Connelly attended Pasadena High School, where he practiced football and baseball.
He accepted a scholarship from Washington State University, playing freshman football.
Connelly was very quick for his position and as an avid weightlifter, becoming one of the strongest players on the team.
[4] An injury to Manders put Connelly back in the starting lineup during all of the 1967 season, which included the Championship game against the Green Bay Packers, popularly known as the Ice Bowl.
[5] He reported to training camp in 1968 and told head coach Tom Landry that he'd only play one more year.