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Former NFL Linebacker Shawne Merriman Is Coming to ‘The Bachelor’, But Is He Single?

Things on The Bachelor are taking a sporty turn when the gals tackle a new challenge to win the heart of Zach Shallcross. Ahead of Super Bowl LVII, ABC is inviting the ladies to play the field with a little help from some former pros. Antonio Gates and Shawne Merriman, who both played for the then San Diego Chargers, are coaching a game of football while Zach plays the part of a cheerleader.

It’s possible Zach won’t be the only eligible bachelor kicking things off during that episode. While Antonio has been married to his wife Sasha Dindayal since 2011, we’re a little unclear as to where Shawne is when it comes to love. Is he huddling with a special lady or flying solo? Let’s find out if Shawne Merriman has a girlfriend, and if he doesn’t have one, there will certainly be some players in the mix.

If Shawne is currently attached, he’s doing a pretty good job of keeping it to himself. His Instagram is primarily dedicated to Lights Out Xtreme Fighting (LXF), the MMA league he founded in 2019. He also works with or for Family First Life Insurance, but his specific role there is unclear. On Dec. 9, 2022, he posted on Instagram about the perks of working for them, in an effort to tempt people to do the same.

The last rather public relationship Shawne was in ended in 2009 with Myspace influencer-turned-reality-television-star-turned-antisemite Tila Tequila. They called it quits in 2009 after she accused him of allegedly “choking and restraining” her, per The New York Times. On Sunday Sept. 6, 2009, at around 3:45 a.m., police were called to Shawne’s home by Tila who claimed that not only was she choked by him, but he threw her to the “ground when she tried to leave.”

According to Shawne, Tila was intoxicated and he was trying to stop her from driving. Charges were later dropped, but that wasn’t the end of Shawne’s legal troubles.

Shawne Merriman has certainly found himself in precarious positions.

The NY Daily News reported that in November 2009, Tila filed a lawsuit against Shawne claiming he “grabbed her, shook her, knocked her down and choked her during an argument in September.” A month later, Shawne counter-sued Tila for intentionally interfering with “contract and unfair competition as well as trademark infringement” when she used his company’s Lights Out logo on her website, per TMZ. Shawne also stated her accusations caused him financial damage. By February 2010, both were dismissed.

A decade later in July 2019, Shawne was being sued by the family of Kimberly Fattorini who died in 2017, per CBS News. The lawsuit alleged that Shawne drugged and possibly assaulted their daughter. Her cause of death was listed as drug overdose with traces of the date rape drug gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in her system, per The Daily Beast.

Shawne was implicated because one of Kimberly’s last texts was to club promoter Elias Wehb who was also at the after-party where this apparently occurred. She reportedly told Elias that Shawne “just poor’d half G in my drink.” After that her texts were said to be mostly incomprehensible. She died later that night and was found with her bra twisted, and pants unzipped. Shawne filed for bankruptcy before this lawsuit was brought against him. As of the time of this writing we do not know the status of the suit.
Former NFL Linebacker Shawne Merriman Is Stopping by “The Bachelor,” but Is He a Bachelor?

It’s been around for years and there have been many twists and turns along the way, but one thing is for certain: The Bachelor is a fan-favorite reality TV show. And, this season, former NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman will make a special appearance.

But who is Shawne Merriman, and is he single? We’ve got you covered right here.

Who Is Shawne Merriman?

Shawne Merriman is a retired American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 2005 and spent most of his career with them before signing with the Buffalo Bills in 2014. Merriman retired following the 2014 season, after an illustrious career that included three Pro Bowl selections.

Is Shawne Merriman Single?

Yes, as far as we can tell, Shawne Merriman is single — at least for now. There have been some reports that the former NFL star was briefly engaged back in 2017, but that relationship ultimately ended.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Shawne Merriman

• Will Shawne Merriman be on The Bachelor?

  Yes, Shawne Merriman will be appearing on The Bachelor this season. He’s set to make a special appearance as part of a team building exercise.

• What team did Shawne Merriman play for?

  Shawne Merriman played for the San Diego Chargers for most of his career, before signing with the Buffalo Bills in 2014.

• When did Shawne Merriman retire?

  Shawne Merriman retired from the NFL in 2014.

• Is Shawne Merriman single?

  Yes, as far as we can tell, Shawne Merriman is single.

Summary

Retired NFL linebacker Shawne Merriman is set to make a special appearance on this season’s installment of The Bachelor. The former San Diego Chargers star is currently single, and rumors suggest that he was briefly engaged in 2017. Although Merriman is known for his life as a linebacker, fans of The Bachelor will now get to know him in a different context.