Calvelli initially attended San Mateo Junior College and then transferred to Stanford University. He played college football at Stanford from 1936 to 1938.[1][2]
He was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 97th pick in the 1939 NFL draft.[3] He played for the Lions during the 1939 and 1940 seasons, appearing in 18 games.[4]
In 1941, he was inducted into the Army and played for the Moffett Field football team in 1941. In 1942 and 1943, he played center for the Second Air Force football team, including the undefeated 1942 Second Air Force Bombers football team. In 1944, he served at McClellan Field near Sacramento.