Heath Shuler
Heath Shuler | |||||||||
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 11th district | |||||||||
| In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2013 | |||||||||
| Preceded by | Charles H. Taylor | ||||||||
| Succeeded by | Mark Meadows | ||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||
| Born | Joseph Heath Shuler December 31, 1971 | ||||||||
| Party | Democratic | ||||||||
| Spouse | Nikol Davis | ||||||||
| Children | 2 | ||||||||
| Education | University of Tennessee, Knoxville (BA) | ||||||||
| Football career | |||||||||
| No. 21, 5 | |||||||||
| Position | Quarterback | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||
| Listed weight | 216 lb (98 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school | Swain County (Bryson City) | ||||||||
| College | Tennessee (1991–1993) | ||||||||
| NFL draft | 1994: 1st round, 3rd overall pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Joseph Heath Shuler (born December 31, 1971) is an American former politician and professional football quarterback who served as the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 11th congressional district from 2007 to 2013. The district covers the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina. A member of the Democratic Party, he played in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons prior to his political career.
Shuler played college football at the University of Tennessee, winning SEC Player of the Year in 1993, and was selected by the Washington Redskins third overall in the 1994 NFL draft. Unable to match his collegiate success, he was traded from the Redskins after three seasons and spent his final two with the New Orleans Saints.
Shuler launched his first political campaign during the 2006 House elections and defeated Republican incumbent Charles H. Taylor. During his Congressional tenure, he was a member of the Blue Dog Coalition and known for challenging the leadership of his party, including running against Nancy Pelosi for Democratic leader in 2010. After his district was redrawn in 2011 to replace much of his Democratic support from Asheville with several Republican counties, Shuler announced he would not seek re-election the following year. He retired from politics after his term ended.