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 approximateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.