It seems that nothing has ever come easily for D.J. Shockley.
The former Georgia quarterback out of North Clayton High had to bide his time, then share time with David Greene before finally getting his time to play for the Bulldogs.
A knee injury robbed him of his time just when his opportunity came with the Falcons.
Now 28 and out of the NFL, the 2006 seventh-round draft choice is still trying to fulfill his professional football dreams. He’s currently in the midst of camp with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League (UFL).
Before he left for Omah, Shockley spoke with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about life in the UFL, his time with the Falcons and his family life.
Q: So you had four years as a backup in the NFL and played a little UFL ball last year. Tell me why you’re heading back to the UFL again this year?
A: Well, I still feel like I can play. This is another chance for me to prove to NFL teams that I can play at a high level. For me, just having a chance to play football is awesome. Like I tell a lot of people, the talent level in the UFL is pretty good. Real good, in fact. It’s made up of guys that either are trying to get into the NFL or have been in the NFL and are trying to get back. ... So it gives you an opportunity to get out there and make yourself better. And it also gives you some film and that’s important because the ultimate goal is to get back to the NFL.
Q: I understand a lot of former Bulldogs are competing in the UFL. That true?
A: Oh, yeah. George Foster and Jermaine Phillips were out there [in Omaha] with me last year. Nic Clemons was also. I think George is coming back this year. So the Bulldog Nation is pretty well represented out there in Omaha, Neb.
Q: You were pretty close to making it happen in Atlanta before the knee injury happened. What did you take away from your time with the Falcons?
A: The window of opportunity is so small in the NFL. I don’t know if people realize that. My time there is a perfect example. My rookie year, usually you come in and you wait and you learn what’s going on, which is what I did. We had Michael Vick and Matt Schaub, two well-established QBs there. Then the second year, Mike goes through his issues and Matt goes to Houston and, hey, here’s my opportunity right here. I’m thinking, ‘this is my time right now.’ ... But then I end up tearing up my knee that second year, and I think the Falcons may have gone through three or four quarterbacks that season. It definitely would have been an opportunity and a chance for me to show I can play on this level. The next year, my third year, the Falcons drafted Matt Ryan. So just in that small window was the time I had for the Falcons.
Q: You married your high school sweetheart, Portia, two years ago this month, and I understand you guys have started a family now. How long do you plan to pursue football before you move on?
A: We had a little girl named Milan, who turned 1 in April. That’s a huge reason why I’m doing things other than football to keep me going. My family is a huge influence in my life and I’m having to start thinking further down the road now. Not to say I don’t still have it, but if somebody doesn’t think I still do, then I’ll know it’s time to move on. But I’m definitely positioning myself now to get another chance to play. If I do catch on, then fine. If not, then I’ll look for an opportunity for another career to make a living for my family.
