JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville University Athletics sends its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of former football player Lin-J Shell, who passed away unexpectedly on Thursday.

Shell was a standout defensive back and return man for the Dolphins from 1999-02, who was inducted into the JU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.
 
"I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the family of Lin-J Shell," said Athletic Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert. "The JU family mourns with them.

"He was a beloved athlete, friend, and member of the community, as well as someone who embodied the fighting spirit of JU on- and off-the-field."
 
A First Team All-Pioneer Football League selection as a return specialist as a senior in 2002, he averaged 21.2 yards per kick return and 13.1 yards per punt return that season. He was a Preseason Second Team All-American going into that year.
 
He was named First Team All-PFL at cornerback as a junior in 2001, and was Honorable Mention All-PFL that same year as a return specialist. He led the team with five interceptions that season, tied for the single-season mark in program history, including nabbing a pick in four consecutive games at one point. He started eight games as a sophomore and contributed as a true freshman in seven games as well. His career punt return average of 13.1 yards is the best in JU history, and he is fourth all-time in kickoff return yardage and tied for sixth in career interceptions.
 
After graduating, Shell moved on to play professionally in the Arena Football League for the Orlando Predators in 2004, and again from 2006-07. After a stint with the New Orleans VooDoo in 2008, he went north of the border to the Canadian Football League and played for four teams, winning a Grey Cup with the Calgary Stampeders and being named a CFL East All-Star twice with the Toronto Argonauts.
 
Shell taught and coached locally in Jacksonville for years, and made headline news for disarming a woman with a handgun in 2018 in the school gym at Jean Ribault High School and most recently was on staff at Andrew Jackson High School.