Ron Sellers

Ronald Franklin "Jingle Joints" Sellers (born February 5, 1947) is a native of Jacksonville, Florida who was an All-American wide receiver at Florida State University (1966-1968) and a former professional player in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). While at FSU, he became the most prolific wide receiver of his era, establishing numerous NCAA and school records. Despite being limited to only 30 regular season games of eligibility, the two-time consensus All American still holds 17 receiving and scoring records at Florida State. Sellers was inducted into the FSU Hall of Fame and Ring of Honor and his #34 jersey has been retired by the school. In 1988 he became the first FSU player to become a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. He was the 6th overall selection in the 1969 NFL draft for the AFL's Boston Patriots where he became an AFL All-Star. He also played for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins.

Sellers attended Paxon High School in Jacksonville where he excelled in football and basketball. He helped his team win the 1965 state basketball championship.^[1] In 2007, he was named to The State of Florida’s “100 Greatest High School Football Players in Florida History”.^[2]

Sellers went on to star at Florida State University as a split end and flanker in Bill Peterson's pro-style offense. In 1967 and 1968 he received All-American honors. He recorded 212 receptions for 3,598 yards (an NCAA record at the time) and 23 touchdowns. His number 34 jersey was retired by the school until he gave linebacker Ernie Sims permission to use it while playing for the Seminoles.

Sellers still holds 17 receiving and scoring records at Florida State University, including marks for single-season receptions (86), single-season receiving (1,496), single-game receptions (16), single-game receiving yards (270) and single-game receiving touchdowns (5). He holds the record for having 4 of the top 5 all-time games in receiving yardage in FSU history and eclipsed 200 receiving yards in a game 5 times during his college career. Sellers caught 13 or more passes in 7 collegiate contests overall and averaged more than 7 receptions and 119 receiving yards per game while wearing the Seminole uniform. Memorable games included a school record 5 touchdown receptions against Wake Forest in 1968 and a 13 catch performance in the 1967 contest in Birmingham versus Alabama in which FSU snapped a 17 game Crimson Tide winning streak in the 37-37 tie.

In 1977 he was inducted into the Florida State University Hall of Fame. The school retired his #34 jersey while adding him to their Ring of Honor. Sellers is also a member of the Gator, Peach and Sun Bowl Halls of Fame. In 1988, he was the first FSU player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

While there is some debate regarding the origin of the nickname ("Jingle Joints") he earned while at FSU, it is believed to have derived from a description of his distinctive running style and ability to perform sudden changes of direction while running routes.

Sellers was selected by the Boston Patriots in the first round (6th overall) of the 1969 NFL draft. He earned AFL All-Star honors as a rookie after making 27 receptions for 705 yards, with 6 touchdowns averaging 26.1 yards per reception.

On July 13, 1972, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a third round draft choice. That season, Sellers was promoted over Bob Hayes to take advantage of his big-play ability. He finished the year as the top receiver for Dallas with 31 receptions and 5 touchdowns, averaging 21.1 yards per catch. In the Divisional Playoff game versus San Francisco, Sellers caught the winning touchdown pass from Roger Staubach with under a minute remaining, overcoming a 15-point 4th quarter deficit. The team traded him along with a second round draft choice to the Miami Dolphins, in exchange for Otto Stowe.^[3]

In 1973 while battling injuries, he appeared in three games, catching two passes. He was released on September 10, 1974.^[4] He remains as one of the few NFL players to have played for both Tom Landry and Don Shula.

Following his professional football career, Sellers founded Sellers Benefits Group in 1975, establishing it as a diversified insurance and consulting firm based in Florida. The company has since expanded to serve clients both statewide and nationally, providing services in risk management, insurance, and retirement planning. Under Sellers' leadership, the firm and its affiliated entities have secured licensure in 15 states, primarily across the southeastern United States. Sellers earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Risk Management from Florida State University in 1969. While playing for the New England Patriots in 1970, he obtained his Series 7 securities license and became a Registered Representative with Burgess & Leith in Boston. In 1983, he was awarded the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation by The American College. The Sellers Benefits Group has developed strategic national partnerships focused on 401(k) consulting, life insurance, risk and insurance strategies, and business telecommunications solutions. The firm works closely with affinity-based organizations, including associations, group purchasing organizations (GPOs), group medical organizations (GMOs), private equity firms, and professional employer organizations (PEOs). The Sellers Family of Companies includes: Sellers Benefits Group, LLC, Key Retirement Solutions, LLC, Key Telecom Solutions, LLC, American Key Partners, LLC, and Connect 1234, LLC

Sellers has been extensively involved in professional and community activities, particularly those affiliated with Florida State University. He has served on the Florida State University Business School Advisory Board for over 20 years and was a longtime trustee of the FSU Foundation Board. In 1989, he chaired the FSU Capital Campaign Fund and served as Homecoming Grand Marshal. He was a member of the FSU Annual Fund Committee from 1991 to 1993, a founding board member of the University Center Club, and a member of the Presidential Search Committee in 1990. He was inducted into the Garnet & Gold Key Club in 1968 and named to Who’s Who in American Colleges in 1969. He also served as president of the FSU Palm Beach County Seminole Boosters in 1990 and chaired the Palm Beach County Seminole Golf Tournament for four years. Beyond his university affiliations, Sellers was a board member of the State of Florida Golf Association and served as chairman and founder of the Treasure Coast Chapter of the National College Football Hall of Fame. He has held board positions with the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Economic Development Council, and the State of Florida Sports Hall of Fame. In the private sector, he served on the board of Flagler National Bank and the Florida Petroleum & Marketers Association. He was also president of Mayacoo Lakes Country Club in 1990.

An avid golfer and tennis player, Sellers, along with former Cowboy teammate Lee Roy Jordan, captured the Professional Football Players Tennis Tournament doubles championship in Arizona. He holds a combined 11 club championships in golf at the Mayacoo Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach, Florida and the Country Club of Sapphire Valley in Sapphire, North Carolina.

While having resided in Boston, Massachusetts, Dallas, Texas, Miami, Florida, and Sapphire, North Carolina, Sellers has held a permanent residence and corporate office in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida since his retirement from the NFL in 1975.

• Florida State University Hall of Fame profile
• Ron Sellers & Associates profile