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Jamie Dukes
Jamie Dukes
from Wikipedia

Jamie Donnell Dukes (born June 14, 1964) is an American former professional football player who was a center for 10 seasons for the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, and Arizona Cardinals, of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles, earning consensus All-American honors in 1985.

Key Information

Early life

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Dukes was born in Schenectady, New York. He attended Evans High School in Orlando, Florida.

College career

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Dukes was an offensive guard at Florida State and became the fifth player in FSU history to earn consensus All-America honors when he was named to virtually every team as a senior in 1985. From 1982 to 1985 he started every single game finishing with 48 total starts. And behind the lead of Dukes over the course of those four years. Following his illustrious career with Florida State, Dukes signed with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent in 1986.[1][2]

Dukes rated #46 in the Florida State University All-Time Player Countdown to Kickoff.[3]

In 1991, Dukes was elected into the FSU Hall of Fame.[4][5]

Professional career

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Despite a strong showing at Florida State, Dukes went undrafted in 1986. He began his career with the Atlanta Falcons playing for 8 seasons up to the end of 1993. He finished his career in Atlanta playing in 110 games for the Falcons. The following year, he signed a 1-year deal with Green Bay and started 6 games for the Packers. In 1995, Dukes signed another 1-year contract, this time with the Arizona Cardinals. He had started 8 games that season. At the end of the year, Dukes retired, completing his career playing in 124 games, and starting 62.[6] He fumbled 6 times in his career 5 recovered by his own team and 1 recovered by the opponent's team for a total of -6 yards [7]

Post-playing career

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Television/Radio

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Dukes joined NFL Network in 2006 as an analyst on NFL Total Access and NFL GameDay Scoreboard alongside Paul Burmeister and Tom Waddle. He is also a regular contributor to NFL.com. During NFL Network's Thursday Night Football schedule, Dukes, Paul Burmeister and Bucky Brooks can be seen providing complementary coverage on NFL.com/LIVE: Thursday Night Football. He also participated in the NFL Network's coverage of the 2008 NFL draft as a desk host in New York and helped cover the 2009 Pro-Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii, interviewing players for NFL Total Access.

Dukes is an actor in a compelling documentary on the effect of concussion on NFLers and their Families. From sleeplessness to suicide, it reveals a hard portrait of life after the gridiron.[8][9]

Dukes was one of the most popular hosts on WZGC 92.9 FM The Game and left October 2015 due to health problems[10]

January 2016 Dukes and Chad Ochocinco started the Ochocinco and Dukes Podcast on iTunes.[11][12]

Dukes is the national spokesman for the NFL's Healthy Heart Campaign, Fitness Integrated with Teaching (FIT) Kids Act and REALIZE® Adjustable Gastric Band.[13]

Health

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2008 Dukes had gastric band procedure to help lose weight.[14] The Put Up Your Dukes Foundation was founded by Jamie and his wife Angela Dukes in 2009. As of 2010, Dukes spearheaded a grassroots, weight-loss program called the "Billion Pound Blitz Initiative".[15][16][17][18]

Duke is Senior VP of Community Relations & Strategic Partnerships for Hydro One a healthy, nutritional, vitamin infused beverage.[19] His 2012 season will include analyst duties on the United Football League broadcasts on CBS Sports Network according to a league media guide. He also hosts the Rick and Jamie show on WZGC-FM (Atlanta 92.9 The Game).

January 29, 2015, Jamie Dukes seeks fellow ex-NFLers for study to treat depression in the foyer of Georgia State Capitol. Dukes is working with anesthesiologist Jarrod Huey who is involved with Atlanta-based DripFusion Institute in collaboration with several organizations including Florida State University College of Medicine[20][21]

Author

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Dukes wrote a book called "Frenemals", which talks about Family, Friends, and the Friends inside our head. This books is to help youth get a better understanding of self-awareness.[22]

Charity Work

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Working with Crosby Media Production and Braxton Cosby, Dukes Fat Free: Ask The Fat Doc, Jamie Dukes on his Chachersize video workout program to create Chachersize for Men.[23]

Dukes and his wife kicked off the 2011 Runway Red Celebrity Kids Fashion Show raising funding for children infected by or affected with HIV/AIDS.[24]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Jamie Dukes (born June 14, 1964) is an American former professional football player who played as an offensive lineman, primarily at guard and , in the () for ten seasons from 1986 to 1995. After an undrafted signing with the in 1986, he appeared in 124 games, starting 95, across stints with the Falcons (1986–1993), (1994), and (1995). Dukes attended , where he played offensive guard from 1982 to 1985, starting all 48 games during that period. As a senior in 1985, he earned consensus honors and contributed to State's offenses that ranked in the national top ten in scoring, rushing, and total offense over his four years. He was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991. In the , Dukes established himself as a reliable starter on ' offensive line, anchoring the unit during a period that included a playoff appearance in 1991. His career highlights include recovering six fumbles and drawing only 13 penalties over his tenure, reflecting his disciplined play. Post-retirement, Dukes contributed to media, serving as a desk host for the league's network coverage of the and the .

Early life

Childhood and family

Jamie Dukes was born on June 14, 1964, in . He moved to , where he grew up and later attended Evans High School.

High school career

Jamie Dukes attended Evans High School in , where he starred as an offensive lineman on the football team.

College career

Florida State Seminoles

Jamie Dukes enrolled at Florida State University in 1982 after a standout high school career at Evans High School in Orlando, Florida, where he was recognized as an All-State and Prep All-American selection. As a freshman offensive guard, he immediately earned a starting role on the Seminoles' offensive line and maintained that position for all 48 games over his four seasons from 1982 to 1985, contributing to a team record of 33-13-2 during his tenure. His consistent performance helped anchor the line, providing crucial blocking for the Seminoles' ground and passing attacks in an era when Florida State was emerging as a national contender under head coach Bobby Bowden. Dukes' reliability was evident in key matchups, including four bowl game appearances that capped each of his college seasons. In the 1982 , he started in Florida State's 31-12 victory over , supporting a balanced offensive effort that included 200 rushing yards. The following year, during the 1983 , Dukes anchored the offensive line in a dominant 28-3 win against , where the Seminoles scored four touchdowns—two rushing and two passing—while holding the Tar Heels to just 165 total yards. In the 1984 against Georgia, he helped protect quarterback Eric Thomas in a hard-fought 17-17 tie, as Florida State rallied from a deficit to secure the draw. His senior season culminated in the 1985 , a 34-23 triumph over Oklahoma State, where the Seminoles' offense amassed over 400 yards, bolstered by Dukes' blocking in the interior. Throughout his time at Florida State, Dukes played exclusively as an offensive guard, a role that emphasized his strength and leadership in run blocking and pass protection; this positional foundation later facilitated his transition to upon entering the professional ranks. His unwavering starts across regular-season and postseason games underscored his durability and integral role in the Seminoles' offensive success.

Awards and honors

During his tenure with the , Jamie Dukes earned numerous accolades that highlighted his dominance as an offensive guard. As a in 1982, he was selected as a first-team Freshman All-American by Football News. He received honorable mention honors in 1983 and second-team recognition in 1984. In his senior year of 1985, Dukes achieved consensus first-team All-American status, becoming just the fifth player in FSU history to earn this distinction after being named to virtually every major All-America team, including those from the , , Foundation, and Football Writers Association. Dukes was also a three-time first-team All-ACC selection in 1982, 1984, and 1985, underscoring his consistent excellence within the conference. Following his playing career, he was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991 in recognition of his contributions to the program. In 2015, Dukes was ranked No. 46 on ' list of the top 75 players in FSU football history as part of their All-Time Player Countdown to Kickoff.

Professional career

Atlanta Falcons

After going undrafted in the following his college career at Florida State, Jamie Dukes signed with the as a and began his professional career as an offensive lineman. He primarily played and left guard for the team from 1986 to 1993, appearing in 110 games and logging 89 starts during that span. Dukes spent his initial three seasons (1986–1988) as a reserve and rotational player, starting just nine games combined, before securing the starting role in 1989, which he maintained through 1993 with 80 consecutive starts. His tenure anchored ' interior line during a period of team transition under coaches and , providing stability amid varying records that ranged from 7-8-1 in 1986 to 6-10 in 1993. A highlight of Dukes' Falcons years came in 1991, when he started all 16 regular-season games as the team achieved a 10-6 record and earned a wild card playoff berth—their first postseason appearance since 1982. Dukes also started both playoff contests, including a 27-20 upset win over the in the wild card round, before a 24-7 divisional-round loss to the Washington Redskins. That season, along with 1992—when he earned a career-high approximate value of 9—underscored his growing impact on the line. Over his Falcons career, Dukes recovered six fumbles, all attributed to his own team, showcasing his quick reflexes in protecting the ball.

Later teams

Following his tenure with the Atlanta Falcons, Dukes signed with the for the . As an unrestricted , he joined the team on a one-year contract and served as the starting center, appearing in and starting all six games he played that year. In 1995, Dukes transitioned to the , again signing a one-year deal as a . He started all eight games he appeared in at center for the Cardinals, contributing to the team's offensive front during a 4–12 season. These short-term moves reflected his continued pursuit of starting opportunities in the league after eight seasons in Atlanta. Dukes retired from professional football following the 1995 campaign.

Career statistics

Jamie Dukes played the position of center in the () from 1986 to 1995, appearing in a total of 124 games and starting 103 of them. Over the course of his career, he recorded 6 recoveries. The following table summarizes his games played and starts by team:
TeamYearsGames PlayedGames Started
1986–199311089
199466
199588
Career Totals1986–1995124103

Personal life

Family

Jamie Dukes has been married to Angela Dukes since the early 2000s. The couple resides in , where they have raised their two children. Together, Dukes and his wife co-founded the Put Up Your Dukes Foundation in 2009, a dedicated to promoting health, fitness, and community wellness programs as part of their joint post-retirement endeavors. In a notable family incident, on December 25, 2014, Dukes and Angela were passengers on a flight from to that diverted for an in , after a male passenger displayed erratic behavior, paced the cabin, and engaged in confrontational exchanges that raised security concerns among passengers and crew. The event, which occurred during a family trip, resolved without further incident once the plane landed safely. In October 2025, Dukes announced that his children Phillip and McKenzie are expecting a son in January 2026, making him a grandfather.

Health challenges

Following his retirement from the in 1996, Jamie Dukes struggled with significant , reaching over 400 pounds due to lifestyle changes and the challenges of transitioning out of professional athletics. In 2008, motivated by health concerns and family worries, he underwent gastric band surgery to manage his and improve his overall well-being. In response to his personal experiences, Dukes co-founded the Put Up Your Dukes Foundation in with his wife, Angela, to raise awareness about , promote healthy living, and support families affected by weight-related issues, particularly among former athletes. The organization focused on , community programs, and destigmatizing weight loss interventions like . Building on this effort, Dukes launched the Billion Pound Blitz Initiative in , a campaign aimed at collective across communities to combat the , with an emphasis on former players facing post-career health risks. Through this initiative and his foundation, he actively advocated for addressing the 's , highlighting the premature deaths of several retired linemen from weight-related conditions and urging systemic support for player wellness. In 2015, Dukes participated in a clinical study exploring treatments for depression among retired players, collaborating with medical professionals to recruit participants and share his insights on challenges linked to . In 2019, he appeared in the documentary Bell Rung, which examined the long-term impacts of concussions on players and their families, including symptoms like emotional distress and cognitive decline.

Broadcasting career

Television

Following his retirement from professional football in 1995, Jamie Dukes transitioned to broadcasting, joining NFL Network in 2006 as an on-air analyst. He contributed to programs such as NFL Total Access and NFL GameDay Scoreboard, where he provided post-game analysis alongside hosts like Paul Burmeister and Tom Waddle. In these roles, Dukes offered insights into offensive line strategies and player matchups, drawing from his decade-long experience as a center. In 2007, Dukes expanded his presence by hosting Put Up Your Dukes, an opinion-based studio show that aired Tuesdays through Fridays at 6:30 p.m. ET on . The program featured Dukes tackling daily headlines, game breakdowns, and debates, often emphasizing the physical and tactical elements of the offensive line that he knew intimately from his playing days. His segments highlighted how linemen influence game outcomes, such as protecting quarterbacks during late comebacks or exploiting defensive edges. Beyond regular studio work, Dukes appeared in the 2014 Bell Rung, which examined the long-term effects of concussions on former players and their families. In the film, he shared personal experiences with post-career health challenges, including insurability issues stemming from head trauma sustained during his playing career. This appearance underscored his advocacy for player welfare in coverage.

Radio and podcasts

Jamie Dukes co-hosted the midday program Rick and Jamie on sports radio station 92.9 FM (The Game) from the station's launch in October 2012 until September 2015. The show featured discussions on games, analysis, and interviews with sports figures, establishing Dukes as a prominent voice in local sports during his three-year tenure. In January 2016, Dukes launched the Ochocinco and Dukes Podcast alongside former NFL wide receiver Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson, produced by DGital Media and distributed on platforms like iTunes. The podcast ran for 30 episodes through mid-2016, covering NFL topics such as player performances, game breakdowns, and post-career transitions, alongside pop culture, relationships, and lifestyle discussions. Notable episodes included interviews with Buffalo Bills legend Cornelius Bennett on NFL programs and conversations about high-profile hits from players like Ray Lewis. Dukes expanded his podcasting presence in September 2020 as co-host of 21st & Prime with on , which concluded after 125 episodes in February 2022. The podcast focused on football strategy, coaching insights, athletics, and personal anecdotes, featuring guests ranging from NFL executives like to entertainers and politicians. Throughout his broadcasting career, Dukes has made guest appearances on various programs, including discussions on Network-affiliated shows and Atlanta-based outlets like 92.9 The Game's Dukes & Bell.

Other pursuits

Authorship

Jamie Dukes authored the Beware of Frenemals, published in 2014, which targets youth and focuses on fostering and emotional health through humorous insights into interpersonal dynamics. The book introduces the concept of "Frenemals"—a portmanteau of "friends" and "enemies"—referring to family members, friends, or one's inner voice that can undermine personal growth, drawing from Dukes' experiences as a former NFL player navigating relationships in high-pressure environments. Its purpose is to equip readers, particularly young people, with tools to recognize and manage these influences, emphasizing balance in keeping both supportive allies and potential adversaries at appropriate distances to promote mental resilience. The themes center on relationships, personal growth, and self-reflection, using comical anecdotes to illustrate how negative internal or external voices can mimic enemies, with Dukes tying these to his own life lessons from and beyond. Published by Cosby Media Productions on August 29, 2014, as an (with a paperback edition following on November 11 via Tate Publishing), the 162-page work became available in both digital and print formats through platforms like Amazon and . Reception for Beware of Frenemals has been positive among readers, earning a 5-out-of-5-star rating based on nine global reviews on Amazon, where it is praised for its relatable humor and practical advice on emotional navigation. Beyond the book, Dukes has contributed football analysis pieces to .com, often discussing team strategies and player performances from his perspective as a retired offensive lineman.

Philanthropy

Jamie Dukes co-founded the Put Up Your Dukes Foundation in 2009 with his wife, Angela Dukes, to address health challenges faced by retired players and promote overall wellness initiatives. The organization focuses on combating through , diet, and exercise programs, inspired by Dukes' own experience losing over 110 pounds following gastric band surgery and the premature deaths of several former teammates. In 2010, Dukes launched the Billion Pound Blitz as a flagship weight-loss initiative under the foundation, encouraging community participation in fitness challenges to shed excess weight collectively. The following year, in 2011, Dukes and his wife kicked off the Runway Red Celebrity Kids Fashion Show, a charity event that raised funds specifically for children infected by or affected with , featuring celebrity families and youth models to highlight support for vulnerable youth. To further advance health promotion, Dukes developed the Chachersize workout program, a exercise regimen incorporating cha-cha dances and line dances for participants of all ages, from preschoolers to seniors, aimed at making physical activity engaging and accessible. This program integrates with the foundation's broader efforts to foster lifelong wellness habits, including targeted outreach to seniors through radio segments on health topics. The foundation remains active into the , continuing its emphasis on and community support, with Dukes serving as CEO to sustain advocacy for preventive care and lifestyle improvements.

References

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