The Kansas City right guard will play in the NFL all-star game for the 12th straight year, which is the most consecutive Pro Bowls by a player in Kansas City history.

"I look forward to getting a Zip Pac when I get here," said Shields of the popular meal that includes teriyaki beef, luncheon meat, fried mahi mahi, fried chicken and rice. "I gotta go by Zippy's and pick me up something there. It's unique. Where else can you get a Zip Pac? That's where I stop first."

Shields also holds the Chiefs record for consecutive games played and has the second longest consecutive starting streak in the NFL behind Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers. Shields' longevity has impressed many players in the league such as New York Giants running back Tiki Barber, who will join Shields in the Pro Bowl.

"I told him, 'Will, that's a blessing,' " said Barber, who plans to retire after tomorrow's postseason classic at Aloha Stadium. "First of all, physically to be able to do it, and second to be literally the best at your position for that amount of time. Consistency is what makes people great, and he has a greatness about him."

Shields, who has played 14 seasons in the NFL, said retirement "always crosses your mind," but for now he just wants to savor the moment in Hawai'i.

"I just want to enjoy this week, and after that, let everyone know what I'm going to do," he said.

If Shields does decide to return to the Chiefs, he'll have the luxury of protecting two quality quarterbacks in Trent Green and backup Damon Huard. Green suffered a concussion in the first game of the season, and Huard filled in, going 5-3 in eight starts. The success of Huard led to some controversy when coach Herm Edwards restarted Green 10 weeks after he was knocked unconscious.

"I think it was blown out of proportion," Shields said of the so-called quarterback controversy. "Trent was our starting quarterback and he played five straight years as a starter ... Damon came in and did a great job. Don't get me wrong, he's a great player and great quarterback, but Trent was the starter and he was the guy we were looking forward to coming back in and finishing out the season."

Asked which quarterback he prefers, Shields said, "I'm used to Trent. That's the guy who has been pulling the trigger for so long. For me, it doesn't matter who is back there. I've still got to do the same job."

True to form, Shields is quick to praise teammates and opponents. He calls Baltimore Ravens defensive end Trevor Pryce the toughest he's faced in the league.

"He gives you fits," Shields said. "He does a lot of different things, and does it out of an awkward stance so you can't really get a pre-read on him. That's what I think makes it difficult for you to block him."

Even with his string of Pro Bowl selections, Shields said he sometimes manages to slip unnoticed in public.

"I blend in pretty well," said Shields, who is 6-foot-3, 320 pounds. "Because I'm an offensive lineman they don't see my face on TV, so it's pretty easy for me. I'm just sort of a big guy lumbering around. Usually when it's Pro Bowl week, you get recognized more often. Especially in downtown Waikiki."

Outside of the NFL, Shields has become a leader in community service with his wife Senia. Together they operate the "Will To Succeed" Foundation (www.willtosucceed.org) that works with battered and abused women and children.

"We've been working with kids roughly almost 14 years," said Shields, who works with 40 different community groups in Kansas City and a couple in Nebraska and Oklahoma. "It's very dear to our heart."