Larry James “L. J.” Shelton (born November 30, 1974) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for eleven seasons. He played collegiate football at Arizona State University and was selected in the fifth round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
Early life and education
L. J. Shelton was born in Santa Rosa, California. He attended high school in Palo Alto, California, where he played football and earned all‑area honors as an offensive lineman. Shelton enrolled at Arizona State University, playing for the Arizona State Sun Devils from 1993 to 1996. He started the majority of games at left tackle and received All‑Pacific-10 Conference recognition in his senior year.
Professional career
| Year | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1997–2004 | Arizona Cardinals | Drafted in the 5th round (pick 155). Became the starting left tackle in 1999 and started every game through the 2003 season. |
| 2005–2006 | Seattle Seahawks | Signed as a free agent. Served as the starting right tackle and appeared in Super Bowl XL (2006) with the Seahawks. |
| 2007 | New York Giants | Joined the Giants as a veteran backup; started several games due to injuries on the offensive line. |
| 2008 | New England Patriots (pre‑season) | Signed for training camp but was released before the regular season. |
Shelton appeared in 150 regular‑season NFL games, starting 138 of them. He was known for his versatility, having played both left and right tackle positions, and for his durability, missing few games due to injury throughout his career.
Post‑playing career
After retiring from professional football, Shelton has remained involved in athletic training and youth football coaching in the Phoenix, Arizona area. He has also participated in charitable initiatives supporting youth sports programs.
Personal life
Shelton is married and has children. He holds a degree in interdisciplinary studies from Arizona State University.
Legacy
While not inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Shelton is recognized for his consistent performance as a starting offensive tackle during a decade-long NFL career, contributing to the Seattle Seahawks' run to Super Bowl XL. His career exemplifies the role of a dependable lineman who provided stability to multiple offensive units.