Shawne Merriman: NFL to MMA, a $32K team dinner, how he got "Lights Out" nickname

In the latest episode of the NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, hosts Peanut and Roman sit down with Shawne Merriman, the 2005 Defensive Rookie of the Year. Shawne shares stories from his NFL days, including a memorable rookie dinner that left him with a $32,000 bill. He also talks about the injuries that eventually led to his retirement and how he found a new passion in MMA and started his own company called Lights Out Xtreme Fighting. And in a fun twist, Peanut challenges Roman to a fight, and Shawne is ready to make it happen!

Time codes:

3:32 - Shawne tells his welcome to the NFL moment

4:43 - Shawne tells story about being stuck with a $32k bill

10:11 - Shawne talking about his dominant first three years in the NFL

11:59 - Shawne talks about playing 2007 with torn knee ligaments

16:15 - Shawne talks about the hit with Kevin Mawae hitting him in the knee that started his knee issues

17:13 - Shawne talks about getting a lot of tests while playing well

19:11 - Shawne on when he knew it was time to retire

23:40 - Shawne on the former player who challenged him to a fight on radio row - Kyle Turley

25:37 - Shawne on how he got into the MMA industry

27:17 - Shawne talks about his MMA league Lights Out Xtreme Fighting

31:02 - Shawne on the lessons he’s learned when starting his own company

32:32 - Shawne on how finding a passion in MMA has helped him in his transition

33:53 - Shawne’s advice for players interested in getting into MMA

38:08 - Shawne talks about how he knocked out 4 players in a high school game

40:18 - Shawne talks about when the Lights Out dance started

44:22 - Shawne shares who is on his personal Mount Rushmore

47:15 - Shawne on who he would want to battle in a cage match

NOTE: Time codes are approximate

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