2012 SD Chargers Media Guide_PROOF.P - Seahawks Online ...

95 SHAUN PHILLIPSOutside Linebacker Draft 4 - ’046-3, 250 Purdue9th NFL SeasonWillingboro HS9th with ChargersWillingboro, N.J.Shaun Phillips, one of the most energetic and excitingplayers in the NFL, endured one of his toughest seasons asa pro in 2011. Phillips was expecting big things coming offhis first Pro Bowl season in 2010, but a foot injury plaguedhim for most of the early part of the ’11 season and eventuallyforced him to the sidelines for four games, his firstmissed starts since 2007.Phillips comes into 2012 fourth on the team’s all-timesacks list with 60. He is within range of Lee Williams (thirdwith 65.5) and the late Gary Johnson (second with 67), andconsidering that Phillips has had at least seven sacks in sixof his eight NFL seasons, he has a great opportunity topass both this season.Phillips earned his first-career Pro Bowl invite in 2010after helping the Chargers lead the NFL in total defense.The team’s Defensive Player of the Year, Phillips paced thesquad with 11 sacks to rank 10th in the NFL. He also ledthe Bolts with 16 tackles for loss and 19 quarterback pressures,while tying for the team lead with 15 quarterbackhits. In May 2011, the NFL Network ranked him 97th on itslist of the NFL’s Top 100 Players.Phillips is one of the NFL’s most-recognizedcelebrities. He’s appeared at numerousred-carpet events and is followed onTwitter by more than 437,000 fans. Foryears, Phillips served as one of the top fundraisers andspokespersons for the After-School All-Stars, a nonprofitorganization that designs after-school programs for innercityyouth. More recently, he’s joined forces with Popchipsand the global charity, Free Wheelchair Mission, a faithbasedfoundation that helps to provide wheelchairs for childrenin third-world countries.In recognition of his community work, Phillips was invitedto deliver the keynote address during graduation ceremoniesat his alma mater, Willingboro (N.J.) High School in 2011.Phillips holds a degree in management from Purdue andis the first member of his family to graduate from college.He’s a managing partner of the Katsuya restaurant thatopened in San Diego’s Andaz Hotel in March 2012. Phillipssharpened his business skills by participating in a WallStreet internship at the New York Stock Exchange in 2010and in the NFL’s Business Management and EntrepreneurialProgram at the Kellogg School of Management atNorthwestern University in 2006.Phillips has three sons, Jaylen and twins Camron andMarcus. He enjoys spending time with the kids and with hismom, Sherri. Phillips’ hobbies include cooking, reading,fashion bowling, playing basketball, watching movies andtraveling around the world.VETERANS &RETURNING PLAYERSTRANSACTION HISTORY: Fourth-round pick (98), April 25,2004…signed July 22...signed six-year contract, Feb. 20, 2007.2011: On first defensive play of season vs. Minnesota, tippedDonovan McNabb pass at line and intercepted it at Vikings’six to set up touchdown...quarterback pressures led to interceptionsOct. 2 vs. Miami and Oct. 9 at Denver...season-hightwo sacks and team-leading three quarterback hits Oct. 23 atNew York Jets...inactive Weeks 8-11 (foot)...Dec. 18 vs. Baltimore,interception and later half-sack to reach 60 for careerbecoming 94th player (since 1982) to reach 60. 2010: ProBowl...Chargers’ Defensive Player ofYear...passed Junior Seau (47.0) for fifthon team’s all-time sacks list Sept. 26 atSeattle...AFC Defensive Player of Weekafter career-high four sacks Oct. 3 vs.Arizona...tied Leslie O’Neal for secondmostin team history...had two sacks and interception beforehalftime...third-down sack in second quarter forced punt andled to touchdown and 21-7 lead...on next series, had threeyardsack followed by interception return for touchdown onnext play for 28-7 advantage...two sacks Nov. 22 vs. Denverto pass “Mean” Fred Dean (53.5) for fourth on team’s all-timesacks list...team-high three tackles for loss in Nov. 28 win atIndianapolis. 2009: Chargers co-Defensive Player of Year...NFL-leading seven forced fumbles...led team with sevensacks and tied for team high with 16 quarterback hits...shoved Dolphin player out of bounds for touchback insteadof touchdown after first-quarter fumble Sept. 27 vs. Miami...Oct. 25 at Kansas City, sack on first play of fourth quarter,and two plays later hit on Matt Cassel leads to interception...secondsack on Chiefs’ next series...Game Ball aftermatching season-high two sacks Nov. 1 vs. Oakland...13-yardsack with Chargers up 24-16 late fourth quarter helps clinchwin...NFL-leading seventh forced fumble Dec. 25 at Tennessee.2008: Chargers Alumni Defensive Player of Month(December)…2.5 sacks and forced fumble Dec. 4 vs. Oakland…tippedsecond-quarter pass intercepted in end zone byStephen Cooper in 22-21 win at Kansas City Dec. 14. 2007:USA Today All-Joe…crushing sack of Bears quarterback RexGrossman on first defensive play of season…left HoustonA big fan of the History Channel’s “Pawn Stars” show, Phillips visited the Goldand Silver Pawn shop in February and posed for a couple pictures with starsthe Old Man (left) and Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison. Photo: VegasNews.comContinued next pageMEDIA GUIDE | 93