AFL Q&A: Dallas Desperados OS Jason Shelley
April 1, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
Dallas standout OS JASON SHELLEY and the Eastern Division-leading Desperados (5-2) face their division rival, the Philadelphia Soul (3-5), this Sunday on NBC at noon ET. In the teams' first meeting in Week 2, the Desperados edged the Soul, 51-47 in Dallas.
Shelley (6-2, 196, Central State-OH), now in his third AFL season, currently ranks among the AFL's top 10 receivers with 51 receptions (tie-5th) for 635 yards (9th) and 13 touchdowns. He is tied for the No. 10 spot in scoring with 90 points in seven games. He is third among Desperados career receiving leaders with 120 receptions for 1,429 yards and 26 touchdowns.
The Desperados are currently tied for No. 5 with the expansion Austin Wranglers (5-2) in the AFL Writers Association (AFLWA) weekly poll.
Prior to joining the Desperados, Shelley spent four seasons in NFL Europe, 1998-2000 with the Amsterdam Admirals and 1997 with the Frankfurt Galaxy. Overall, he accumulated 114 receptions for 1,535 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also spent time in camp with the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys.
Q: When was the first time you ever played football?
A: The first time I played football was probably as soon as I could walk with my family and brothers. The first organized football I played was Pop Warner at age 8 in Vallejo, Calif.
Q: Do you play any other sports?
A: I can play most sports. I became the first and only athlete in my high school's history to letter in four varsity sports as a sophomore (football, basketball, baseball and track). I was drafted by the Atlanta Braves and played three seasons in their minor league system.
Q: How does the AFL compare/differ from 100-yard football?
A: The field is smaller, things happen quicker and guys play offense and defense. But it is still hard-nosed, tough football.
Q: Are your children fans of your sport?
A: Yes. My daughter likes it and talks about me in school and my son just loves it.
Q: What kind of music do you listen to?
A: I listen to rap/hip-hop before a game. I like a lot of artists and songs, but I'd have to say TUPAC really gets me going because he's the greatest. E-40 is good, too.
Q: What is your favorite sport movie?
A: "Remember the Titans." Most sports movies are unrealistic or silly, but this movie was much deeper. It had meaning and substance.
Q: What makes you a good teammate?
A: I'm a good teammate because I'm easy to get along with and I play hard for them.
Q: What would you be doing if you weren't playing/coaching in the AFL?
A: If I weren't playing ball, I'd probably be coaching or doing something to help youth.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
A: That's hard to say because it depends a lot on how my body holds up.
Q: What is your favorite moment from your AFL career to date?
A: Probably scoring my first (career) touchdown (on May 25, 2002 at San Jose), because it was at home in the Bay area in front of family and friends.
Q: Which AFL arena do you think is the toughest to play in?
A: I haven't played in all of them, but for now I'd say Arizona (America West Arena). It's loud and the crowd is wild.
Q: Who is the toughest AFL player/coach you've faced in your career?
A: Every quarterback in the League is tough because they take some serious, rough shots.
Q: What two AFL teams would you like to see in the ArenaBowl this year?
A: Dallas and whoever else would be there to face us.
DID YOU KNOW? Shelley received All-America honors as a senior at Central State recording 58 receptions for 991 yards and 12 touchdowns as well as returning 10 punts for 105 yards and eight kickoffs for 191 yards. Shelley, who transferred to Central State from the University of Washington, earned USA Today All-America honors as a reserve wide receiver for the Huskies his freshman season, finishing the year with 20 catches for 382 yards (19.1) and two touchdowns. He also hauled in a 64-yard pass for a touchdown in the Rose Bowl against Michigan.
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