Hakeem Valles is a professional American football player who last played for the Blues of The Spring League. He plays in the tight end position for the team. His rise to fame and popularity dates back to his days playing collegiate and the challenges of being an undrafted player in the NFL. In recent years he has switched careers to real estate.
Many think his career is moving at a slow pace and they may not be wrong with such thoughts. While this view is held by many, Hakeem has done a great deal in his career.
While there may be reasons for his slow career, there are many fascinating facts about the player that you should know.
Who Is Hakeem Valles?
Hakeem Valles was born in Sicklerville, Winslow Township, New Jersey on 23rd November 1992. His father is Paul Valles, a US Army and New Jersey veteran. Hakeem’s mother, Pam Valles is interested in autistic children which she combines with her work as a preschool teacher.
He is currently 32 years old.
He attended high school at Peddie School in Hightstown, New Jersey. Hakeem attended the prominent through a nonprofit, A Better Chance which seeks to give academically gifted children of color a chance.
While at school he was actively playing for the school team as a wide receiver. Starting from his junior year, he got the accolade for First team All-New Jersey.
Hakeem’s ability to maneuver other positions was noticed from those early years at high school. He sometimes played quarterback and defensive back.
He moved to Monmouth University where he obtained his degree in Business Administration. Hakeem played for the Monmouth Black Hawks while schooling there. He became team captain for the team in his senior year.
Possible Reasons why His Career Is Slow
From his collegiate years to his NFL career with three different teams so far, there have been so many inconsistencies.
Starting from his first signing with Arizona Cardinals to the New York Giants, he keeps shifting from field to practice squad.
Also, many shifts to hone skill in different positions is reducing his playtime.
In 2019, Hakeem hung his boots after realizing that he may not be a great franchise player in the NFL. These days he is concentrating on his real estate business.
It is not known whether he is fully retired or not but this will slow his football career in the coming years.
10 Other Facts About Hakeem Valles
1. Hakeem Valles Was Redshirted In 2011
He was redshirted in his first year to lengthen his eligibility. Hakeem attended Monmouth University between 2012 and 2015 meaning he took off one year to suit up for collegiate football.
During his redshirt year, Hakeem played as a wide receiver. He held the position till 2014 while at training camp. Hakeem switched to Tight end. It is not surprising for Hakeem to be able to switch his positions, right from high school, he always had the ability.
2. He Joined The NFL Without Drafting
How true the words of Lance Zierlein were when he predicted Hakeem’s draft position. As the 30th best tight end in the 2016 NFL draft, Hakeem was noticed.
Zierlein predicted he will make it to the 7th round which he was wrong but his next prediction came true. He had said, Hakeem may join the NFL as a priority free agent.
Zierlein made his observations from the angle of Hakeem’s size and his ability to hone a skill for a position. Hakeem was not drafted in the 2016 draft season though.
3. Hakeem Valles Career With the Arizona Cardinals
As a free agent, Hakeem was signed by the Arizona Cardinals on 2nd May 2016. Within the same year, Hakeen was released by the team, set on the practice squad, and put back on the active roster.
Interestingly, he officially joined the NFL during his debut match against the San Francisco 49ers. He recorded three personal tackles in the 11 games he played while having only one start.
4. Hakeem Valles Real Estate Business
After his football career ended, he went into the real estate market targeting multi-family properties. He started showing interest in the market even before he hung his football boots.
These days, Hakeem travels nationwide as a speaker on investment and the real estate market.
He also started Perspective Media limited, it is a company that helps in branding.
5. His Brother Plays In The NFL
His younger brother, Max plays in NFL for Ottawa Redblacks. Max was drafted in 2015 and signed by the Oakland Raiders.
He started 12 starts in his sophomore year at the University of Virginia.
6. His Height And Weight
Hakeem stands tall with a height of 6 ft 5inches and weighs 118kg.
The combination of his speed and height has helped to push his career. It may account for one of the reasons Arizona signed him.
7. Hakeem Valles Was Almost Shot In Haiti
With deep roots in Haiti, Hakeem’s visit to the island nation left him with a story that he never forgets. His grandparents migrated to the US in the 1960s.
He joined a missionary group, All Hands Together in 2015 to visit the island nation.
While there, their residence was attacked and he witnessed gunshots that gave him nightmares for a long time after he returned to the US. He narrowly escaped being murdered by robbers and he left Haiti the next day after the attack.
8. Why He Was Not Recruited By Top Schools
In his senior year, Hakeem suffered from a torn shoulder labrum. This prevented top schools like Boston College, UConn, and Delaware from recruiting him.
However, he proved himself at Monmouth Summer camp and was signed with the school as a wide receiver.
9. Hakeem Valles Wife And Children
He is married and raising a family. Details about his marriage are few.
He had his first child in August 2018. He named her Lucienne after his grandmother.
10. Hakeem Valle Net Worth
During the years he played as a professional footballer with the NFL, he made some cash. His source of income includes his thriving real estate business.
He has not revealed his net worth but sources claim he may be worth over $1 million.
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