Neely attended Farmington High School, where he was an All-State tackle for two years in football, and a standout center for the basketball team.

Neely, fullback Jim Grisham and halfback Lance Rentzel signed with professional teams before the game, and were ruled ineligible for the contest, which Florida State won 36–19 on the strength of four touchdown catches by Fred Biletnikoff.

[2] Neely accepted the Oilers contract offer (which also included rights to own a Houston gas station), but requested it be kept secret to remain eligible to play in the Gator Bowl.

He was injured halfway into the Cowboys victorious 1971 Super Bowl season, when he fractured his left leg in an off-road motorcycle accident; forcing him to miss the last 7 games and the playoffs.

[7] He was selected to the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team, though Neely has yet to join his bookend partner Wright, in the Pro Football Hall of Fame or in the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.