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While Shawne Merriman is best remembered for his “Lights Out” defensive play on the gridiron, the former NFL All-Pro linebacker made a big impact off the field with his trade, nicknamed Lights Out Xtreme Fighting.
Merriman, who retired from the NFL in March 2013, dabbled in other ventures that included WWE and NASCAR before later launching the Lights Out brand in ’19.
But Merriman quickly learned that navigating the business world was very different from executing the defensive game. In an interview Bag podcast Along with Rashad Jennings and Lindsey McCormick, the three-time Pro Bowler opened up about the parallels and “huge differences” between running his own business in the NFL.
“Everybody wants to be a coach until they have 10- to 12-hour days,” Merriman said. “… Sometimes now, you don’t see the behind the scenes, the time and the effort. Being a decision maker is more pressure.
“If you’re working somewhere and it’s not on you, it’s like okay. I’m screwed, I’m on to the next thing. over here [Merriman’s business], a breakdown can mean a partnership… having something wrong with the arrangement. There are a lot of grips on this ship that I’m enjoying.
As Merriman continues to explore his post-football career in business, the former Chargers and Bills linebacker said he began thinking about life after football in 2008 when he had reconstructive knee surgery to repair torn ligaments in his knee. , his desire to constantly learn and grow has gone to a new level.
“My mind changed,” Merriman said. “I started learning about branding, marketing… as athletes we all walk around like nothing can happen to us. … I realized I’m not made of steel.
“I would try to say to a lot of guys, especially those coming towards the end of their careers, whatever you want to do, start appreciating it now.”
While participating in media opportunities and other work before LXF, Merriman said there are still days in his life when he wonders what his daily routine will be. “I had some costumes I was making and I was still like, ‘Damn, is this it?’ It wasn’t like that.”
Part of building Merriman’s brand allowed him to develop a relationship with UFC President Dana White. Merriman shared that he was able to pick White’s mind about the UFC as a sport as well as MMA.
Although LXF hasn’t promoted a fight since December, Merriman’s goal is to give men more “opportunities to fight and build a better life for themselves,” as well as get White to see the value in the brand.
“I want him and the UFC to recognize the talent we have and pull some of those guys,” Merriman said. If he’s going to the UFC to get more eyeballs and build their brand to make more money, I’ll do that. There is no competition. There is always respect and greater appreciation for what he has built.
“I’m coming at it from a completely different perspective and platform than I had with the NFL and being able to build on that.”
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