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Shutdown Corner

Sat Nov 15, 2008 9:50 am EST

Ex-NFL QB Heath Shuler to run for Senate?

By Chris Chase

Former Washington Redskins quarterback and all-time NFL Draft bust Heath Shuler may by eyeing a run at the Senate in 2010. The Times-News of Hendersonville reports that Shuler, who was recently elected to his second-term as a Democratic Congressman from North Carolina, could be looking to challenge incumbent Richard Burr in the state's next Senate election. If so, the campaign would be an all-football affair, as Burr played defensive back while attending Wake Forest in the 1970s.

If history is any indication, Shuler's success in the House doesn't necessarily portend a similar outcome in the Senate. After all, it was just 13 years ago that Heath Shuler was an up-and-coming, can't-miss prospect with his eyes focused on a bigger and brighter stage. And we all know how that turned out.

But is it even possible to be a Senate bust? What would that entail? Would Shuler have to spill Pepsi on some important legislation? Or while defending an important bill, he'd instead recite the lyrics to Funky Cold Medina? Although, I guess as long as his colleagues in the Senate Chamber don't start chanting for Gus Frerotte, everything should be alright. Heath in 2010!

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204 Comments

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  1. Jason J
    1. Posted by Jason J Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:50 pm EDT

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    Ha, nice. I still wonder what would have happened if the Redskins drafted Trent Dilfer instead. I was at the game where Gus originally took over for Heath. And look at Gus now, still going strong. At least Heath's career in politics is going well.
  2. Blinkersboink
    2. Posted by Blinkersboink Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:09 pm EDT

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    Heath looks like Al Gore wannabe. A Total schmuck face with a $4000 suit.
  3. T L
    3. Posted by T L Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:43 pm EDT

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    Just because he did not do well on the field does not mean that he would not do well in the Senate. Come on, this his second term as a congressman. He needed to find out what his real niche was.
  4. Yooper
    4. Posted by Yooper Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:40 pm EDT

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    And His Qualifications are??
  5. GerardT
    5. Posted by GerardT Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:07 pm EDT

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    It would be impossible to be a bust as a Senator, unless you were the Senate equalivalent of a cross between Mike Vick, Pacman Jones, and Matt Millen.
  6. fivekidsdown
    6. Posted by fivekidsdown Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:00 pm EDT

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    Who better to run the country into the ground than the guy who's had practice doing it with an NFL franchise?
    If Heath runs and is elected, can Gus Frerotte run against him in Shuler's re-election campaign? Please?
  7. Mike P
    7. Posted by Mike P Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:23 pm EDT

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    I hope he's a better politician than he was a football player!!
  8. Dude Wins
    8. Posted by Dude Wins Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:50 pm EDT

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    4. Posted by Yooper Sat Nov 15, 2008 12:55 pm EST Report Abuse And His Qualifications are? About as Much as NoBama's
  9. Pimp Player
    9. Posted by Pimp Player Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:51 pm EDT

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    Hey-- that's NASCAR's Jimmy Johnson with him, isn't it?
    Guess JJ's fans have no idea that he's a political junkie....
  10. Arthur Cavalier
    10. Posted by Arthur Cavalier Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:15 pm EDT

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    I haven't figured out which is more irritating arm chair quarterbacks who think they could have gone to the superbowl behind the turd the Redskins used as an offensive line during that time or those who want to keep ppunding on Vick (the man is doing his time,let him do it and if he is good enough to get back then way to go in turning your life around). As for Matt Millan, well he is proof that when you spend all the time looking for that diamond in the rough and only finding coal. Schuler was a really good quarterback in college but that doesn't guarantee that it crosses over to the next level. Do any of you really think that Brady or P.Manning would have done any better with "that offencive line" blocking? I seriously doubt it. By the way since you all are soooooo smart I hear the Lions are hiring.
  11. $so fresh so clean$
    11. Posted by $so fresh so clean$ Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:11 pm EDT

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    Go Heath!
  12. D
    12. Posted by D Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:53 pm EDT

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    It broke my heart when Dilfer wasn't picked. I'd been plotting that pick for months. As a Redskin fan who grew up in same area as Dilfer and went to college in same areas as Shuler I was very familiar with all stakes and I could not see any way possible that Shuler was a better prospect than Dilfer, who already played in the same offense the Redskins deployed. But even I never figured Dilfer would even last in the NFL after being drafted by the worst franchise in history up to that point...
  13. Trey
    13. Posted by Trey Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:40 pm EDT

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    to Mister... this is not a political forum, it's subject is sports, ergo please stay on topic (sports) if you truly have anything to contribute. It's obvious that you have nothing substantive to offer in the realm of political debate (hurling baseless juvenile insults does not amount to anything resembling substantive issue-oriented political debate), so it would be much-appreciated if you would confine your sports-related comments to the sports forums. Thank you.
  14. Koharu Kusumi
    14. Posted by Koharu Kusumi Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:21 pm EDT

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    Akili Smith and Ryan Leaf should take a hint from this :D
  15. Bobbi
    15. Posted by Bobbi Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:57 pm EDT

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    He would fit right in......the only people in politics besides lying lawyers and bought out businessmen........are idiots with name recognition.
  16. King Maxx
    16. Posted by King Maxx Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:02 pm EDT

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    The fact Shuler was a bust in the NFL has nothing to do with his career as a politician--he is a Blue Dog Democrat, a highly respected group of moderate to conservative Dems and won his re-election bid with 67% of the vote...I'd hardly call him a failure and if he does decide to run against Burr, Shuler will present a formidable challenge.
    But I digress--Shuler wasn't the first NFL bust QB and he certainly won't be the last...didn't Ryan Leaf just recently have to leave his assistant QB coach after asking one of his players for meds? And who can forget Todd Marinovich and his drug arrests? Shuler was a successful businessman before getting into politics telling me his NFL career is irrelevant at this point--Ryan Leaf obviously still doesn't get it so maybe he could learn something from Shuler...
  17. jason f
    17. Posted by jason f Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:00 pm EDT

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    pimp player,
    i was noticing that as well. what is JJ doing with heath?
  18. Erric M
    18. Posted by Erric M Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:56 pm EDT

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    At Tennessee he and the volunteers seemed unstoppable but i did wonder why he never played football anymore.
  19. trollinnanger
    19. Posted by trollinnanger Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:21 pm EDT

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    His taste in politics is just like his play on the field. Crappy!
  20. Fearless
    20. Posted by Fearless Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:59 pm EDT

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    He was not intelligent enough to play in the NFL. Proves intelligence has nothing to do with scoring in politics.
  21. Richard
    21. Posted by Richard Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

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    What I've got to say on this is "you go Heath"! If jokes like Reagan and W and BHO can make it to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, then surely a good conservative Blue Dog Democrat Congressman can become a US Senator! As a matter of fact Heath, don't stop there. Be thinking the White House in 2016!
  22. Patriot
    22. Posted by Patriot Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:01 pm EDT

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    All time nfl draft bust?...ryan leaf ring a bell, moron?!!!
  23. Bamagirl
    23. Posted by Bamagirl Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:54 pm EDT

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    Of course Shuler should run for the Senate. He is young and talented. I think he would be an asset to politics. I say, go for it.
  24. shadowdog87
    24. Posted by shadowdog87 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:15 pm EDT

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    Hey, that IS Jimmie Johnson. Weird.
  25. damnfingers
    25. Posted by damnfingers Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    The way he gave the football away in the NFL obviously prepared him to be a Democrat....

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