For a period of time, Merriman was one of the most feared and revered linebackers in the game. He took the "lights out" mentality to every play, and when his game was on, few could stop him. 

Believe it or not, one person who was able to put a halt to his career was a small little reality TV star, Tila Tequila, who accused him of choking her. This put his career in an eventual tailspin, and he has not recovered.

Merriman’s spot in the headlines of news stories was nothing new. In 2006, he tested positive for a banned substance and was suspended for four games, not to mention all of the controversy surrounding his celebration style.