It's an injury that led to the Chargers waiving him during the 2010 season. That was a marked drop-off for a player who became an instant NFL star after being selected by San Diego 12th overall in the 2005 draft.Ĭombining for 39½ sacks in his first three seasons with the Chargers, Merriman earned the nickname "Lights Out" as one of the league's fiercest pass rushers.Ī series of injuries, however, caught up to him, and he was particularly bothered by a sore right Achilles tendon. In signing a one-year $700,000 contract, Merriman finished last season with 17 tackles and one sack in 10 games, including one start. He returned to the Bills with a noticeably sun-burnt face, sheepishly explaining he had fallen asleep on the beach after working out at his home in Miami. Merriman had expressed surprise he went unsigned for the first six weeks of last season. That included last year, when he was cut by the Bills in August only to be re-signed by Buffalo in October to help address the team's injury-riddled defense. The decision comes a week before he was eligible to become a free agent, and after spending parts of the past three seasons in Buffalo. "I have a very Big announcement," Merriman wrote. The 28-year-old Merriman also posted a note on his Twitter account, which included a link to his website (). The team later confirmed Merriman's intentions in a text message and on its Twitter account. "I am retiring because I want to retire on my own terms and leave while I know I can still physically play the game." "I retire today not because I don't feel I can go out there and still play the game at a very high level," Merriman wrote. The three-time Pro Bowl selection and 2005 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year said on his website Tuesday night that he intends to file retirement papers. Linebacker Shawne Merriman is calling it "Lights Out" on his career. NFL, Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers, Tennessee TitansīUFFALO, N.Y. We feel Shawne's signing with WBKFF opens the doors to champions from all sports, and shows that he has the guts and courage to step into this gladiator's sport.You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser "Shawne was a proven warrior on the field and we look forward to seeing him in the ring. "We are thrilled to have Shawne as part of our team," said WBKFF CEO Tom Stankiewicz. The event will take place this fall in Casper, Wyoming, and is expected to air via pay-per-view online. I get to train for the next six to eight weeks and go show everyone what I can do."Ī date and opponent for Merriman's bout has yet to be determined. I'm looking forward to having some fun out there. "I've been kicking tires for years, this is a good place for me to start. "Right now, this is the best opportunity for what I want to do," Merriman said in a statement to ESPN. A three-time Pro Bowl selection with the San Diego Chargers, Merriman - whose nickname was "Lights Out" during his playing career - retired from professional football in 2013. Merriman, 34, has teased the possibility of competing in combat sports, notably mixed martial arts, for years. Former NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman has signed a deal with the World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation (WBKFF) to compete in a boxing match later this year.
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