Shelton Quarles


Shelton Eugene Quarles is a former linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team he played for in his ten-year career from 1997 to 2006. He formally served as the Director of Pro Scouting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but now serves as Director of Football Operations for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Early years

Quarles is an alumnus of in Nashville, Tennessee and was a student and a letterman in football. In football, he won a first-team All-State honors as a senior, and finished his career with 30 sacks, 505 tackles, and five interceptions. He was also a member of National Honor Society. Shelton Quarles graduated from Whites Creek High School in 1990.

College and pro career

Quarles played college football in Vanderbilt earning second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors as a senior and signed as an undrafted free agent by the Miami Dolphins in 1994 but was cut in training camp. Quarles then played for two seasons with the Canadian Football League's BC Lions before signing with the Buccaneers as a free agent in 1997.
Quarles helped lead the Buccaneers to their first Super Bowl championship in the 2002 season. Quarles also holds the record for the longest play in Buccaneers' history with a 98-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in 2001. On April 24, 2007 it was announced that the Bucs were going to release him before the 2007 NFL Draft after he failed a physical.

Post-Playing Career

On August 1, 2007, the Buccaneers hired Quarles as a pro scout in their personnel department.
On January 20, 2011, the Buccaneers promoted Quarles to Coordinator of Pro Scouting.
On July 16, 2013, the Buccaneers promoted Quarles to Director of Pro Scouting.
On May 29, 2014, the Buccaneers promoted Quarles to Director of Football Operations.
Quarles has also launched the whose mission is to benefit at-risk children, youth, and their families by providing assistance, programs, and events designed to build self-esteem, provide unique life changing opportunities, and beneficiaries to set and achieve life goals.
Upon retiring Quarles was appointed by Florida Governor Charlie Crist to the board of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority. He served in the position until 2009.