Duke Shelley

Duke Shelley's Biography

YaQuis Bertron “Duke” Shelley, an ambitious American professional footballer, was born on October 8, 1996. His climb in the world of football, from a promising high school player to a revered National Football League (NFL) cornerback, is a story of resilience and perseverance. Currently, Shelley is signed up to play for the New York Giants, one of the teams in the NFL.

Shelley spent his early years in Tucker, Georgia, where he demonstrated his footballing prowess as a student at Tucker High School. His significant contributions as a three-year starter for the school’s Tigers team did not go unnoticed. They helped him establish his reputation as a talented cornerback, ranking 22nd in his class by Rivals.com and 33rd by ESPN.

Upon obtaining his high school diploma, Shelley committed to extending his athletic career at Kansas State University. Over four dedicated years, he exhibited impressive defensive skills, recording 165 career tackles and a commendable eight interceptions.

During his third-year season in 2017, Shelley played consistently well to achieve remarkable stats. This cornerback started every game, making 13 pass breakups, ranking him fourth in the Big 12 Conference. His exceptional performance earned him honorable mention all-conference honors that season. However, his senior year was cut short because of a severe toe injury that rendered him unable to play the remaining games of the season.

In 2019, despite his injury, Shelley’s immense potential was recognized by the Chicago Bears, a prestigious NFL team. As the 205th pick in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft, Shelley became a Bears member. On June 20, 2019, Shelley signed a rookie contract that would see him earn $2,647,832 over four years, inclusive of a $127,832 signing bonus.

Shelley’s first action as a Chicago Bear took place on September 5, 2019, during the season opener against the Green Bay Packers. Although he spent the majority of his rookie year playing mostly on special teams, his contributions in the nine games he did participate in were notable.

Entering the 2021 season, Shelley was the third cornerback on the depth chart for the Bears, positioned behind defenders Jaylon Johnson and Kindle Vildor. However, after only nine games and before he could even gather momentum, Shelley sustained a hamstring injury. This put him on injured reserve, and though activated later that season, his run of back luck continued.

In 2022, Shelley part ways with the Bears and moved to the Minnesota Vikings on September 6. His tenure with the Vikings was highlighted by his promotion to the active roster on November 12, where he served as a crucial replacement for the injured Cameron Dantzler. Thus, he cemented his place as a dependable player with his game-saving pass deflection against the Buffalo Bills in a 33-30 win. Plus, his first career interception, recorded against Tim Boyle, proved pivotal in Week 18 game against the Bears.

As the next season ensued, an opportunity knocked from the Las Vegas Raiders to which Shelley signed on March 23, 2023, but was released by the end of August that year. September saw him switch coasts to join with the Los Angeles Rams, where a subsequent injury update forced him on injured reserve on November 27. Though reactivated in January, his tenure was short-lived there as well.

By July 2024, Shelley had penned a deal with the Minnesota Vikings. However, he suffered another professional setback when the team let him go in August. However, hoping to make amends, Shelley took up a role with the New York Giants practice squad later that month.

In conclusion, Duke Shelley’s journey through the NFL, despite the numerous trials he faced, is a testament to his tenacity and passion for the game. His illustrious career is characterized by his high-school exploits, commendable college performance, and the undocumented value he brought to the numerous NFL teams he has graced.