Elijah Dukes

“Dukes can be the proverbial five-tool player. His swing is … I daresay, kind of like Albert Pujols.” – Joe Maddon, who managed Dukes in 2007 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays1

“He will snap in a minute.” – Richie Hebner, who coached Dukes in 2006 with the Durham Bulls2

Hillsborough County in Florida’s Tampa Bay area is a renowned breeding ground for professional athletes – especially baseball prodigies. They include Dwight Gooden, Gary Sheffield, Tony La Russa, Steve Garvey, Wade Boggs, and Fred McGriff.

However, amid the abundant talent nurtured within the 813 area code, one individual stands apart: Elijah Dukes. Widely regarded as one of the most naturally gifted athletes ever to emerge from Hillsborough County‘s sports scene, Dukes was a multisport star in high school and flashed promise in the majors. Yet despite his undeniable natural gifts, his inner struggles transcended his physical prowess. Overhanging his story are off-field behavior and relentless demons. The outfielder’s big-league career ended in 2009 after just three seasons; Dukes was only 25 years old. Subsequently, his profoundly sad and harrowing chronicle continued to unfold, marked by a running battle with the law.

Elijah David Dukes was born on June 26, 1984, in Homestead, Florida, a Miami suburb and a major agricultural area. His parents were Elijah Dukes Sr. and Phyllis (Evans) Dukes. Dukes was one of six children. His siblings are Tyrone Joseph Evans, Mary Helen Dukes, Katrina Evans, Rebecca Evans, and Willie Evans.

A formative influence on young Elijah Jr. – for the worse – came after his father shot and killed Kevin Reese in September 1995 outside a bar in Tampa. The motive was that Reese reportedly sold fake crack cocaine to Phyllis. Initially charged with first-degree murder, Dukes Sr. pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with a firearm and was sentenced to 20 years in prison on July 12, 1996.3 Before Dukes Sr. was imprisoned, his uncle, James Dukes, lobbied the judge for a lighter sentence, suggesting, “If [Dukes Sr.] isn’t at home to care for the children, to lead, guide and direct them, I’m almost certain one of them will be standing before you for sentencing … in the near future.”4 Nonetheless, Dukes Sr. received the maximum.

Elijah Jr. and his sisters were in the courtroom as their father was sentenced. Decades later, Katrina recounted how 12-year-old Elijah reached out and tried to touch his dad as the guards led him away in shackles. Phyllis later noted that her kids were really hurt when Dukes Sr. went to prison.5 Katrina remembered that they would return home in the evening to find all the lights turned off and Phyllis alone crying. At that point, young Elijah said, “I’m growing up to be a professional player.”6

Dukes Sr. was released on November 1, 2009, after serving 14 years. Three weeks after his release, he died of cancer at the age of 43.7 He never saw his son play in the majors.8

While raising her six children, Phyllis received her high-school diploma in 1995 at the age of 34.9 That accomplishment was important to her. She said, “I needed that, to let [her children] know: If I could, you could.” Raised just outside of Miami, Phyllis was one of eight, and her parents split when she was a child. She had her first child at 20 and Elijah Jr. at 24.10

In 1992, after Hurricane Andrew destroyed her family’s home in Miami, the family moved to West Tampa. Dukes Sr. stayed in Miami until he and Phyllis were married on January 21, 1994. After that, Dukes Sr. relocated to Tampa and got a job driving trucks. During that time, the family enjoyed many barbecues on Indian Rocks Beach – “good days,” as the Tampa Bay Times reported.11

That changed after Phyllis started purchasing crack in small amounts just to give to a few friends. She subsequently admitted to dealing crack but claimed never to have used it. She later described selling drugs as her biggest mistake.12 As of 2007, Phyllis worked 12-hour shifts as a complex security guard in Tampa.13

Once, in a candid portrayal of her son, Phyllis remarked, “His father and his crack-head mother – it follows him. It brings out his temper. Ever since he was in high school, every little thing he did was in the paper. Nothing good.” She admitted that her family never came off well in sound bites.14

Despite Dukes’ extensive rap sheet and notorious reputation, his sister Katrina made it a point to defend her brother and noted that the public saw only one side of him. “People make Elijah out to be some kind of monster. Like he’s not even a person. That’s the part that’s so tough for our family to deal with,” she said. “I’m not saying he hasn’t done a lot of things wrong. He has. And he needs to learn from them, not make excuses, but learn from them. He’s my brother. It has been hard. It has been hard for all of us.”15

Elijah Jr.’s own troubles began on September 29, 1997, with an arrest for misdemeanor battery – he was just 13.16 The following year, he faced another battery charge, but details remained scarce because he was still a juvenile.17 Dukes attended four high schools, often moving as a result of conflicts with referees, teachers, and coaches.18 In one school year, Dukes was dismissed from his basketball, baseball, and football teams.19

Nonetheless, as a sophomore at Jefferson High School, Dukes gained recognition not only for his emerging baseball talent but also as a skilled linebacker and tailback on the football team. That year, he a second-team All-State linebacker and surpassed 1,000 yards rushing.20 While at Jefferson, he pitched a no-hitter in baseball.21 His offensive coordinator at Jefferson, K.R. Lombardia, remarked of Dukes, “He‘s the best running back I ever coached, and I think the best running back I ever saw in high school ball.” On the baseball field, Jefferson coach Pop Cuesta shared a similar sentiment, saying, “Elijah was probably the most gifted athlete I‘ve ever had.“ (Cuesta dismissed Dukes from the team midway through the season for disciplinary issues.22)

Dukes later transferred to Hillsborough High School, which boasts alumni such as former major leaguers Carl Everett, Gary Sheffield, and Dwight Gooden. Altogether, Dukes earned varsity letters in four different sports: football, baseball, basketball, and track. He achieved this distinction for four years in football and baseball, and for two years in basketball and track. As a junior he continued to shine as a tailback and middle linebacker, gaining recognition as an All-State linebacker and again rushing for over 1,000 yards. His efforts helped the Hillsborough Terriers reach the state regional football semifinals in his junior year and the quarterfinals in his senior year.23

Known for being double-jointed, Dukes was highlighted by USA Today in 2002 as the nation’s top two-sport athlete. He had excellent size for both baseball and football, standing 6-feet-2 and listed as weighing 225 to 250 pounds. His physique was naturally muscular and imposing. Dukes’ former football coach at Hillsborough, Earl Garcia, said in 2007, “Elijah Dukes should be talked about as one of the greatest athletes ever to come from our area. Instead, he’s viewed like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. You never know what you’re going to get.” However, Garcia added, “I say that as somebody who never walked in his shoes.”24

Dukes signed a letter of intent to play linebacker at North Carolina State University. He observed: “I think a lot of the schools backed off because they knew I was interested in baseball. But I didn’t want to miss the opportunity of a college scholarship. N.C. State agreed to accommodate my aspirations to play professional baseball and college football. I hope it works out for both.”25

However, after being selected in the third round (74th overall) of the 2002 amateur draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (as the team was then called), Dukes signed a contract with a bonus of $505,000, officially starting his professional baseball career. He was scouted and signed by Kevin Elfering of the Rays.

Dukes’ first assignment was in 2003 with the Charleston RiverDogs of the low Class-A South Atlantic League. He stole 33 bases, the most on the team and the third-most in the organization. His first professional home run, a two-run walk-off, came on May 31 against Savannah. On July 16 Dukes hit two home runs against Hickory. That season, he also struck out 130 times. Baseball America named Dukes the organization’s best defensive outfielder and the top pure athlete in the Rays system.26

Away from the field, Dukes exhibited concerning behavior. On December 8, 2003, the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Department responded to an incident at Dukes’ residence involving an altercation with his eventual wife and his children’s mother, NiShea Gilbert, in which he reportedly threw a remote control at her.27 Gilbert described Dukes as a “ticking time bomb.”28 The charges eventually were dismissed. Later that month, he was pulled over on suspicion of careless driving. When a Tampa police officer approached his vehicle, he used offensive language toward her, as noted in the arrest report. After he attempted to roll up his window, the officer forcibly removed him from the car, charging him with obstructing an officer without violence. Dukes was later admitted to a misdemeanor intervention program, which led to the dismissal of the charges against him.29

In 2004 Dukes returned to Charleston, hitting safely in his first nine games. He soon advanced to the Bakersfield Blaze of the high Class-A California League, where he maintained his impressive performance at the plate. Dukes hit .322 and reached base in 53 of 58 games. His cumulative statistics for that year included a .313 batting average, 117 hits, 70 runs, 10 home runs, 49 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases. Notably, he reduced his strikeouts to 97. His 30 steals ranked third in the organization for that year, and Baseball America named him Tampa Bay’s sixth-best prospect.

Despite Dukes’ on-field success, the year was again marred by numerous off-field incidents. In January Dukes called Hillsborough sheriff’s deputies after an altercation with Gilbert. He claimed she sprayed him with an unknown substance from an aerosol can and expressed his intention to document the incident but did not wish to press charges. On April 28 Gilbert sought a domestic-violence injunction against Dukes, citing numerous threatening phone calls and similar threats from his family members. Her request was denied. On October 12 Gilbert reported to deputies that Dukes had thrown a soda can and a candy jar at her. No arrest was made. Three days later, Gilbert filed for another protective order against Dukes, which was granted; it was effective for one year. That same month, Dukes’ ex-girlfriend, Carla Bryant, who had previously requested a paternity test proving that Dukes was her child’s father, also filed for a protective order. A judge granted her request, issuing a one-year no-contact order against Dukes.30

In January 2005, before his assignment to Double-A Montgomery, Dukes’ sister Katrina reported to the Tampa police that he had grabbed her by the throat and hit her left arm. Consequently, Dukes faced a battery charge, which he did not contest and resulted in a one-year probation sentence. Just six days later, another former girlfriend, Zanquesha Jefferson, filed a request for prosecution with the Tampa police. She accused Dukes of visiting her home and strangling her.31 No charges were subsequently filed.

With Montgomery in 2005, Dukes batted .287 with career highs of 128 hits and 18 home runs, and a career-low 83 strikeouts. He was named the Rays’ minor-league player of the month for April. On June 19 he hit his first career grand slam in Jacksonville against future major leaguer Chad Billingsley. After the season, he was ranked as the Rays’ fifth-best prospect by Baseball America.

Also during his time in Montgomery, Dukes learned that he had fathered another child with a different woman, Shantell Mitchell. On June 16 Gilbert gave birth again, with Dukes revealed as the father. Court records indicate that Dukes fathered at least five children with four women between 2003 and 2006.32 The Washington Post reported in 2012 that Dukes by then had six children.33

In February 2006, Dukes married NiShea Gilbert. However, by May 1 Gilbert filed for divorce, alleging that Dukes married her to avoid paying child support. Gilbert withdrew the divorce petition in June.34 On the field, Dukes impressed during his first big-league spring training by hitting .400 (8-for-20) in 14 games, earning the Rays’ Al Lopez Award for top rookie in camp. Baseball America named him the organization’s best athlete and sixth-best prospect, as well as the International League’s 11th-best prospect.

Dukes was assigned to the Triple-A Durham Bulls for the 2006 season. In 80 games, he batted .313 with a .401 on-base percentage.

However, the season was marred by suspensions. In June the Rays suspended Dukes following two violent incidents involving hitting coach Richie Hebner and teammate Ryan Knox, whom Dukes choked in a hotel lobby.35 In August the International League suspended him for five games for misconduct toward an umpire. As his IL suspension was ending, the Rays extended it by 25 games, the remainder of the season. The Rays stated that while no single episode was major, it was the accumulation of small incidents they were addressing.36

Post-suspension, Dukes expressed doubt about his baseball career, feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. He said, “I have no idea when or if I’ll be back. I packed up all my stuff, and I’m headed home. To be honest, I don’t even know about baseball anymore. Everything is just wearing on me, and this year has just been so frustrating. I’m trying to keep my nose clean and keep to myself, but things just keep getting turned around. I’m tired of it.”37 He returned to play in the Arizona Fall League in September but left-knee surgery cut his season short.

In January 2007 Dukes was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession.38 Police discovered a bag with less than two grams of the substance in his car’s center console.39 On the field, the 22-year-old was poised to make his long-awaited big-league debut, and it began in storybook fashion on April 2. At Yankee Stadium, Dukes hit a fifth-inning home run off Carl Pavano.40 He became the 98th man to hit a homer in his first at-bat in the majors.41 (He had walked in his first plate appearance.)

Two days later, an ESPN.com feature on Dukes shed light on the ongoing struggle between his anger management and his five-tool potential. Dukes acknowledged, “The anger would just take over,” but he had learned to control it. “Now when something happens,” he said, “I can kind of switch sides and think about how the other person is thinking and how I can make it different.”42

The article also quoted others. Catcher Shawn Riggans defended Dukes, stating, “I love Elijah. He’s a great guy. I’d take a bullet for him.” The Devil Rays’ manager, Joe Maddon, expressed confidence in Dukes by highlighting his five-tool potential while emphasizing the need for self-control. “I think he understands now that he’s on a major-league stage where everything is scrutinized even more. I really believe he believes he belongs here. And he wants to stay here, and he understands that it takes a certain decorum in order to do that.”43

Rays general manager Andrew Friedman acknowledged Dukes’ challenging childhood and the importance of focusing on the game. As Dukes spoke, his words appeared genuine and devoid of anger, signifying his determination to harness that emotion and shape a brighter future. But his challenges continued to mount. 

On April 26 Dukes was served with a paternity suit by Porcia Reneal Daniels which alleged that he was the father of her son born the previous July.44 That same month, Dukes barged into Gilbert’s classroom at lunch. (She was a middle-school teacher.) He ran to her desk and stated that he was going to beat and kill her. Badly shaken, Gilbert rushed to get the principal and a deputy, who ultimately banned Dukes from the property. Gilbert said she feared for her life and noted that this was the latest in a series of recent outbursts by her husband.45

In May Gilbert sought a restraining order against Dukes.46 She told the court she feared for her life while citing Dukes’ death threats, which included sending a photo of a handgun to her phone. On May 30 a Hillsborough County judge granted her a one-year restraining order. He also ordered Dukes to relinquish all firearms and undergo a psychological evaluation before he was allowed to see his children.47

On the field, Dukes continued to excel. He set a club record for rookies by hitting seven home runs in May. He led all rookies with nine extra-base hits and 15 RBIs in that month. He hit two first-inning leadoff homers in May, on the 16th against the Texas Rangers and on the 19th vs. the Florida Marlins. As of early June, he had hit 10 home runs.

However, on June 22, Dukes was optioned to the minors and placed on the temporary inactive list as more off-the-field allegations surfaced.

A teenage girl who resided in the foster home of a relative of Dukes told police that Dukes had impregnated her when she was 17. The investigation into the pregnancy concluded that criminal statutes did not apply to consensual sex between a 17-year-old and a 22-year-old. The teenager also alleged that Dukes threw a Gatorade bottle at her.48

In August it was reported that Dukes violated Gilbert’s restraining order against him by calling her at home and asking to speak to his children.49 He did not play again in 2007 and finished the season with a .190 batting average and 21 RBIs in 52 games. He returned to action in the Dominican winter league, where he was ejected during one game for bumping an umpire.50

The Rays traded Dukes to the Washington Nationals in December for pitching prospect Glenn Gibson.51 After the trade was announced, his former teammate Riggans noted that if Dukes could focus on the field, there weren’t too many other players like him. However, Hebner and Maddon did not mince words. Referring to Dukes’ short fuse, Hebner stated, “A new team or a new stadium won’t change that.” Maddon, who just the previous year had praised Dukes, added about the departure, “It feels a whole lot better here.”52

Two weeks after acquiring Dukes, the Nationals gave James Williams, a former police officer, the full-time responsibility for overseeing their new player. Throughout spring training, the two were roommates. Dukes affectionately called Williams “Supernanny” and said that Williams played a role akin to a second father.53

In 2008 Dukes got into 81 games for Washington and had 334 plate appearances. He made more impact per game than any other player on the roster. He posted a slash line of .264/.386/.478, walking in 15 percent of his plate appearances. His power was evident with a .231 Isolated Power (ISO). He set personal big-league highs of 13 home runs, 44 runs batted in, and 73 hits. Dukes displayed his defensive abilities at the corner outfield positions with a team-leading nine outfield assists. He accumulated a WAR of 2.9. Although he was a valuable asset, knee surgery sidelined him for a significant portion of July.54 He also suffered a calf injury in early August, leading to a multi-week stint on the DL.55

Dukes embarked on his second big-league season with the Nationals in 2009. In April he was fined $500 by manager Manny Acta for showing up late to the ballpark. Dukes was late, but not for a troubling reason: he was visiting a Little League in Northern Virginia, where he watched a parade, signed autographs, and shared advice with the youngsters. James Mraz, the president of the Great Falls Little League, organized a fundraiser to cover the fine.56 He noted, “This guy gave back to our community, and now he’s in a hard spot. We need to help him. It’s not a question of whether this guy can afford the 500 bucks. We’re just trying to send a message to our kids: He was here for us. Now we’ve got to be there for him.”57

Acta noted, “He was very remorseful about it. He felt bad, but we have to lay down the law. Regardless of who is out there, we are still losing ballgames. We have to change the culture somehow.”58 This was not the first time Acta and Dukes had butted heads. During a game against the Pirates in 2008, they got in a shouting match in the dugout; both men had to be restrained. Dukes then refused to acknowledge Acta during the customary postgame victory handshake line.59

Dukes registered career highs in 2009 with 91 hits, 20 doubles, 4 triples, and 58 RBIs in 107 games played. As in the previous season, he was sometimes sidelined by injuries. He went on a minor-league rehab assignment on May 30 and did not return to the Nationals until July 31.

That winter, Dukes returned to the Dominican league and appeared in four games with Tigres del Licey. In spring training 2010, the Nationals let him go abruptly with just 2½ weeks remaining. After the release, he mused, “I don’t know what to say. It felt a little funny. I guess I wasn’t expecting it. … That’s part of baseball. No big deal, no hard feelings. Just part of the game.”60

Speculation arose regarding whether Dukes’ release stemmed from performance or off-the-field conduct, but Nationals manager Jim Riggleman, general manager Mike Rizzo, and team President Stan Kasten all emphasized that this was a baseball decision and nothing more.61

Dukes’ big-league career had ended after three seasons. In 240 games played, he hit .242 (199-for-824) with 31 homers and 123 RBIs.

Early in 2010, Dukes was set to play for the Tabasco Olmecas of the Mexican League, but the opportunity fell apart when he failed to show up on the reporting date.62 Subsequently, Dukes signed with the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League, where he batted .366 with 5 homers in 28 games.

During the winter of 2011-12, Dukes rejoined Licey and batted .217 in seven games. That was his last action as a pro ballplayer – he was still just 27.

After his professional career concluded, Dukes openly stated his conviction that he’d been “thrown under the bus” and “blackballed” by Major League Baseball following his disclosures regarding substance abuse among athletes.63 He claimed players smuggled drugs, including marijuana and cocaine, on planes and used them in hotel rooms.64 Dukes even admitted to his own marijuana use before home games with the Nationals.65 MLB denied any claims that Dukes was blackballed.66

Dukes briefly pursued a rap music career with the stage name “Fly Eli” in February 2011.67 That venture didn’t pan out, and he continued to tangle with the law. In November 2011 he was incarcerated in Tampa on charges related to failing to pay child support.68 In 2010 alone, he owed a total of $143,000 in child support and alimony to three women.69 Previously, in March 2011, Dukes was arrested on charges of aggravated battery against a pregnant woman and driving with a revoked or suspended license.70 According to a sheriff’s office report, Dukes’ ex-girlfriend, Mountrail Mounshay Mack, reported that he had slapped her in the face several times.71 Dukes had also been wanted on a contempt warrant. A month later, on April 25, he was again arrested, this time on charges related to operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked driver’s license.72

On Thursday, February 23, 2012, Dukes was pulled over around 1:00 A.M. after committing a traffic violation. The officers noticed a bag of marijuana on his lap; Dukes tried to dispose of it by sticking it in his mouth as if he was going to ingest it. Shortly after being taken into custody, officers noticed a marijuana blunt tucked behind his ear. Dukes was charged with tampering with physical evidence, possession of under 20 grams of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving with a canceled, suspended, or revoked license. He was detained because of two outstanding Hillsborough County warrants related to driving with a suspended license and operating with a suspended or revoked driver’s license.73

Dukes encountered legal trouble yet again on January 21, 2013, when he was arrested in Tampa for failure to attend court hearings related to various drug and traffic violations.74 On December 19, 2013, Dukes was arrested in his Brandon home on a warrant charging him with violating his probation.75

After being absent from the news for several years, on November 15, 2021, Dukes was arrested on a misdemeanor trespassing charge.76 As of 2024, he had stayed clear of any further scrapes.

While Elijah Jr. moved on from wearing a baseball uniform, his son, Elijah Dukes III, garnered attention in the Tampa region with success on the diamond. Dukes III graduated from Wharton High School in 2022. A scouting database, Perfect Game USA, recognized him as the eighth-best first baseman in Florida at the time.77 He then went to San Jacinto College in Texas.

The story of Elijah Dukes Jr., while featuring his remarkable athletic abilities, is ultimately a poignant reminder of the human complexities behind the façade of sports success. His rise and fall serve as a testament to the glory and tragedy that can coexist in this realm.

Acknowledgments

This biography was reviewed by Rory Costello and Mike Eisenbath, fact-checked by Carl Riechers, and copy-edited by Len Levin.

Photo credit: Elijah Dukes, Trading Card Database.

Sources

In addition to the sources cited in the Notes, the author consulted baseball-reference.com, MLB.com, Fangraphs.com, and wilson-funeralhome.com.

Notes

1 Amy K. Nelson, “Dukes Letting Talent, Not Anger, Take Over,” ESPN.com, April 4, 2007. https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2823398.

2 “Dukes Letting Talent, Not Anger, Take Over.” Farid Rushdi, “Elijah Dukes: Are His Problems the Result of a Bad Man or a Bad Childhood?” Bleacher Report, January 16, 2009. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/111960-elijah-dukes-are-his-problems-the-result-of-a-bad-man-or-a-bad-childhood.

3 Katherine Shaver, “Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Cocaine-Sale Killing,” Tampa Bay Times, July 13, 1996. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/07/13/man-sentenced-to-20-years-for-cocaine-sale-killing/.

4 Joey Johnston, “Since Childhood, Trouble Has Often Shadowed Elijah Dukes,” Tampa Tribune, May 27, 2007. https://joeyjohnstoncommunications.com/an-unsettled-life/.

5 Abbie Vansickle, “Dukes Family Pride,” Tampa Bay Times, June 21, 2007. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2007/06/21/dukes-family-pride/.

6 Abbie Vansickle, “Mother of Devil Rays’ Rookie Slugger Hopes He Will Get Help,” St. Petersburg Times, June 22, 2007. https://www.theledger.com/story/news/2007/06/22/mother-of-devil-rays-rookie-slugger-hopes-he-will-get-help/25873085007/.

7 Colleen Jenkins, “Mourning Family Questions Care Given in Prison,” Tampa Bay Times, December 4, 2009. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2009/12/04/mourning-family-questions-care-given-in-prison/.

8 “Nationals’ Dukes Hopes Hard Work Equals Breakout Season.” Lakeland (Florida) Ledger, March 3, 2010. https://www.theledger.com/story/news/2010/03/03/nationals-dukes-hopes-hard-work/8101893007/.

9 Vansickle, “Mother of Devil Rays’ Rookie Slugger Hopes He Will Get Help.”

10 Vansickle, “Dukes Family Pride.”

11 Vansickle, “Dukes Family Pride.”

12 Vansickle, “Dukes Family Pride.”

13 Vansickle, “Mother of Devil Rays’ Rookie Slugger Hopes He Will Get Help.”

14 Vansickle, “Mother of Devil Rays’ Rookie Slugger Hopes He Will Get Help.”

15 Johnston. “Since Childhood, Trouble Has Often Shadowed Elijah Dukes.”

16 Chris Jones, “TICK TICK TICK,” ESPN.com, May 5, 2008. https://www.espn.com/espnmag/story?id=3382818.

17 “A Decade of Trouble,” Tampa Bay Times, June 23, 2007. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2007/06/23/a-decade-of-trouble/.

18 Jones, “TICK TICK TICK.”

19 Johnston. “Since Childhood, Trouble Has Often Shadowed Elijah Dukes.”

20 Scott Purks, “Two-Sport Prospect Dukes Transfers to Hillsborough.” Tampa Bay Times, August 8, 2000. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2000/08/08/two-sport-prospect-dukes-transfers-to-hillsborough/.

21 “Hillsborough County’s Legends of the Gridiron,” Big County Preps. https://bigcountypreps.com/accolades/hillsborough-county-legends/.

22 Johnston. “Since Childhood, Trouble Has Often Shadowed Elijah Dukes.”

23 “Hillsborough County’s Legends of the Gridiron.”

24 Johnston, “Since Childhood, Trouble Has Often Shadowed Elijah Dukes.”

25 Scott Purks, “Hillsborough’s Dukes Picks Football After All,” Tampa Bay Times, February 7, 2002. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2002/02/07/hillsborough-s-dukes-picks-football-after-all/.

26 Jones, “TICK TICK TICK.”

27 “A Decade of Trouble.”

28 Johnston. “Since Childhood, Trouble Has Often Shadowed Elijah Dukes.”

29 “A Decade of Trouble.”

30 “A Decade of Trouble.”

31 “A Decade of Trouble.”

32 “A Decade of Trouble.”

33 Matt Brooks, “Report: Elijah Dukes Tried to Eat Bag of Marijuana After Traffic Stop,” Washington Post, February 23, 2012. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/post/report-elijah-dukes-tried-to-eat-bag-of-marijuana-after-traffic-stop/2012/02/23/gIQAF1cVVR_blog.html.

34 “A Decade of Trouble.”

35 Jones, “TICK TICK TICK.”

36 Marc Topkin, “Suspended Dukes Threatening to Quit,” Tampa Bay Times, August 2, 2006. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2006/08/02/suspended-dukes-threatening-to-quit/.

37 Topkin, “Suspended Dukes Threatening to Quit.”

38 Marc Topkin, “Rays’ Dukes Arrested on Marijuana Charge,” Tampa Bay Times, January 17, 2007. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2007/01/17/rays-dukes-arrested-on-marijuana-charge/.

39 Topkin, “Rays’ Dukes Arrested on Marijuana Charge.”

40 Yankees Beat Rays on Emotional Opening Day,” ESPN.com, April 3, 2007. https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/270402110.

41 “Baseball Feats by Feats,” Baseball Almanac. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/feats5.shtml.

42 Nelson, “Dukes Letting Talent, Not Anger, Take Over.”

43 Nelson, “Dukes Letting Talent, Not Anger, Take Over.”

44 “A Decade of Trouble.”

45 Eduardo A. Encina, “Ballplayer’s Wife: ‘He Threatened Me, Kids,’” Tampa Bay Times, May 23, 2007.

46 Encina, “Ballplayer’s Wife: ‘He Threatened Me, Kids.’”

47 Carrie Weimar, “Judge Orders Devil Rays’ Elijah Dukes Away From Wife for One Year,” Lakeland Ledger, May 30, 2007. .https://www.theledger.com/story/news/2007/05/30/judge-orders-devil-rays-elijah-dukes-away-from-wife-for-one-year/25779433007/.

48 Abbie Vansickle, “Former Foster Teen Says She Is Carrying Dukes’ Baby,” Tampa Bay Times, June 13, 2007. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2007/06/13/former-foster-teen-says-she-is-carrying-dukes-baby/.

49 Jones, “TICK TICK TICK.”

50 Jones, “TICK TICK TICK.”

51 Jones, “TICK TICK TICK.”

52 Rushdi, “Elijah Dukes: Are His Problems the Result of a Bad Man or a Bad Childhood?”

53 Jones, “TICK TICK TICK.”

54 “Elijah Dukes’ Knee Is Dead, Dawg,” NBC Washington, October 20, 2008. https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/fanho-elijah-dukes-knee-is-dead-dawg/1839838/.

55 “Rain in Denver Postpones Nats-Rockies Game,” ESPN.com, August 7, 2008. https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280806127.

56 Bill Littlefield, “Elijah Dukes Gives Kids Questionable Advice for $500 a Minute,” WBUR, April 23, 2009. https://www.wbur.org/news/2009/04/23/elijah-dukes.

57 Andrew Giermak, “A Good Idea, a Fine, and a Reward,” Suffolk (Virginia) News-Herald, April 21, 2009. https://www.suffolknewsherald.com/2009/04/21/a-good-idea-a-fine-and-a-reward/.

58 Giermak, “A Good Idea, a Fine, and a Reward.”

59 “Acta (Defuses) Notion of Bad Blood with Outfielder Dukes,” ESPN.com, June 11, 2008. https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3438353.

60 “Nats: Dukes Let Go for On-Field Reasons.” ESPN.com, May 17, 2010. https://www.espn.com/mlb/spring2010/news/story?id=5002750.

61 “Nats: Dukes Let Go for On-Field Reasons.”

62 Nick Cafardo, “Cafardo’s Latest: Blue Jays, Dunn, Washburn, Dukes,” MLB Trade Rumors, May 2, 2010. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/05/cafardos-latest-blue-jays-dunn-washburn-dukes.html.

63 Craig Calcaterra. “Elijah Dukes Is Now a Rapper. And He Used to Smoke Weed before Nats Games.” NBC Sports, February 11, 2011. https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/elijah-dukes-is-no-a-rapper-and-he-used-to-smoke-weed-before-nats-games.

64 Calcaterra, “Elijah Dukes Is Now a Rapper”; “Elijah Dukes Embarks on Rap Career, Admits to Smoking Weed Before Nats Games. Meet Fly Eli?” Nats Enquirer, February 11, 2011. https://www.natsenquirer.com/2011/02/elijah-dukes-embarks-on-a-new-career-as-a-rapper-meet-fly-eli.html.

65 Calcaterra, “Elijah Dukes Is Now a Rapper.”

66 Brooks, “Report: Elijah Dukes Tried to Eat Bag of Marijuana After Traffic Stop.”

67 “Elijah Dukes Embarks on Rap Career.”

68 “Former Major Leaguer Dukes Arrested in Tampa,” ESPN.com, November 2, 2010. https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=5757912.

69 “Drug Charges Send Former Rays Outfielder Elijah Dukes to Jail Again,” Tampa Bay Times, February 23, 2012. https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/drug-charges-send-former-rays-outfielder-elijah-dukes-to-jail-again/1216712/.

70 “Elijah Dukes Accused of Slapping Pregnant Ex,” ESPN.com, March 3, 2011. https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=6177276.

71 “Former Montgomery Biscuit Elijah Dukes Arrested on Aggravated Battery Charge,” AL.com, March 3, 2011. https://www.al.com/sports/2011/03/former_montgomery_biscuit_elij.html.

72 Craig Calcaterra, “Shocker: Elijah Dukes Arrested Again,” NBC Sports, April 25, 2011. https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/shocker-elijah-dukes-arrested-again.

73 “Drug Charges Send Former Rays Outfielder Elijah Dukes to Jail Again.”

74 Laura C. Morel, “Former Rays Player Elijah Dukes Arrested in Tampa,” Tampa Bay Times, January 22, 2013. https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/former-rays-player-elijah-dukes-arrested-in-tampa/1271715/.

75 “Former Tampa Bay Rays Player Elijah Dukes Arrested in Brandon,” Tampa Bay Times, December 20, 2013. https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/former-ray-elijah-dukes-arrested-on-warrant-in-brandon/2157962/.

76 Search Results for “Elijah Dukes,” Florida Arrests.org. https://florida.arrests.org/search.php?minage=&maxage=&sex=&county=&chargecode=&fname=Elijah+&fpartial=True&lname=Dukes&startdate=&enddate=.

77 “Player Profile – Elijah Dukes,” Perfect Game.org. https://www.perfectgame.org/players/playerprofile.aspx?ID=714962.