Ronnie Shelley (2015) - Hall of Fame - Troy University Athletics

Ronnie Shelley

Induction:
2015

One of the most feared defensive backs of his time, Ronnie Shelley was tough as nails on the field and the complete opposite when the shoulder pads came off.

“He was one tough guy,” Troy University Sports Hall of Fame member and Shelley’s teammate Danny Grant said. “He would hit you and it would feel like running right into a pine tree. He was mean and tough on the field, but off the field he was a little pussy cat.

“We used to have some fun times as it was always a battle to see who could win in practice,” Grant said. “We had quite a few challenges every day.”

Shelley, the fifth member of the 1968 NAIA National Championship team to enter the Troy University Sports Hall of Fame, intercepted 15 passes during the Red Waves’ run to the national title en route to earning All-America honors; his interception total that year broke his own school record for the most in a season in Troy history – a record that still stands today.

A native of Headland, Ala., Shelley’s production in the secondary was so far ahead of everybody else in the game. He intercepted eight passes in 1967, a school record at the time and currently the third most in Troy’s long history, and finished his illustrious career with 36 interceptions. His career tally is almost double that of the next player on Troy’s all-time list as Derrick Ansley ranks second with 19 career interceptions.

Shelley also holds the single-game interception record after picking off three passes against rival North Alabama in 1968. He knew what to do with the football once it was in his hands as he returned 29 of his interceptions for a school record 492 yards.

“Ronnie could have played anywhere on the field,” Grant said. “He was fast, tough and was a guy that you could always depend on because he was always ready to play. Defense was his side of the ball because he just loved to hit people. He was nice and quiet off the field, but when he put that helmet on – I’m telling you – you might as well buckle that chin strap because he would knock you down.”

A member of the Wiregrass Hall of Fame (2003), Shelley took a different route to Troy than his teammates. Shelley came to Troy straight out of high school, while the rest of his incoming class transferred to Troy from another school.

“Ronnie was the only one who hadn’t come from some other college and he could play with those older guys right out of high school,” Grant said.

Shelley had to work himself through the ranks that freshman season as he initially found himself fifth on the depth chart. However, a blown coverage by a teammate led to a touchdown and the beginning of Shelley’s career at Troy. He would later go on to record the first of his record-setting 36 career interceptions that game.

As gifted as he was an athlete, Shelley was just as successful off the field as a coach following his playing career. He led Southeastern Louisiana to an NCAA Baseball Regional, Ashford Academy to several basketball and baseball state titles and Houston Academy to a pair of softball state championships.