Manu, v. I. to rise above, as a rock out of water, or a tree above other trees. That is the definition of Manu, according to A Grammar and Dictionary of the Samoan Language.
For Cleveland Browns rookie nose tackle Danny Shelton, the path to the NFL has been filled with incidents that challenged him to “rise above” the elements. Shelton, who is of Samoan and Peruvian descent, had to rise above the rigors of moving to a new country as a young boy with his brothers, along with growing up in a household with an abusive father.
Brothers you ask? Shelton had three – Gaston, Kevin and Shennon – and they were beyond close. After moving from Samoa, where they were raised by their grandparents, to California and then to Auburn, Wash., they learned to lean on each other and protect each other while growing up in neighborhood. Their undying loyalty to each other is why one fateful night in May 2011 almost changed the course for Shelton and leaving him for dead, literally.
May 1, 2011, 5 p.m. Pacific, Auburn, Wash.
It was an early Sunday evening and Gaston Shelton was out visiting a friend when he noticed a fight, stepped in and tried to break it up. The 13-year-old youth was the aggressor and Gaston wanted to find a parent or guardian of the boy. Upon running into what was found out to be the boy’s mother and older brother, 18-year-old Olenthis Woods IV, the pair ended up turning on Gaston and attacked him, punching him repeatedly in the face. Woods then found a nearby bag of charcoal and began bashing Gaston with the bag until it burst, scattering charcoal everywhere.
Gaston gathered himself and warned Woods that he would be back. He then sought out his brothers, including Danny, who had recently committed to the University of Washington and was one of their prized recruits. The brothers walked back over to Woods’ residence to confront him for what he did to Gaston. When Woods saw the brothers bee-lining for him, he ran back into the house and grabbed his gun. What happened next changed the lives of all involved forever.
The Shelton brothers stormed the front door of Woods home and kicked it in. Woods, descended from the upstairs, gun in hand, screaming at the brothers to get out of the house. They heeded his pleas, he told police, but when Woods tried to go outside Gaston made a move toward him and Woods fired his gun, hitting Gaston in the chest. Shennon tried to grab Woods and Woods turned, fired and hit Shennon in the neck. Gaston was put in critical condition as the bullet nearly hit his heart, Shennon was not as lucky as he lost his life that fateful night.
Danny was unharmed physically, but emotionally was scarred for life.
Jan 2, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Danny Shelton (55) following the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2015 Cactus Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Oklahoma State defeated Washington 30-22. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The two-time South Puget Sound League 4A North’s offensive and defensive lineman of the year was ready to embark on the next journey and focus on his path to the NFL. Shelton arrived in Seattle ready to take out his pain and anger on the gridiron. Shelton knew the best way to honor his late brother Shennon was to succeed on the field and put all his focus in achieving his goal of greatness.
Shelton excelled at UW, becoming a full-time starter in 2012 and earning All-Conference honors in the Pac-12 as a junior and senior. In his final season, Shelton put up stellar numbers recording 89 tackles (16.5 for loss) along with 9.5 sacks, propelling him to be rated as one of the top players at his position in the 2015 NFL Draft.
The Browns recognized Shelton’s work ethic along with his undying determination to succeed, drafting him in the first round, 12th overall, to be the anchor on their defensive line. Shelton walked across the stage on draft night, bear-hugging NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and wearing a button of his late brother Shennon to honor him and carry Shelton with him along the journey.
It’s no secret the Browns have had trouble stopping the run as they ranked 32nd in 2014, giving up 141.6 yards per game. Shelton helps fill a void in the middle of the defensive line, and hopes to plug it up and help to free the linebackers to attack more freely.
Shelton reportedly agreed to terms on a four-year contract (with a fifth-year team option) on Tuesday and is eager to get in and get working with defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil and crew.
Shelton made it, but the work isn’t done yet. This is just the next leg of his journey. Now it’s time to show the franchise and the fans the true power of The Blue Bow as he continues to rise above the challenges set forth for him in life.