Ron Shipp was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He attended Hamilton High School and played football for Hall of Fame football coach, Jack Epstein. After receiving All Western League Conference and All South Bay honors for the Hamilton High School Yankees, Ron went on to East Los Angeles College and furthered his football career in 1970. In 1972, he transferred to the USC and joined the football team as a walk on.

Shipp is a former Los Angeles Police officer who is known for his friendship with OJ Simpson and his involvement in the OJ Simpson's trial. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Shipp played for the USC football team in 1972, where he met Simpson.