Willie Shelby

Last updated

Willie Shelby
No. 30
Position: Running back
Kick returner
Personal information
Born: (1953-07-24) July 24, 1953 (age 70)
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school: Purvis (MS)
College: Alabama
NFL draft: 1976  / Round: 5 / Pick: 138
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:7
Rushing yards:14
Total TDs:2
Player stats at PFR

Willie Earl Shelby (born July 24, 1953) is a former American football running back and kick returner who played for the Cincinnati Bengals and the St. Louis Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). In 1976 as a rookie in the NFL he led the league in several kick return categories. He played college football at Alabama.

Contents

College career

Shelby played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide in 1973, 1974 and 1975. [1] He served primarily as a kick returner in 1973, but became the starting halfback as a junior in 1974. [2] He ran 84 times in 19974 for 541 yards, a 6.4 average. [1] One of his best games came on October 5 against the University of Mississippi, when he scored 2 touchdowns, including on a 58-yard run. [3] The game was particularly sweet to Shelby, as he had been called a "traitor" for attending Alabama instead of his home state school of Mississippi and had received a racist letter before the game. [3]

As a senior in 1975 he dropped to 315 yards as fullback Johnny Davis became Alabama's primary ball carrier. [1] Shelby was disappointed with his senior season. [4] He had also set a goal when he entered college "to be remembered as the best ever" but realized that hadn't happened, although he felt he would be able to become a good professional running back. [4]

Professional career

Shelby was drafted by the Bengals with the 138th pick of the 5th round of the 1976 NFL draft. [5] He got little work as a running back in 1976, rushing just 5 times all season for 9 yards. [5] But he served as the Bengals' primary kick returner. He returned 30 kickoffs for 761 yards, for a 25.4 yard per return average. [5] He also scored a touchdown on a 97-yard kickoff return against the Cleveland Browns on October 3. [6] His 761 kickoff return yards led the NFL that season, and his 97-yard return was the longest in the NFL that season. [7] His one touchdown tied with Cullen Bryant of the Los Angeles Rams for the NFL lead. [7] His 30 kickoff returns tied for 2nd in the NFL, one behind league leader Lou Piccone, and his 25.4 yards per return average tied for 9th. [7] Shelby also returned 21 punts for 162 yards, a 7.7 yard per return average. [5]

Shelby was less successful as a kick returner in 1977 and the Bengals waived him before the 1978 season. [8] He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons, but the Falcons returned him to the Bengals when a physical exam showed that he had suffered a broken collar bone in the Bengals' final preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. [8] [9] [10] The Bengals waived him again a few days later and he was claimed by the St. Louis Cardinals. [11] He played 3 of 7 games for the Cardinals as a running back and kick returner in 1978 before being waived in October in order to make room on the roster to sign running back Lawrence Barnes. [5] [12] [13]

He ended his pro career with 7 rushing attempts for 14 yards, 2 receptions for 14 yards, 58 kickoff returns for 1375 yards (a 23.7 yard average) and 42 punt returns for 302 yards (a 7.2 yard average). [5]

Related Research Articles

André N. Davis is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and kick returner in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Tech, earning first-team All-American honors in 2000. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. Davis also played for the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans in his career. While playing for Virginia Tech Davis appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allen Rossum</span> American football player (born 1975)

Allen Bonshaca Lamont Rossum is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 1998 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie Gault</span> American football player (born 1960)

Willie James Gault is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons with the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Raiders. Considered one of the fastest NFL players of all-time, Gault was a member of the Bears team that won Super Bowl XX. He was also a member of the U.S. Olympic team that boycotted the 1980 Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devin Hester</span> American football player (born 1982)

Devin Devorris Hester Sr. is an American former football wide receiver and return specialist who played in the National Football League (NFL). The only primary return specialist to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he is widely considered to be the greatest return specialist of all time. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, where he was the first player in the university's recent history to play in all three phases of American football: offense, defense and special teams. He was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft. In addition to Chicago, Hester also played for the Atlanta Falcons, the Baltimore Ravens and the Seattle Seahawks over his 11-season NFL career. He is also the only player to return the opening kick of a Super Bowl for a touchdown. Hester was selected to the NFL All-Decade Team for both the 2000s and 2010s.

Skyler Levon Green is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals and New Orleans Saints. He also was a member of the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League (AFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers, earning All-American honors.

Alexander Wright is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Raiders and St. Louis Rams. He was a two-time winner of the NFL's "Fastest Man" competition. He played college football at Auburn University.

This page details statistics about the Los Angeles Rams American football franchise, formerly the St. Louis Rams and the Cleveland Rams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernard Jackson (defensive back)</span> American football player (1950–1997)

Bernard Frank Jackson was an American football defensive back who played for three National Football League (NFL) teams. He was the 81st pick in the 1972 NFL Draft, selected by the Cincinnati Bengals as a defensive back. After five years, he was traded to the Denver Broncos in March 1977, and was a starter, including Super Bowl XII.

Paul Woodrow Palmer is an American former professional football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Barcelona Dragons in the World League of American Football (WLAF). He played college football for the Temple Owls.

Thomas Brown is an American football coach and former running back who is the passing game coordinator for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1974 Alabama Crimson Tide football team</span> American college football season

The 1974 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1974 NCAA Division I football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 80th overall and 41st season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 17th year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished season with eleven wins and one loss, as SEC champions and with a loss to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.

The 1973 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1973 NCAA Division I football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 79th overall and 40th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 16th year at his alma mater and 29th overall as a head coach, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished season with eleven wins and one loss, as SEC champions and with a loss to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1989 Detroit Lions season</span> NFL team season

The 1989 season was the Detroit Lions' 60th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 56th as the Detroit Lions, and their first full season under head coach Wayne Fontes. The team improved upon their 4–12 record from the previous season, falling to 2–9 before winning out to finish at 7–9. It was the Lions' sixth consecutive losing season, failing to reach the postseason for each of those seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Javier Arenas (American football)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1987)

Javier E. Arenas is a former American football cornerback. Arenas played college football for the University of Alabama, earned consensus All-American honors, and was a member of a BCS National Championship team. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, and Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). Arenas also had a brief stint with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Charles Irving "Charlie" Leigh Sr. was a National Football League (NFL) running back. He was the first and only NFL player to be signed out of high school. He is best known for backing up Larry Csonka and returning kicks for the Miami Dolphins' back to back Super Bowl champions in the 1972 and 1973 seasons. He also played for the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers. He played a total of six seasons in the NFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fozzy Whittaker</span> American football player (born 1989)

Foswhitt Jer'ald "Fozzy" Whittaker is an American former professional football player who was a running back and kick returner for six seasons in the National Football League (NFL), during which time he played in Super Bowl 50 with the Carolina Panthers. He also played partial seasons with the Cleveland Browns and San Diego Chargers, and was on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad for a season. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns, where he was a 2011 first-team All-Big 12 selection, in the special teams as a kick returner, and was named an honorable mention for the 2011 All-Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year. He also played in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game. He was a member of the Texas track and field team, and participated in the 2010 Big 12 Track and Field Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cordarrelle Patterson</span> American football player (born 1991)

Cordarrelle Patterson, nicknamed "Flash", is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). A versatile utility player, he plays running back, wide receiver, return specialist, and occasionally on defense. Patterson played college football for the Hutchinson Blue Dragons before transferring to the Tennessee Volunteers, where he earned first-team All-SEC honors. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and the Atlanta Falcons.

Adrion Dante "Dri" Archer is an American former professional football player who was a running back and return specialist for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kent State Golden Flashes, earning consensus All-American honors on 2012. He was selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft. He was also a member of the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills.

Wayne Allen Carter is a former American football running back. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for the New England Patriots in 1975 and 1976 after playing college football for the USC Trojans.

Lawrence Barnes is a former American football running back who played three seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Diego Chargers, St Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Willie Shelby". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  2. ↑ Browning, A. (September 13, 1974). "Willie Shelby Will Start at Halfback for Alabama". The Tuscaloosa News . p. 13. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Browning, A. (October 6, 1974). "Willie Shelby Has the Last Laugh in Tides Win". The Tuscaloosa News . p. B1. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Browning, A. (December 29, 1975). "Last Chance: Years Have Passed Quickly for Alabama's Willie Shelby". The Tuscaloosa News . p. 8. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Willie Shelby". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Cincinnati Bengals 45 at Cleveland Browns 24". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 "1976 NFL Leaders and Leaderboards". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  8. 1 2 "Falcons' Jones Wants Patience". The Tuscaloosa News . Associated Press. August 30, 1978. p. 27. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Falcons Send Willie Shelby Back". The Tuscaloosa News . September 1, 1978. p. 20. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Bengals' Anderson Not Sulking". Kentucky New Era . September 1, 1978. p. 14. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Transactions". Boca Raton News . September 7, 1978. p. 4B. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Shelby Is Cut By St. Louis". The Tuscaloosa News . October 19, 1978. p. 20. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  13. ↑ "St. Louis Cardinals Release Willie Shelby". Gadsden Times . October 20, 1978. p. 11. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.