JONESBORO, Ark. (7/11/13) – Arkansas State continues its “Throwback Thursday” segment on its athletics Web Site, AStateRedWolves.com, with former football star Elbert Shelley as the fourth former student-athlete to be profiled.  “Throwback Thursday” highlights former A-State student-athletes and their current endeavors.  The segment provides readers with biographical information on the former student-athlete and features a question-and-answer session, including questions about their time at Arkansas State and their current career.

Shelley was a two-year starter and four-year letterman on the Arkansas State football team from 1983-86.  He was an all-state selection at Trumann High school and finished his career with 1,687 yards rushing.  His first two years at ASU were spent at running back with only a little playing time, but he was moved to safety before his junior season.  Once at safety, he blossomed into one of ASU's greatest defensive backs in history.  He started eight games as a junior and had 38 tackles, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and five pass deflections while earning Honorable Mention All-Southland Conference honors.  During his senior season he recorded 65 tackles, two interceptions, one sack, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.  He earned Second Team All-Southland Conference honors while playing for one of ASU's most successful teams in its history that went 12-2-1 and finished as the Division I-AA national runner-up in 1986.

Q & A Session with Elbert Shelley 

Why did you choose to attend Arkansas State?    

It was really close to home, so I liked that part very much.  I didn't get a whole lot of offers, but Arkansas State was definitely the best choice.  It was nice to have so many friends and family able to attend my games, along with fans from my hometown.

What stood out about ASU and its football program to you? 

I went to a football camp at ASU after my junior year and I really liked the coaching staff.  I really enjoyed being around them and appreciated all the help and direction they gave me.  Coach Keane especially stood out to me at the camp.  He was just one of those guys you felt like you really wanted to play for.  He was very player friendly, knowledgeable, and made me want to go out and give my all.  I came into the camp as a running back, but Coach Keane mentioned something at this camp about how good my hips were and how I would be a great defensive back if I moved to that side of the ball.

What are your most memorable moments from ASU football?

The most memorable thing to me is when I was in the weight room before my junior year one day.  Coach Lacewell called me into the office and he asked me which position I wanted to play. Well, I had played running back all through high school and my first two years at ASU.  I wasn't getting much playing time at running back so I said, “Which ever one I could play the most at.”  He said, “Good answer son, I'm moving you to safety and I may have just put you in the pros.”  That stood out for me, because it actually happened.  I had never really thought about playing pro ball before that.  It wasn't really a dream of mine or a goal of mine until he said that.

What were some of your highlights from your playing days at ASU? 

Winning conference championships in back-to-back years in 1985 and 1986 was fun obviously.  My senior year was really special because we were so good and got to play Georgia Southern in the championship game.  One of the things I look back on was our progress throughout my time there as well.  We won five games my freshman season and then won eight the next year, nine the next season, and 12 my senior year.  I'm really proud of that.

What was it like to play for Coach Lacewell and his coaching staff? 

I had heard he was a really good coach before I got on campus.  I still remember the first day we had practice and one comment he made was that he went after the best athletes.  We could have won a track meet with the guys we had on the team.  He was a pretty sincere guy and that was very important to me.  He always gave it to the players straight too.  I appreciated that very much and gained a lot of respect for him because of that.  I was always fond of Coach Keane as well even when I met him at the camp after my junior season in high school.  I do remember getting chewed pretty good one day by Coach Mitchell, our running backs coach. We were doing this drill when I was a running back and I didn't know what to do.  It was a goal line situation though and since I was confused and not sure of the drill I fumbled.  Coach Mitchell was pretty upset and he threw his hat as far across the field as he could, and basically said you can give up anything else, but you never give up the football!

What did it feel like to be drafted and were you nervous at all? 

Getting drafted was interesting for sure.  I had been predicted to go in the late rounds or sign as a rookie free agent.  I ended up getting picked in the 11th round by the Atlanta Falcons and I was actually asleep when I got the phone call.  They said they were flying me into Atlanta the next day and wanted to meet me.  It was a big deal for a small town, country boy going to Atlanta.  It was the biggest plane and biggest airport I had ever been in and was a huge culture shock for me.  I was pretty nervous at first.

What was your pro career like?

The talent there was so unreal and we had great players.  Knowing you're on that level is such a good feeling.  The biggest compliment you can get though is when players that are lining up across from you are telling you they like the way you play.  Those were some good moments and getting complimented by them was a great feeling.  I ended up playing for 10 years, all with the Falcons.  I remember some reporter asking me how long I planned on playing.  My answer was, “Ask me in 10 years,” and it was funny that I, sure enough, ended up playing exactly 10 years.  I realized I was the oldest person or one of the oldest people in the locker room one day when I looked around and thought to myself maybe it was time to go.  I had a pretty good career.  I was a four-time pro bowler and that was a big honor of course.  We had some winning seasons and I played for three different coaches.  I really enjoyed playing in Atlanta and have great memories from my playing days.  I mainly played special teams and third down situations and I really started to enjoy playing a lot more and making an impact in the game in those situations.  I was actually named Special Teams Player of the Year one season and I honestly didn't even know it existed before I won it, but all the individual accomplishments were nice to receive.  It's a good feeling to know you're good at your job.

What did you do after the NFL and what is your career now? 

I initially ran a limousine service that I started a little bit before I retired.  I ended up doing that for about four years and then went to work in the land erosion business in Alabama and Georgia.  Currently, I am a sheriff's deputy in Gordon County, Georgia.  It's about an hour north of Atlanta.  I am also a school resource officer and I really enjoy that.  All the schools here are required to have law enforcement in the schools and you have to be certified to do it.  I take care of legal issues, kind of a security officer too, and things like that in the school.  I also do lots of counseling with the kids there and I'm a cornerbacks coach on the high school football team.

What experiences at ASU helped you to get to where you are today? 

When I was at ASU, I set goals for myself.  I wanted to get an education and stay focused.  I accomplished that and the experience of going to college to go along with playing college football has helped me tremendously today.  It's nice to be working in the school where I can share my experiences with the kids and many of them can relate with the football part for sure.  In becoming a deputy I have to be disciplined and it helped that I got to where I am without any roadblocks and getting into trouble.  Coach Lacewell was very much a disciplinarian and taught that to us.  I was very seldom disciplined by him, apart from maybe being late once or twice, but it's still a lesson I learned.  I didn't want to be disciplined by him.  Being a deputy, school resource officer, and coach is like football.  You have all eyes on you and being at ASU certainly helped prepare me for my professional career.

How much do you keep up with the program?