in 1989 after an outstanding career as an offensive tackle with the Raiders from 1968-82. Shell was drafted by the Raiders in 1968 in the third round out of Maryland State-Eastern Shore. He played in 207 regular-season games and 24 playoff contests, including Super Bowls XI and XV. He also appeared in eight Pro Bowls. # # # |