Career Timeline of Shawne Merriman: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Shawne Merriman, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Shawne Merriman, nicknamed "Lights Out," is a former NFL linebacker. Drafted 12th overall by the San Diego Chargers in 2005 after playing college football for Maryland, he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Merriman achieved significant success early in his career, recording 39.5 sacks in his first three seasons, earning three Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro selections. However, injuries plagued his later career, leading to his release from the Chargers in 2010. He joined the Buffalo Bills that same year, but his playing time was limited due to ongoing injuries. After being released and briefly re-signed by the Bills, Merriman retired at the end of the 2012 season.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

2002: Freshman Campaign

During his freshman campaign in 2002, Merriman appeared in 13 games for the Maryland Terrapins, finishing third on the team with 5 sacks.

2003: Record Vertical Jump

In 2003, Merriman recorded a 41.5" vertical jump, which was the best ever by a Maryland defensive lineman to that point.

2005: First Team All-Pro

From 2005 to 2007, Merriman was named First-Team All-Pro in his first 2 seasons.

2005: Drafted by San Diego Chargers

In 2005, Shawne Merriman was drafted 12th overall by the San Diego Chargers in the NFL draft after playing college football for the Maryland Terrapins. He also earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

2005: Selected in the NFL Draft

In 2005, Shawne Merriman was selected in the first round (12th overall) of the NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers.

2005: Rookie Season

In 2005, during his rookie year, Shawne Merriman started on the inactive list, held out of training camp for 10 days, broke into the starting lineup by week 7, recorded 6 sacks in his first 4 starts, and was voted into the Pro Bowl as an OLB. His best game was in week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts.

2005: Draft Pick Used

In the 2005 NFL Draft, the Giants' draft pick, which ended up being the 12th overall pick, was used by the Chargers to select Merriman.

February 12, 2006: NFL Pro Bowl Participation

On February 12, 2006, Shawne Merriman participated in the 2006 NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii, making 3 tackles and forcing one fumble.

2006: 2006 Season and Suspension

In 2006, after a 4-game suspension for steroids, Merriman recorded 8.5 sacks, made ESPN's midseason All-pro team, and led the league in sacks with 17.5 despite playing only 12 games. He finished third in balloting for Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year.

October 10, 2007: Merriman Cover Athlete for NFL Tour

On October 10, 2007, Shawne Merriman was chosen as the cover athlete for EA Sports' NFL Tour video game.

2007: Sack Dance Revival

In 2007, Merriman initially announced he would no longer perform his signature sack dance, but he revived it in week 4 after sacking the Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback, citing encouragement from teammates and Charger fans.

2007: Third Consecutive Pro Bowl

In 2007, Merriman was named to the Pro Bowl for a third consecutive year. From 2005 to 2007, he had a total of 39.5 sacks in three seasons. He had also been named First-Team All-Pro in his first 2 seasons, while earning a Second-Team All-Pro selection in his 3rd season.

June 1, 2008: Merriman Appearance at WWE One Night Stand 2008

On June 1, 2008, Shawne Merriman made a special appearance at WWE's One Night Stand 2008, where he hit Chavo Guerrero with a Singapore Cane.

2008: Knee Surgery and Injured Reserve

In 2008, Merriman underwent reconstructive knee surgery to repair torn ligaments and was placed on the Injured Reserve, missing the rest of the NFL season.

2009: Injured Season

During the 2009 season, Merriman struggled with a painful foot injury and troubled knees, resulting in only four sacks for the season.

2009: "Lights Out" dance celebration

From 2006 to 2009, Merriman performed a dance to celebrate each of his 17.5 sacks. After the Chargers were eliminated in the playoffs by the New England Patriots that season, members of the Patriots began performing Merriman's "Lights Out" dance on the field in celebration.

March 4, 2010: Franchise Tender Placed

On March 4, 2010, the San Diego Chargers announced that they would place their first and third round franchise tender on Merriman, thus retaining him as a Charger.

August 13, 2010: Signed Tender and Reported to Camp

On August 13, 2010, after a two-week holdout, Shawne Merriman signed the tender and reported to camp with the San Diego Chargers.

November 2, 2010: Placed on Waivers

On November 2, 2010, Merriman was put on waivers by the Chargers after being placed on injured reserve in October due to a re-injured calf. He had only four sacks in his last three seasons in San Diego.

2010: Merriman on GNC's Athlete Tour 2010

In 2010, Shawne Merriman appeared on GNC's Athlete Tour under his MusclePharm sponsorship.

2010: Waived by the Chargers and picked up by the Bills

In 2010, after being hampered by injuries for three seasons, the Chargers waived Merriman midseason. He was then picked up through waivers by the Buffalo Bills that same season.

January 1, 2011: Signed with the Bills

On January 1, 2011, Merriman signed a two-year contract extension worth $10.5 million with the Bills.

October 25, 2011: Injured Reserve

On October 25, 2011, Merriman was placed on the Injured Reserve list for the second consecutive season after suffering a partially torn Achilles tendon.

July 27, 2012: Merriman on WGR Sports Radio 550's "Schopp and the Bulldog"

On July 27, 2012, Shawne Merriman appeared on WGR Sports Radio 550's "Schopp and the Bulldog" in Buffalo, New York, visiting the show's studio at Bills' training camp in Rochester, New York.

October 15, 2012: Return to the Bills

On October 15, 2012, Shawne Merriman signed a contract to return to the Buffalo Bills.

2012: Retirement from NFL

At the end of the 2012 season, Shawne Merriman retired from the NFL after being released by the Buffalo Bills earlier in the year, only to be re-signed midseason.

2012: Release from the Bills

During the 2012 offseason, Merriman was moved from outside linebacker to defensive end. On August 20, 2012, the team released Merriman.

2012: Salary Guarantee

In 2011, Merriman signed a two-year contract with the Bills that contained $3 million of his 2012 salary as guaranteed.

March 5, 2013: Retirement Announcement

On March 5, 2013, Shawne Merriman officially announced his retirement from professional football.

April 6, 2014: Merriman WrestleMania XXX Pre-Show Analyst

On April 6, 2014, Shawne Merriman returned to WWE as a WrestleMania XXX pre-show analyst and again the following night on Monday Night RAW's pre- and post-show on the WWE Network.

April 2014: Merriman joins and leaves WWE

In April 2014, Shawne Merriman appeared on the pre-show of WrestleMania XXX and was reported to have "joined the WWE family." However, by August 27, reports surfaced indicating Merriman was no longer contracted to WWE.

January 2015: Negotiations with GANRYUJIMA

In January 2015, GANRYUJIMA announced that they were negotiating with Shawne Merriman for him to be a fighter, but they were unable to reach an agreement.

2017: Merriman on MTV's The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros

In 2017, Shawne Merriman appeared on MTV's The Challenge: Champs vs. Pros, playing for his charity, the Lights On Foundation.

2017: Merriman partners with NASCAR driver Jesse Iwuji

In 2017, Shawne Merriman partnered with NASCAR driver Jesse Iwuji, serving as the owner of Iwuji's No. 36 car after meeting at a fashion show promoting Merriman's clothing line, "Lights Out".

August 2018: Merriman signs with WBKFF

In August 2018, Shawne Merriman signed with the World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation to appear in a fight later that year.

November 9, 2018: Merriman's WBKFF fight cancelled

On November 9, 2018, Shawne Merriman was expected to face Mike Bourke in the inaugural WBKFF event, but the fight was cancelled due to suspicions about Bourke's previous fight and a contract pay dispute.

2018: Merriman on The Dirty Sports Podcast and FS1

In 2018, Shawne Merriman appeared as a guest on The Dirty Sports Podcast and as an NFL analyst on FS1.

April 2019: Merriman starts Lights Out Xtreme Fighting

In April 2019, Shawne Merriman announced that he is starting his own MMA promotion, Lights Out Xtreme Fighting.

May 11, 2019: Inaugural Lights Out Xtreme Fighting event

On May 11, 2019, Shawne Merriman's MMA promotion, Lights Out Xtreme Fighting, was expected to have its inaugural event.

April 20, 2024: Merriman turns on Joe Hendry at TNA Rebellion

On April 20, 2024, at Rebellion, Shawne Merriman initially supported Joe Hendry during his match against Rich Swann, but turned on Hendry, allowing Swann to win.