Players

In five professional seasons, including three as a starter, Shaun Phillips has established himself as one of the NFL’s elite pass rushers. He led the team in sacks in 2008 with 7.5 and moved into 10th place on the franchise’s all-time sacks list. He also led the squad with 15 tackles for loss. Phillips’ athleticism and explosive first step make it difficult for opposing linemen to get their hands on the 6-3, 262-pound linebacker.

  Phillips prides himself on being a complete player and his personal highlight reel would attest to that. His long arms and quick reaction time make it difficult for opposing quarterbacks to throw by him. Three of his four tipped passes in ’08 were intercepted by fellow defensive mates and in 2007, Phillips recorded the first two interceptions of his career after tipping both passes to himself.

  During his first two years in the NFL, Phillips thrived on special teams and had an impact as a situational pass rusher. He moved into the starting lineup in 2006 and racked up a career-high 11.5 sacks, earning himself a nod as a second-alternate to the AFC Pro Bowl squad. The Chargers rewarded him for his outstanding play with a new six-year contract in February 2007.

  Phillips and teammate Shawne Merriman have proven to be a potent combination. In 2006, they became the first pair of Chargers to record at least 11 sacks in the same season since Leslie O’Neal and Chris Mims did it in 1994. The Chargers and Baltimore Ravens were the only teams in the league to feature two players that recorded at least 11 sacks that season. Phillips and Merriman led the Chargers to 61 sacks in 2006, one shy of the team record. Among all NFL linebackers, Merriman and Phillips ranked 1-2 in sacks.

  Phillips has used his penchant for getting to the quarterback to benefit the After-School All-Stars, a nonprofit that designs after-school programs for inner city youth to give them a safe place to study and play. Phillips makes a $1,000 donation to the After-School All-Stars for every sack that he records, and in the last year raised an additional $10,000 as the host of celebrity dodgeball and golf tournaments. It’s easy to tell when Phillips has recorded a sack because he follows each one with a unique celebration that shows him rolling an imaginary bowling ball toward a set of pins. The move is a tribute to his grandmother, Jackie, a former professional bowler.

  In the past, Phillips has also lent his support to the San Pasqual Academy in San Diego, and he is the co-host of a football camp in his hometown of Willingboro, New Jersey.

  Outside of football, Shaun enjoys spending time with his son, Jaylen, and mom, Sherri. He also likes to bowl, play basketball, watch movies and travel. His favorite cities to visit are New York, Miami and Las Vegas. Phillips has also dabbled in acting, making guest appearances on ABC’s “The Bachelor,” the CW Network’s “The Game,” and E! Entertainment’s “The Girls Next Door.”

  Phillips holds a degree in management from Purdue and is the first member of his family to graduate from college. In 2006, he enrolled in the NFL’s Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

  TRANSACTION HISTORY: Fourth-round draft pick (98), April 25, 2004…signed July 22, 2004...signed six-year contract, Feb. 20, 2007.

  2009: Had his best game of the season so far in week 7 against the Chiefs. Ended the game with two sacks and a tackle with a loss in the contest. Recorded two sacks and a forced fumble on quarterback JaMarcus Russell during week 8. Marked the first time in his career that Phillips recorded two sacks in two consecutive games.

   2008: Chargers Alumni Defensive POM for December…career-high 2.5 sacks and FF Wk 13 vs. Oakland on NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football…in 22-21 win Dec. 14 at KC, tipped 2Q pass that was INT in end zone by Stephen Cooper.

  2007: USA Today All-Joe…crushing sack for six-yard loss on Bears QB Rex Grossman on first defensive play of season…injured groin Oct. 28 vs. Houston and left game…tipped 1Q pass to self and pulled down INT, setting up FG in 23-21 win over Indy Nov. 11…scored first NFL TD on 18-yard INT return Dec. 16 vs. Detroit...broke up pass and tipped to self for INT and 27-0 lead…on first play of 4Q in AFC Wild Card Playoffs vs. Tennessee, tackled LenDale White for three-yard loss after Titans had driven to Chargers’ 17…after two incomplete passes, 38-yard FG barely missed WL…after miss, Bolts drove for game-clinching TD and 17-6 lead…late 4Q, PBU on 3rd-and-goal from seven during potential game-winning TD drive in AFC Divisional Playoffs at Indy.

 2006: Pro Bowl second-alternate…USA Today All-Joe…left KC game Oct. 22 with calf injury in 2Q and did not return…INA Weeks 7-8…came back for Nov. 12 win at Cincinnati (49-41), sacking Carson Palmer and recording FF and FR early in 4Q on first play after Chargers had scored to get within 38-35…on very play, Bolts scored TD to take first lead (42-38) and erase 21-point deficit… game-clinching sack in 35-27 win at Denver Nov. 19 …sacked Jake Plummer for 14-yard loss and recorded FF with 24 seconds left in game…Broncos recovered, but as they scrambled to line, time ran out…Chargers Alumni POW after Dec. 31 season finale vs. Arizona… sack and FF vs. Tom Brady in 3Q of AFC Divisional Playoffs vs. NE.

 2005: INA Wk 3 (calf)…started for injured Steve Foley Oct. 30 vs. KC…Chargers Alumni POW after two sacks and TFL at NY Jets in 31-26 win Nov. 6…season-high three STTs at Indianapolis Dec. 18 and at KC Dec. 24.

 2004: INT pass after tipping ball at line and making fingertip catch late in 2Q vs. Denver Dec. 5… shared nine-yard sack in 2Q of Wild Card Playoffs vs. NY Jets.

 COLLEGE: Second-team All-America as senior, as well as Big Ten Defensive POY by College Football News and unanimous first-team all-conference…honorable mention All-Big Ten first three seasons…Purdue’s all-time leader with 33.5 sacks and third with 60.5 TFLs...231 TTs and added nine FFs…Big Ten leader with 14.5 sacks and 23 TFLs in ’03…Big Ten POW two straight weeks in ’03…Most Valuable Lineman in ’02 Sun Bowl win over Washington…Newcomer Award in ’00…redshirted in 1999…played at Purdue from 1999-03…restaurant, hotel and institutional management degree.

 PERSONAL: Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania…all-state, All-South Jersey and all-city at Willingboro (NJ) High School…selected to play in Governor’s Bowl New Jersey-New York All-Star game…lettered in basketball and track.