“Rookies, bills, and touchdowns!”, Shawne Merriman’s illustrious journey from the football field to the MMA ring is not only about athletic prowess but also encompasses moments of surprise, astonishment, and remarkable transition. Known as “Lights Out” in NFL circles, Merriman painted a vivid picture of power, skill, and dominance on the field.

Recently, Merriman spilled some spicy, unheard tales from his NFL days on the NFL Players: Second Act Podcast, opening a treasure trove of nostalgia and insights. Let’s uncover these stories and explore what the former NFL linebacker has added to his riveting chapters in the world of sports.

The expensive rookie dinner

On the Engaging NFL Players: Second Acts podcast, hosts Charles “Peanut” Tillman and Roman Harper engage in intriguing conversations with NFL stalwarts. The platform explores the transitions these legends make from their adrenaline-filled gridiron days to new realms of passion. In a recent episode that’s now gone viral on YouTube, they had an enlightening chat with the former footballer, Shawne Merriman.

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Merriman, reflecting on a memorable gridiron welcome moment, quipped, “I just remembered all the highlights that were on TV… I had one or two sacks before this.” Adding a playful twist, he revealed the bombshell: “I mean big… and then not my $32,000 bill that they stuck me with at a rookie dinner.” The commentators, just like us, were in a state of delightful shock.

They explained how first-round picks, or other new players, have to take senior players on a night out, based on their preferences. For his rookie dinner, Merriman took his teammates to a restaurant by the racetrack. He recalled having the time of his life, and then getting the biggest shock ever when he realized how big the bill had gotten. But a long NFL career was not in the cards for him, as he soon turned to a whole new sport, making that his new path.

From tackles to takedowns: Merriman’s new playfield

After dazzling fans with his football prowess, Shawne Merriman is now spearheading the Lights Out Xtreme Fighting promotion. Intent on being the bridge for athletes from other sports disciplines to transition into MMA, Merriman’s vision is clear: offer a platform for both budding MMA fighters and established athletes from other realms, like football or basketball.

Hosted in Long Beach, Calif., the latest event under his banner streams on Fubo Sports, inviting viewers to be a part of this innovative venture. Merriman’s intent isn’t just to remain on the sidelines. Though he’s teased the idea of stepping into the MMA ring himself, he believes he can make a bigger impact outside, using his NFL experiences to shine the light brighter on new fighters.

Merriman’s journey from facing $32,000 dinner bills as an NFL rookie to establishing a platform for sports personalities to venture into MMA is awe-inspiring.

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