Patriots: Shawne Merriman bought his son a Tom Brady jersey
Former Charger Shawne Merriman recently swallowed his pride and bought his son a Tom Brady Patriots jersey – as much as it must have killed him inside.
Shawne Merriman is apparently as “Lights Out” of a father today as he was back when he was terrorizing offenses during his days as a Pro Bowl linebacker in the NFL.
On Father’s Day, no less, Merriman shared a photo on Twitter in which he was spotted at the New England Patriots‘ official pro shop at Gillette Stadium with his son. According to Merriman himself, he was there to purchase a Tom Brady jersey for his son – despite the fact that Brady regularly and ruthlessly put an end to Merriman’s seasons as a San Diego Charger back in the mid-2000s.
https://twitter.com/shawnemerriman/status/1140308598590885888
Twice the Patriots defeated the Chargers in the playoffs back in those days: first in the divisional round in 2006, then in the AFC Championship in 2007. Of some solace is the fact that Merriman’s Chargers went 2-2 against Brady’s Patriots during their regular season clashes, at least.
The playoff defeat to the Patriots in 2006 must have particularly stung for Merriman for several reasons. One, the Chargers were at home that season. Two, the Chargers just barely lost the game by a deficit of three points. Three – and most importantly – a number of Patriots players were seen celebrating their win by mimicking Merriman’s famous “Lights Out” sacks dance afterward – a move that Merriman’s teammate LaDainian Tomlinson called “classless” and “disrepectful.”
Tom Brady led all NFL players in royalties money last year. dark. Next
Despite all that bad blood, though, it’s commendable that Merriman was able to set aside his hatred of the Patriots and take his son to the shop to buy a Brady jersey. He noted in his Twitter caption that “real Fathers” will “do things for their kid even if it kills you.”
Merriman may just be in the running for Father of the Year after this… at least in NFL circles.