Phillips accepted a scholarship offer to attend Purdue University following high school, choosing Purdue in part due to his desire to catch passes from quarterback Drew Brees as a tight end.[5]
After being forced to sit out his freshman season due to low standardized test scores, Phillips was immediately assigned to the defensive side of the ball, and started as a freshman at defensive end.[citation needed] He earned All-Big Ten honorable mention in each of his first three seasons.[6][bettersourceneeded]
As a senior, Phillips totaled 14.5 sacks, pushing his career total to 33.5, a school record,[7] highlighted by a 3.5 sack performance in Purdue's 26–23 win at Wisconsin Badgers. He was named a second-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten performer. Phillips started 49 consecutive games as a Boilermaker.[8]
Phillips was often used on offense as a tight end in goal line situations, and caught two touchdown passes during his career. He completed his collegiate career at Purdue University as the school's all-time leader with 33.5 career sacks while ranking third in team annals with 60.5 tackles for a loss.[9]
Phillips graduated from Purdue University in May 2003 with a degree in restaurant, hotel and institutional management.[citation needed]
Phillips was selected by the Chargers 98th overall in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft and was the third Purdue player selected after Nick Hardwick and Stuart Schweigert, who both went in the third round.[11][12]
In his rookie season, Philips was used as a backup pass rush specialist. He earned his first NFL sack in his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Houston Texans.[13] He played in all 16 games and was tied for second on the team with four sacks.[14][15]
In the 2005 season, in the same role, Philips had seven sacks and three forced fumbles while playing alongside rookie sensation Shawne Merriman. He appeared in 15 games and started three.[16][17]
On April 14, 2006, Shaun Phillips was arrested after he scuffled with a patrol officer. Phillips, then 24, was booked into San Diego County jail on a charge of obstructing or resisting an officer in the performance of his duty. Phillips was freed after posting $10,000 bail, according to the Sheriff's Department.[18]
Prior to the 2006 season, Phillips had mostly been used as a pass rush specialist rather than an every-down linebacker. With the September 2006 shooting of teammate Steve Foley,[19] Phillips moved into the starting right outside linebacker spot previously occupied by Foley. He made an instant impact and finished his first season as a starter tied for ninth in sacks in the NFL despite missing two games with a mid-season calf injury.[20] He and Shawne Merriman produced 28 sacks as they formed one of the best pass rush in the NFL. Philips finished with 65 tackles, 11.5 sacks, six pass breakups and four forced fumbles despite missing two games with an ankle injury.[21][22]
Following the 2006 season, the Chargers signed Shaun Phillips to a six-year extension through 2012. The deal guaranteed him $13 million over the first two years. He was originally scheduled for restricted free agency.[23]
In his fourth season, he emerged as a leader on the defense.[24] In Week 15, against the Detroit Lions, he had a 18-yard interception return for a touchdown in the 51–14 victory.[25] He started in 15 games and tacked on 68 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and two interceptions in the 2007 season.[26]
In Week 14 of the 2008 season against the Oakland Raiders, Phillips had 2.5 sacks in the 34–7 victory.[27] In the 2008 season, he appeared in 16 games with 16 starts. He recorded 76 total tackles, 7.5 sacks and four passes defended.[28]
In 2009, Philips led the NFL with a career-best seven forced fumbles in 2009 while leading San Diego to its fourth consecutive AFC West title.[29][30][31] Before the season, Phillips was cited for misdemeanor battery for allegedly striking a security guard in the face at a downtown hotel early Sunday morning. It was Phillips' second run-in with the law in three seasons.[32]
In the 2010 season, the pass rusher played in all 16 games and finished with 55 tackles and a team-high 11 sacks.[33][34] He registered an interception that he returned 31 yards for a touchdown in Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals.[35] He was named to his first Pro Bowl.[36] He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after producing a career-high four sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown vs. Arizona[37] He was ranked 97th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011.[38]
Coming off a Pro Bowl year, Phillips was hurt and slowed by a lingering foot injury. He had 3.5 sacks, a career low, and two interceptions in 12 games and starts in the 2011 season.[39]
In the 2012 season, Phillips appeared in and started all 16 games. In Week 9 against the Kansas City Chiefs, he had a defensive fumble recovery for a touchdown in the 31–13 victory.[40] In Week 11, against the Tennessee Titans, he recorded a safety on a sack of Peyton Manning in the 30–23 loss.[41] He had 9.5 sacks, 50 total tackles, three passes defended, and two forced fumbles.[42]
Denver Broncos
On April 27, 2013, Phillips signed with the Denver Broncos.[43] On June 24, 2013, Phillips says he accepted less money to play for the Broncos. "That's why I came here, to be in this situation, to be with a team that is right there in the mix," Phillips said.[44]
In his debut as a Bronco, Phillips had 2.5 sacks on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.[45] In Week 8, Phillips intercepted Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins, to seal the game for the Broncos.[46] On the season, he played in all 16 games, starting 12 (including the final 9 straight), finishing the season with 35 tackles (28 solo), 10 sacks, a pair of forced fumbles, an interception, and five blocked passes.[47]
Phillips signed with the Tennessee Titans on March 28, 2014.[50] On November 25, 2014, Phillips was released by the Titans.[51]
Indianapolis Colts
Phillips was signed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts on November 26, 2014.[52] With both the Titans and the Colts, Phillips played in all 16 games and started one. He finished with two sacks, 24 total tackles, and two passes defended.[53] He was released on February 16, 2015.[54]
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