As part of a career scholarship program, Jordan took night classes at Washington University in St. Louis. He was convinced by coaches to join the football team.[3] He played football with the Washington University Bears as a linebacker from 1969 to 1972 and led the team in tackles for three consecutive seasons. In 1974, he graduated from the university with a degree in psychology.[4][5]
He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013 and has been considered Washington University's greatest defensive player of all time.[5]
In 1974, Jordan signed with the New England Patriots after a try-out.[8] He went on the injured reserve list before the season due to a knee injury, ruling him out for the 1974 season.[9] Jordan debuted with the Patriots in 1975.[2] In August 1975, Jordan was arrested for the possession and sale of cocaine.[10] He was sentenced to two years in prison in May 1976.[11] Jordan missed the 1976 season. He was released after serving over a year and was reinstated to the Patriots roster in July 1977.[12]
Jordan played for the Patriots for seven seasons and started in 87 games. In 1983, he signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Raiders worth $1.6 million.[3] The Raiders won Super Bowl XVIII later that season. During his four seasons with the Raiders, Jordan played in 56 games, five of which he started.[13] The Raiders placed Jordan on the injured reserve list before the 1987 season,[14] and he crossed the picket line during the 1987 NFL strike.[15]
^"Bears' Jordan Picked By Oilers". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Newspapers.com. January 31, 1973. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
^"Rozelle reinstates Jordan". The Boston Globe. Newspapers.com. July 3, 1977. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
^D'Abate, Mike (September 16, 2022). "Former Patriots OL Shelby Jordan Passes Away". Sports Illustrated, New England Patriots News, Analysis and More. Archived from the original on September 18, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
