Tampa Bay Devil Rays rookie Elijah Dukes has shown flashes of stardom in his first season in the Major Leagues. But make no mistake, he’s still a world class piece of shit. Dukes’ wife, NiShea Gilbert, has filed a restraining order against Dukes after he threatened to kill her.

Gilbert told a Florida court that Dukes threatened to kill her and sent her a photo of a handgun to her cell phone.

Gilbert played a voice mail allegedly from Dukes for the newspaper. “You dead, dawg. I ain’t even bullshitting. Your kids, too.”

Gilbert has filed requests for protection twice in the last month, according to the newspaper. A hearing on her latest request is scheduled for May 30.

I know there’s bound to be a few bad eggs in such a huge pool of athletes. But seriously, how many of these guys are pure scum? We know all about the problems the NFL and NBA have had. Then there’s this controversy with Dukes, who is trying to play himself into a regular role with the Rays. This incident won’t help matters.

When the St. Petersburg Times asked Duke about the restraining order, he refused comment, saying that he “had a video game to finish.” That’s a real acceptable answer Elijah. To hell with those allegations of you threatening to kill your wife. Go ahead and finish your game of Madden. Run that two minute drill, Elijah.