Shaun Phillips


 * Not to be confused with British comic book artist Sean Phillips, or American musician Shawn Phillips

Shaun Jamal Phillips (born May 13, 1981) is an American football outside linebacker who is currently a free agent in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Purdue University, and was picked by the Chargers in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft.

Early years
Phillips grew up in Willingboro, New Jersey and attended Willingboro High School in Willingboro Township, New Jersey, lettering in football, basketball, and track. In football, he was an All-City selection, an All-South Jersey selection, and an All-State selection.

College career
Phillips accepted a scholarship offer to attend Purdue University following high school, choosing Purdue in part due to his desire to catch passes from quarterback Drew Brees as a tight end.

After being forced to sit out his freshman season due to low standardized test scores, Phillips was immediately assigned to the defensive side of the ball, and started as a freshman at defensive end. He earned All-Big Ten honorable mention in each of his first three seasons.

As a senior, Phillips totaled 14.5 sacks, pushing his career total to 33.5, a school record, highlighted by a 3.5 sack performance in Purdue's 26-23 win at Wisconsin Badgers. He was named a second-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten performer. Phillips started 49 consecutive games as a Boilermaker.

Phillips was often used on offense as a tight end in goal line situations, and caught two touchdown passes during his career.

Shaun Phillips graduated from Purdue University in May 2003 with a degree in restaurant, hotel and institutional management.

2004 NFL Draft
Phillips was drafted by the Chargers 98th overall in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft and was the 3rd Purdue player selected after Nick Hardwick and Stuart Schweigert, who both went in the 3rd round.

San Diego Chargers
As a rookie, Shaun Phillips played in all 16 games and was second on the team with four sacks. He continued to improve in his second season as he recorded seven sacks in 15 games, good for second on the team.

Prior to the 2006 season, Phillips had mostly been used as a pass rush specialist rather than an every-down linebacker. But with the September 2006 shooting of teammate Steve Foley, Phillips moved into the starting right outside linebacker spot previously occupied by Foley. He made an instant impact and finished his first season as a starter tied for 9th in sacks in the NFL despite missing 2 games with a midseason calf injury. He was a second alternate for the 2007 Pro Bowl. Phillips starts opposite Shawne Merriman as the weak side or "will" outside linebacker and usually lines up against the side of the offensive line that does not contain the opposing team's tight end.

On February 20, 2007, Phillips signed a six-year contract extension with the Chargers through 2012 with $13 Million guaranteed the first 2 years.

In the 2007 season Phillips had 8.5 sacks.

In the 2009 season Phillips led the NFL with 7 forced fumbles, led the Chargers with 7 sacks, and tied Larry English for the team lead with 16 quarterback hits.

In week 4 in 2010, Phillips had a career day with 4 sacks against the Arizona Cardinals. He also returned an interception for a touchdown in a 41-10 blowout.

Phillips was named to the 2011 Pro Bowl as a replacement for Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison.