Huskers Making Impact in NFL

Several former Nebraska football players continue to make an impact in the National Football League, including several active Huskers in the pros and one all-time NFL great.

Shields Named Finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame
Former Nebraska and Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Will Shields has been named one of 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2012. Shields was the only first-year-eligible player nominee to make the list of finalists.

A 44-person selection committee will meet on Feb. 4 in Indianapolis to determine this year's honorees. No more than five modern-era players can be chosen in a given year and a finalist must receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent to be elected.

Shields spent his entire 14-year career from 1993 to 2006 with the Chiefs and started 231 consecutive games including the playoffs. Shields was a 12-time Pro Bowl selection (1995-2006) and he was also named the NFL Man of the Year in 2003 for his charitable work off the field.

Shields is one of the all-time great offensive linemen at Nebraska, capturing the Outland Trophy in 1992. In 2011, Shields was officially inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Nicks Earns All-Pro Honors, Pro Bowl Trip
New Orleans Saints offensive guard Carl Nicks was recently chosen as a first-team NFL All-Pro pick by the Associated Press, marking his second straight season receiving the prestigious honor. Nicks was also selected as a starter for NFC in the Pro Bowl, his second straight year making the trip to Honolulu.

The 6-5, 343-pound Nicks played at Nebraska in 2006 and 2007 and earned second-team All-Big 12 honors during his senior season. His play this season, has helped New Orleans lead the NFL in passing offense and total offense, while ranking second in scoring. Nicks has started every game the past three seasons and 61 games in his four-year NFL career.

Six Former Huskers Remain in NFL Playoffs
Nicks leads a group of six former Huskers who are on teams that remain active in the NFL Playoffs.

Linebacker Scott Shanle is in his ninth NFL season and joins Nicks on the Saints roster. Shanle played in every game this season and registered 69 tackles during New Orleans' 13-3 regular season. After a 45-28 victory over Detroit in the wild card round, the Saints travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

The Baltimore Ravens are set to begin their playoff run with two former Huskers on the roster. Punter Sam Koch is among the NFL leaders, averaging 46.5 yards per punt for the AFC North champions. Koch is joined on the Raven roster by rookie offensive lineman D.J. Jones, who has yet to appear in a game for Baltimore. The Ravens take on the Houston Texans at Noon on Sunday.

Rookie cornerback Prince Amukamara has seen regular action in recent weeks for the New York Giants after missing much of the early part of the year with a foot injury. The Giants opened the playoffs with an impressive 24-2 victory over Atlanta and now travel to Green Bay to take on the Packers at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Veteran Russ Hochstein has played in 15 games for the Denver Broncos in 2011, and started Denver's Wild Card win over Pittsburgh at right guard after an injury to the Broncos' regular starter. Hochstein and the Broncos will travel to New England on Saturday night at 7 p.m. for an AFC Divisional Playoff contest.

Nebraska has had a total of 50 former Huskers make 66 combined appearances in the Super Bowl, and at least one Husker has appeared in 17 of the last 18 Super Bowls.