Daimon Shelton still looks like a fullback.
He's 6-foot-1 and a doorway-filling 290 pounds, up about 30 pounds from his Sacramento State and NFL playing days. As the athletic department equipment guru for Cosumnes River College, he now zips in a golf cart from one field to the next on the south Sacramento campus, often with extension cords, a toolbox or a ladder.
On Saturday, Shelton will relive his football glory days when he's inducted into the California Community College Hall of Fame in Visalia.
Shelton was an All-American at Fresno City College in the mid-1990s when he nearly quit football and school after his mother, Florinda, died of cancer and his father, Johnnie, died of a heart attack within a six-month period.
"I was distraught," Shelton said. "I realized I needed school and coaches."
John Volek, who had coached Shelton at Fresno City and then moved on to Sacramento State, was the only coach to offer him a scholarship in 1996.
Shelton joined Volek at Sac State, Volek became a father figure, and they've remained close since. Volek, who will be at Saturday's ceremony, calls Shelton "one of the special ones."
Shelton, the nephew of 1970s Seattle SuperSonics bruiser Lonnie Shelton, went on to play 10 seasons in the NFL.
Of his experiences then and now, Shelton says, "It's become a good life."
What to watch
Men's college basketball, Pac-12 tournament, 6 p.m., PAC12, and 8:30 p.m., ESPN: Check out this doubleheader as you get ready for March Madness.
Today's poll
Who is the best football player to come out of Sacramento State?
• QB Aaron Garcia
• OL John Gesek
• DB Lorenzo Lynch
• QB Ricky Ray
• RB Charles Roberts
• FB Daimon Shelton
Vote above or leave your comments in the comments field; or go to www.sacbee.com/sports
Thursday's results
What's your take on the 49ers' acquisition of receiver Anquan Boldin?
• He adds a big-game threat to the offense: 79%
• At 32, he won't be much of a factor: 21%
Total votes: 307
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