ouTTakes podcast: “Lights Out” Shawne Merriman

Welcome back to ouTTakes, a podcast that’s here to discuss Maryland sports from an inside perspective. We’ll be doing the show more regularly this year to shine a different light on Terps sport figures and allow you to get to know them as people.

This time, Cody Wilcox and I sat down with three-time NFL Pro Bowler “Lights Out” Shawne Merriman. The Maryland football great played under former coach Ralph Friedgen from 2002-05 before being drafted 12th overall by the San Diego Chargers.

The Maryland football great talks about how he got the “Lights Out” nickname, what it was like playing for coach Ralph Friedgen, his NFL experience and outlook for the league this season, talks about his new business ventures and much more. Listen for some inside stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

Some highlights from this show:

• Merriman talks about his favorite rivalries while playing for Maryland and what it was like playing for coach Friedgen.
• How did he get the “Lights Out” nickname?
• The 2005 Defensive Rookie of the Year talks about being part of the start of Under Armour.
• Merriman gives his take on this year’s Terp team and his reaction to the Mike Locksley coaching hire.
• What drama went down with a certain package sent to Jason Taylor?
• Will Darnell Savage be the next Maryland player to earn DROY honors?
• Merriman talks his business ventures post retirement, including the new Lights Out Xtreme Fighting League and his new clothing/football crossover.

You can find every episode of the Testudo Times ouTTakes Podcast on iTunes here, Spotify here and MegaPhone here. If you’re into these things, rating and subscribing will help the podcast grow, and that’s always a good thing