Who is Shawne Merriman? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Shawne DeAndre Merriman, Lights Out

Age: 39 Years, 39 Year Old Males

Family:

mother: Gloria Williams

Born Country: United States

American Football Players American Men

Height: 6'4" (193 cm), 6'4" Males

City: Washington D.C.

More Facts

education: University Of Maryland

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Childhood & Early Life

Shawne DeAndre Merriman was born on May 25, 1984 in Washington, D.C. Nothing is known about his father except that he was hardly in the picture. As a result, Shawne was primarily raised by his mother, Gloria Williams, in a single parent home.

Born elder of his parents’ two children, he has a younger sister named Sada, two years junior to him. From his mother’s later marriage, he has a half-sister named Jaelund.

Initially living in Capitol Heights, Maryland, the children had a very difficult childhood. Although his mother did her best, adequate food was not always available. The surrounding area was also not good, with drugs being rampant on the street and so they were not allowed to go out.

In 1993, their apartment building was burned down by a teenager who threw Molotov cocktail through a window in order to warn a resident who had witnessed a murder. The incident not only left them homeless, but also deprived them of their belongings. Later, they moved to Upper Marlboro.

In Upper Marlboro, he entered Frederick Douglass High School. Unlike other kids in school, he never had any spending money or good dresses. Life at home continued to be unstable and although he did not talk about it his football coaches knew and paid special attention to him.

When he was in junior school the family lost their home once more; this time to an accidental fire; leaving him traumatized. During this time, his football coach, Mr. J. C. Pinkney, stood by him, providing him not only shelter for eight months, but also the much-needed adult attention.

His coaches also helped him to focus on sports, especially football and basketball, as a way of getting out of his trauma. Very soon, he had a purpose, which helped him to mature. It is possible that he had his first job during this period.

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Football Career in School & College

By the time Merriman reached his high school, his talent in football became noticeable. He was so focused in his game that in one match in his sophomore season he rendered four opposing players unconscious. Possibly because of this incident, he was soon nicknamed ‘Lights Out’.

In his senior year, he was selected to the first team all-state and named Maryland Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. Very soon, he began to be named by various recruiting magazines.

In 2002, after graduating from school, he received offers from various institutions. However, he chose to enter University of Maryland, College Park, intending to play for Maryland Terrapins football team. He studied there till 2005.

During his freshman year in 2002, he appeared in 13 matches, finishing third on the team with 5 sacks. By his sophomore year, he began to be considered the most dynamic defensive player of his team, never missing a match in spite of repeated injuries.

In his junior year, he broke on to the national scene and was named for the ACC All-Conference team. Also, in the same year, he earned Iron Terp award for the "strongest pound for pound player".

NLF Career

In 2005, Shawne Merriman was drafted in the first round (overall no 12) by the San Diego Chargers. Eventually on August 1, he signed a 5-year, $11.5 million contract.

In 2005 season, he appeared in 15 matches, recording a total number of ten sacks. In a game against Indianapolis Colts, he recorded 2 sacks and 2 tackles, garnering much national media attention. Soon after this, he was voted into the Pro Bowl as an Outside Linebacker (OLB).

In October 2006, he was suspended for four matches for breaking NFL’s steroid policy; he tested positive for 19 out of 20 in performance-enhancing drug tests. Later, he rejoined his team, appearing in a total of 12 matches, in which he made 17 sacks and 63 tackles, 49 solo and 14 assisted.

In the 2007 season, he appeared in 15 games, in which he performed 12.5 sacks in addition to making 54 solo and 14 assisted tackles. Also in the same year, he was voted to the Pro bowl for the third consecutive year.

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In 2008 season, he appeared in only one match because of his knee injury, making two tackles, one solo and one assisted, in the game. Even after a surgery it continued to trouble him throughout the 2009 season and this with a painful foot injury limited his playing capacity.

Injuries continued to trail him even in the 2010 season, as a result of which he could appear in only three matches that season, making six tackles and zero sacks. Eventually on November 2, 2010, he was put on waivers by the SDC.

On November 3, 2010, he was claimed off by Buffalo Bills.; but there too injury continued to bother him. On November 10, during the first workout with his new teammates, he suffered Achilles injury and was placed on injury reserve on November 27.

On January 1, 2011, he signed a two-year contract extension with the Buffalo Bills. However, he could appear only in fifteen matches in 2011 and 2012 seasons due to persistent injuries, recording 2 sacks and 19 solo tackles during this period. He finally announced his retirement on March 5, 2013.

Other Ventures

Shawne Merriman is now the CEO of “Lights Out’’, his own apparel company, which he claims to be "a one stop shop for professional grade equipment and fitness supplies". He had bought the name back in 2007, but actually started working full time post retirement.

In April 2019, he teamed with Steven Bash and George Bastrmajyan to form Lights Out Xtreme Fighting. It held its first event on May 11, 2019.

Awards & Achievements

On January 4, 2006, Shawne Merriman was awarded with The Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

Family & Personal Life

Shawne Merriman has dated various models and realty TV stars, one of the being Tila Tequila. On September 6, 2009, he allegedly chocked and restrained her from leaving his apartment. However, charges were very soon dismissed.

Merriman is also known for his philanthropy. In 2003, he founded Lights Out Foundation, a charitable organization, which provides coats to people without adequate winter clothing. He also works with the homeless and regularly donates to other charitable organization.

Shawne Merriman Biography