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).
[3] As a senior in 1975 he dropped to 315 yards as fullback Johnny Davis became Alabama's primary ball carrier.
[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.
[7] His one touchdown tied with Cullen Bryant of the Los Angeles Rams for the NFL lead.
[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.