Joseph Heath Shuler started his football career in Bryson City, North Carolina where he became a standout quarterback and led his team to two state championships. He was eventually named North Carolina High School Player of the Year; and then went on to have a shining career at the University of Tennessee where he gained national attention as one of SEC’s top quarterbacks. Shuler scored a school record 11 rushing TDs in 1992, a mark still atop the Tennessee charts for a quarterback. The next season, he became a legend with 2,354 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, leading the Tennessee Volunteers to an appearance in the Citrus Bowl. Overall, he passed for more than 4,000 career yards and set numerous Tennessee passing records.
Shuler was the 1993 Heisman Trophy runner-up, was selected first team All-SEC and was named SEC Player of the Year and finalist for the Davy O’Brien and Maxwell Awards.
He paved the way for Volunteer quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Tee Martin.
A first-round draft choice in 1994, Shuler played for the NFL’s Washington Redskins (1994-96) and the New Orleans Saints (1997-98).
Shuler played for Washington and the New Orleans Saints during his NFL career. In 2013 after he retired, he led a successful campaign for U.S. Congress where he served in Washington for six years.
He and his family now live in Asheville, North Carolina.
Welcome to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2020, Heath Shuler.