After playing under the lights at Mile High Stadium, a former Denver tight end has chosen to trade in his NFL helmet for a Denver Fire helmet. Former Bronco Wesley Duke is now one of Denver Fire Department’s newest and most energetic firefighters.
Duke, who played for the Broncos in 2005, said the decision to become a firefighter was fueled by commonalities between athletics and firefighting, and a desire to give back to the community that supported his career in the NFL.
“I’ve done a lot of good jobs. This is my third professional career, and by far the best,” Duke told CBS4’s Dillon Thomas.
After leaving professional football, Duke worked as an over-the-road truck driver. He got married and had three children in that time. Duke said truck diving paid well, but wasn’t as exciting and potentially fulfilling as working a servant to his community.