Merriman helps wildfire victims rebuild house

Wednesday, Feb 20, 2008
By Jennifer Rojas, Chargers.com

Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman made a commitment to become a leader both on the field and in the community when he first arrived to San Diego as a rookie in 2004.

On the field, that quest has manifested itself by being voted to three Pro Bowl all-star teams in as many seasons.

His latest endeavor as a supporter and leader in the San Diego community was revealed this past weekend when Lights Out Development, a construction company of which he is a part-owner, unveiled the first rebuilt home that was destroyed by last October’s Witch Creek fire.

Merriman joined home owner Josh and Kristy Mellow as they toured their new two-story home only three months after the fires engulfed their previous home in Rancho Bernardo, a North San Diego suburb.

Losing his home to fires twice during his childhood years in Maryland, Merriman knows what it’s like to lose everything. He remembers the helplessness and used the experience as extra motivation to help out.

“It motivated me because I know the feeling after you lose a house, especially to a fire,” Merriman said. “You don’t think it’s possible to live or get back to where you were or even better. It motivated me that much more to get the house built and get it done the way they wanted it.”

The Mellow’s house was one of more than 1,700 houses burned during the wildfires. Merriman himself was evacuated along with many of his teammates from the North County area.

As the wildfires raged around San Diego County, the team ended up going to Arizona to prepare for a game versus the Houston Texans. It was during the time in Arizona where Merriman put his plan in motion to be the first to lend a hand and help build the first house in 56 days, not coincidently his jersey number.

“Having the first house done was very important to me,” said Merriman who co-founded the construction company six months prior to the fires. “I wanted to show how important it was by being the first one to do it. We didn’t make a profit from this house. It wasn’t about money. It was something I wanted to show we are capable of doing and what we are about.”

Construction began the day after the Chargers defeated the Texans, and Merriman never had any doubt the job would get done

“Once I saw the concrete laid and the foundation built in a matter of days, I had no doubt in my mind that we would get it done in the time the family wanted it done,” Merriman said.

It’s not easy to shock Merriman, one of the most dominating players in the NFL, but as he toured the rebuilt home with the Mellows, he did so in silence.

“I was still in shock,” Merriman explained. “I saw it from day one before the concrete was poured. I saw it when the burnt trophies and burnt pictures were still in the house. From walking in from the beginning when the rebuilding is going on to seeing the finished product, I was in awe.”

For the Mellow’s, they are finally home and can rebuild their lives in part to Merriman’s determination to help out others in his community.