Damen Wheeler

Damen Keoki Wheeler (born September 3, 1977) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL), the New York/New Jersey Hitmen of the XFL, and the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League (AFL). He played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes. He was also a member of the San Diego Chargers, Detroit Lions, and St. Louis Rams but did not appear in any games for any of those teams.

Early life Damen Keoki Wheeler was born on September 3, 1977, in Sacramento, California.

College career Wheeler played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes from 1996 to 1999 and was a four-year letterman. He started all of the team's games in 1997, accumulating 30 tackles, one interception and eight pass breakups while also returning seven punts for 91 yards. He officially signed with the team on July 18. He was waived on July 24, 2000.

Wheeler was signed to the practice squad of the Detroit Lions of the NFL on August 31, 2000. He was waived on September 19, 2000.

He then signed with the NFL's St. Louis Rams on May 5, 2001, but was later waived on September 1, 2001. He became a free agent after the season, and re-signed with the Jaguars on April 3, 2002. Wheeler was released on September 2, 2002. He played in 15 games, all starts, during the 2003 season, recording 52 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, five interceptions, 15 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumbles recoveries and one blocked kick, earning AFL All-Rookie team honors as a defensive specialist. He re-signed with the team on February 2, 2004. He finished his AFL career with totals of 293 solo tackles, 97 assisted tackles, 29 interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 87 pass breakups, 20 forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, and one blocked kick.

Personal life His son Damen Wheeler Jr. played college football at American River College and Missouri Western.