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THe Trailblazers
Ronald "Rolo" Shegog
Football Player, South Panola High Batesville, MS
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1980 - 1982
Ronald "Rolo" Shegog is a 1982 graduate of South Panola High School. He was a member of the Tiger Football Team from 1980 - 1982 during the tenure of Coach Ronald McMinn, Darrel Arnold, Jerry Harper and Will "Pete" Robertson. During his high school career, he was named one of the Mississippi High School All-Stars in 1982 as well as All Conference. It was also during this time that he earned the name "Rolo", which was Coach McMinn's version of Ronald.
After leaving South Panola, he attended Northwest Community College, in Senatobia, Mississippi, from 1982 to 1983. There he was a part of the Rancher Football Team under the leadership of Coach Bobby Franklin. It was during this time that he was named 1982 Juco National Champion and earned the Juno National Track and Field honor in High Jumping.
His football journey then led him to Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, where he was a member of the Governors' Football Team from 1984 - 1985. Under the leadership of Coach Emery Hale and John Bowers he made Second Team All American. This paved the way for his NFL Career.
In 1985 he joined the New England Patriots out of Boston, Massachusetts, as an undrafted free agent. He made it to the last cut and was then released. He was invited back to tryout in 1986 and made the team. He was able to play half the season until he was injured and released later that year. He was the first South Panola High School football player to play in the NFL. Although his time in the NFL came to a sudden end, he was able to pave the way for many others to follow. He showed them that with hard work, discipline, and perseverance there is no limit to where you can go, what you can achieve and who you can become. He confirmed that great athletes come from small town coaching.
Ronald is the proud son of Mr. & Mrs. James Cosby and the late Tommy C. Shegog He currently resides in West Tennessee with his wife of 22 years, Lynne, and their son, Lemuel.
