A Legacy in the Making
When the Nittany Lions take the field for their season opener against Marshall, the excitement will be tinged with nostalgia for a player whose name still resonates through the halls of Beaver Stadium.
Anthony "AQ" Shipley arrived in State College as a raw talent, but his willingness to line up on both sides of the ball quickly set him apart. Early in his collegiate career he rotated between defensive and offensive line, learning the nuances of each position before cementing his reputation as a true workhorse.
By the time his junior season arrived, Shipley had earned first‑team All‑Big Ten honors and was recognized as one of the nation’s premier centers. The following year he captained an offensive line that many analysts described as among the best in the country, guiding the Nittany Lions to a memorable campaign.
His performance earned him the Rimington Trophy, as well as consensus All‑American and All‑Big Ten selections, accolades that placed him among the elite linemen in Penn State history. Those achievements caught the eye of NFL scouts, leading to his selection in the seventh round of the 2009 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Over the next nine seasons Shipley appeared in 110 NFL games, starting 72 of them for the Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A neck injury sustained in 2020 forced an abrupt retirement, but not before he capped his career with a Super Bowl ring as a member of the 2020 Buccaneers roster.
Now, with just 57 days remaining until Penn State’s opening clash with Marshall, the program reflects on Shipley’s journey from a versatile lineman in State College to a champion at the highest level of professional football.
His story serves as a reminder that excellence on the line can translate into lasting impact, both on the field and in the community that continues to cheer his name.