South Carolina Football: Former Gamecock set to retire from NFL

Former South Carolina football star Brandon Shell signed an offseason contract with the Buffalo Bills with the intention of fighting for a starting role on the offensive line for one of the best teams in the NFL. Shell, the nephew of Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Shell, appeared ready to contribute for the Bills after starting over 60 games at both tackle spots during his 6-year career.

Things appear to have changed for the Goose Creek, South Carolina native, however. It appears that the Bills will be without an important depth piece on their roster as Shell did not report to practice on Tuesday and has let multiple team sources know that he intends immediately to retire from football.

Shell, who had just played in the Bills’ first preseason game over the weekend, was most likely in line to be the team’s third offensive tackle behind projected starters Dion Dawkins (left tackle) and Spencer Brown (right tackle).

During his South Carolina football career, Shell was a four-year starter for the Gamecocks who spent time at both left tackle and right tackle. Shell was a part of two 11-win Carolina teams and three Bowl champions (Outback Bowl vs. Michigan after the 2012 season, Capital One Bowl vs. Wisconsin after the 2013 season, and Independence Bowl vs. Miami after the 2014 season).

Shell blocked for some of the best to ever play for the Gamecocks, leading the way for running backs like Marcus Lattimore, Mike Davis, and Brandon Wilds and pass blocking for quarterbacks Connor Shaw and Dylan Thompson.

The All-SEC performer was drafted in the 5th round by the New York Jets in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Since entering the National Football League, Shell has played for the Jets, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, and Bills. Until this offseason stint with the Bills, Shell had earned a starting job at each stop along the way.

Shell’s retirement comes just before his 7th NFL season began.