Shawn King facts for kids

Shawn King (born June 24, 1972) is a former American football player. He played as a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts. Shawn King was known for facing several suspensions during his career. He was a top player in 1994, earning a First Team All IFA selection.

Shawn King's NFL Journey

Shawn King began his professional football career in 1995. The Carolina Panthers picked him in the second round of the NFL draft. During his first training camp, he faced a league program. This was due to not following NFL rules.

Early Seasons with the Panthers

In his first year, 1995, King played in 13 games. The next season, he played in all 16 games. However, he faced another suspension in 1997. This meant he missed the first six games of that season. He only played in 9 games that year.

Missing a Season and Moving Teams

After another rule violation, King was suspended for the entire 1998 season. Before the 1999 season, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts. This was a three-year contract. He started 8 of the first 9 games for the Colts.

Challenges and Retirement

King faced another suspension in 1999. He and a teammate missed a team meeting. This led to a four-game suspension. The Colts later released him from the team. He was then suspended by the league for 12 months. This meant he missed the entire 2000 season.

Shawn King was allowed to return to the NFL in January 2001. However, he decided to retire. He mentioned the league's rules as a reason for his decision.

Playing in the Arena Football League

After four years away from professional football, King returned in 2004. He joined the AFL. He played for the Tampa Bay Storm. After that season, he left professional football for good.

Shawn King's Suspensions

Shawn King played in the NFL for six seasons. These were from 1995 to 2000. However, he missed 42 games because of suspensions. This included missing all of the 1998 and 2000 seasons. He retired in January 2001. This was shortly after the league allowed him to return. His decision was related to the league's rules.

• 1995 - Placed in an NFL program for not following league rules.
• 1997 - Suspended for six games during the 1997 season for not following league rules.
• 1998 - Suspended for the entire 1998 season for not following league rules.
• 1999 - Suspended for four games during the 1999 season. This was after missing a team check and being late to a meeting.
• 2000 - Suspended for the entire 2000 season for not following league rules.