Michael Francis Dukes (March 16, 1936 – June 16, 2008) was an American collegiate and professional football player who was best known as a linebacker for the original Houston Oilers.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Dukes attended Southwest DeKalb High School in Decatur, Georgia and then played in college for Clemson University.

He then played the 1959 season for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL).

[1][2] Dukes left the NFL for the upstart American Football League (AFL) where he played eleven seasons for the Oilers, Boston Patriots and New York Jets.

Dukes died in an automobile accident on Interstate 10 in Beaumont, Texas on June 16, 2008, at age 72.