Shelly Novack's impressive athletic career began at Venice High School in California, where he shone as a star athlete, setting the stage for his future endeavors. He then further honed his skills at Santa Monica City College, before moving on to Long Beach State, where he refined his craft and prepared himself for the next level.
In 1965, his hard work and dedication paid off when he was drafted by the San Diego Chargers, marking a significant milestone in his athletic journey. However, Novack's passion for sports was not limited to playing, as he also had a hidden talent for acting.
As fate would have it, Novack's football career led him to explore the world of acting, a path that was not uncommon for athletes at the time. He leveraged his newfound platform to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, making a name for himself as a decent actor in his own right.
One of his most notable achievements in the acting world came in 1977, when he emerged victorious in the first-ever Toyota Grand Prix Pro Celebrity Race, a testament to his impressive skills on and off the field. Despite his success as an actor, Novack's true passion remained sports, a love that remained with him throughout his life.