Shawne Merriman

Shawne Merriman

Merriman in 2023
No. 56
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(1984-05-25) May 25, 1984 (age 40) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	261 lb (118 kg)
Career information
High school:	Douglass (Upper Marlboro, Maryland)
College:	Maryland (2002–2004)
NFL draft:	2005 / round: 1 / pick: 12
Career history
San Diego Chargers (2005–2010) Buffalo Bills (2010–2012)
Career highlights and awards
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2005) First-team All-Pro (2006) Second-team All-Pro (2007) 3× Pro Bowl (2005–2007) NFL sacks leader (2006) PFWA All-Rookie Team (2005) San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team First-team All-ACC (2004)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 258 Sacks: 45.5 Forced fumbles: 8 Fumble recoveries: 4 Pass deflections: 20 Interceptions: 1 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Shawne DeAndre Merriman^[1] (born May 25, 1984), nicknamed "Lights Out", is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins and was selected 12th overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2005 NFL draft. He earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in his first season and recorded 39+1⁄2 quarterback sacks in his first three seasons, also making three Pro Bowls as well as two All-Pro selections. He was hampered by injuries his next three seasons, and the Chargers waived Merriman midseason in 2010. He was picked up through waivers by the Buffalo Bills that season, but he only played minimally with the Bills due to continued injuries. He was released by the Bills before the 2012 season however, they re-signed him midseason. He retired at the end of the 2012 season.