Former NFL champ Roger Shoals dead at 86

Roger Shoals, a former NFL offensive tackle and 1964 champion with the Cleveland Browns, died Monday at age 86. He played nine NFL seasons, spending his first two years with Cleveland, followed by seven with the Detroit Lions and one with the Denver Broncos.

Selected by the Browns in the 16th round of the 1961 NFL Draft after playing college football at Maryland, Shoals was also chosen by the Dallas Texans in the 1962 AFL Draft but signed with Cleveland. His career began in 1963, and he won an NFL championship the following season—a victory he later described as "heaven," noting he wore his championship ring constantly despite curious onlookers.

Standing 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, Shoals started 70 of his 104 career NFL games, including every contest in his final four seasons. He notably served as a key blocker for Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown during his tenure with the Browns.

Post-retirement, Shoals was known for his "affable," "engaging," and "candid" personality, frequently speaking at banquets. He later lived in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, working as vice president of sales at Gould Paper Corp. and co-owning a Pennsylvania car dealership. Tributes highlighted his "big caring heart" and relentless "spirit for hard work and success," with friends recalling how he mentored loved ones through life's challenges.

Shoals is survived by his wife Jean, children Mike and Hollie, four grandchildren, two brothers, and a sister.