Passion, energy, leadership, heart and family. These are just a few words that help describe Chargers right tackle D.J. Fluker.
With a clear commanding vocal presence on the field and in the locker room, Fluker is a shot of adrenaline in The Chargers preverbal arm. Combined with size, quickness and immense power, Fluker became a key contributor along the offensive line and helped resurrect a rushing offense that finished 13th in the league in 2013.
A 2013 1st round pick out of Alabama, Fluker developed an attitude and built his reputation on toughness. But overcoming obstacles and persevering challenges started long before Fluker stepped on a football field.
Born in the Bayou city of New Orleans, Fluker and his family fell victim to one of the worst natural disasters in history when Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. Like several families that returned to their homes after the hurricane passed, Fluker’s home was reduced to nothing but a concrete slab. Following the devastation, the family was able to relocate to Mobile Alabama and for a brief period of time were forced to sleep in a small car for several nights.
“We went church to church, shelter to shelter. Sometimes we couldn’t do that so we would sleep in the car.” (Wertheim)
With the situation seemingly at it’s worse, Fluker was able to attain qualities that would follow him for the rest of his life at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School. It was here that Fluker would find his true calling in life.
While working odd jobs to assist his mother with finances, Fluker began his football career on the defensive side of the ball and became a stout defensive tackle for McGill Toolen. After some personal issues that forced Fluker’s mother Annice to move the family to Biloxi, Fluker’s trailer home tragically burnt to the ground due to some children playing with matches. It was a devastating event that gave another turn to Fluker’s life but a change that would also bring him back to Alabama and place him in a position that would would shape the rest of his football career.
Much like his teammates have witnessed in The Charger locker room, Fluker quickly became the voice of pregame speeches during his tenure at Alabama. Fluker established himself as a linchpin at the right tackle position for The Crimson Tide and became a three time BCS Champion.
“Some people go out there and don’t have that emotion, and I try to get my teammates to think about things to get them going.” (Henne)
When Fluker made the decision to enter the NFL Draft, his play, leadership and passion got the attention of Chargers GM Tom Telesco. With an impressive collegiate career and numerous skills and characteristics that were needed to help rebuild an offensive line, Fluker was selected 11th overall in the first round by The Chargers in 2013.
But even in achieving his own success, he never forgot who gave him the opportunity to achieve his dreams. Shorty after being drafted, Fluker used a portion of his signing bonus to purchase his mother a house in Mobile.
While Fluker began turning heads from the moment he stepped on the practice field in preseason in his rookie year, it was a late season talk with Head Coach mike McCoy that would make him a locker room captain.
With few games remaining in the 2013 season, Fluker asked permission from coach McCoy to address his teammates in the locker room. That speech helped rally the team to win it’s final four games of the season and saw The Chargers reach the playoffs for the first time in 3 years.
No matter the stats, records, wins or losses throughout his football career, Fluker has a presence to him that simply cannot be taught. His emotion and love for the game has filtered into his teammates both veteran and rookie alike.
“I get the vibe when I see my teammates respond to me. I can tell they have that fire in their eyes, and when you get that fire in your eyes you better watch out. That beast is coming out.” (Henne)
In his short tenure in the NFL, Fluker has established himself and proven that resiiancy and defying the odds are a daily battle in both life and on the football field.
