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Two-time Super Bowl champion dies aged 64 as tributes pour in for 49ers icon whose career ended after being paralyzed

A TWO-TIME Super Bowl champion has died at 64 with tributes pouring in for the San Francisco 49ers icon. Former 49ers linebacker Todd Shell sadly passed away on November 1. Shell, who won Super Bowl XIX in 1984 under legendary…

By Ricky Westaby · The U.S. Sun

Published: Thursday, 5 November 2026 at 9:37 PM

Key Things to Know

Former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Todd Shell died at age 64 on November 1.
Shell won Super Bowl XIX with the 49ers under head coach Bill Walsh in 1984.
His playing career ended after suffering a severe spinal cord injury during training camp in July 1988.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Former San Francisco 49ers linebacker and Super Bowl XIX champion Todd Shell has passed away at the age of 64 on November 1. Selected in the first round of the 1984 NFL Draft, Shell played under legendary head coach Bill Walsh before his playing career ended following a severe spinal cord injury suffered during a training camp collision in July 1988.

Although Shell learned to walk again after the injury, he never played professional football again. Shell later transitioned into coaching in the Arena Football League with the San Jose SaberCats, Arizona Rattlers, and New York Dragons. The 49ers organization and Shell's family released heartfelt tributes honoring his life and legacy.

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