Tim Shaw
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Career Summary
Tim Shaw is a former NFL linebacker and special-teams contributor who played six seasons from 2007 through 2012.
Shaw appeared in 80 regular-season games for Carolina, Jacksonville, Chicago and Tennessee. After his playing career, he publicly shared his ALS diagnosis and has helped raise awareness for the disease.
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Early Life
Shaw was born in Exeter, England, and moved to Michigan as a young child.
The Titans’ media guide says Shaw lived in Exeter until age two before moving to Michigan. He grew up in Livonia and later returned there for youth football camps.
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High School
Shaw attended Clarenceville High School in Michigan and was a prolific scorer.
The Titans’ media guide credits him with Michigan state records of 134 career touchdowns, 51 scores as a senior and 7,800 career yards. He also lettered in basketball and track and won a state title in the 100 meters as a junior.
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College Career
At Penn State, Shaw played several roles before finishing as a defensive end.
In 46 games with 32 starts, he played running back, middle linebacker, outside linebacker and defensive end. The Titans’ biography lists 177 tackles, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles, an interception and 12 passes defended, and says he earned first-team Academic All-America honors as a senior.
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Path to the NFL
Carolina selected Shaw in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
The Panthers selected him 164th overall. He later joined Jacksonville, Chicago and Tennessee through subsequent transactions, with Tennessee claiming him off waivers before the 2010 season.
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NFL Career
Shaw played 80 regular-season games in six NFL seasons and became a notable special-teams performer.
NFL statistics list 14 games with Carolina in 2007, three with Jacksonville in 2008, 15 with Chicago in 2009, and 16 in each of his three Tennessee seasons. The Titans credited him with leading the team in special-teams tackles in 2010 and serving as the 2011 special-teams captain.
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Career Accomplishments
Shaw earned recognition for special-teams work in Chicago and Tennessee.
The Titans’ media guide says his 30 special-teams stops in 2009 set a Bears franchise record, while his 20 press-box special-teams stops led the NFL. He was named to USA Today’s All-Joe team after that season and led Tennessee with 20 special-teams tackles in 2010.
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Playing Style
Shaw’s professional role centered on special teams, with added versatility across linebacker alignments.
The Titans described him as a special-teams ace and used him for a first NFL start in a four-linebacker set in 2010. His Penn State career also included significant work at four offensive and defensive positions.
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Legacy
Shaw’s football legacy includes a six-year NFL career and public advocacy after his ALS diagnosis.
Tennessee named him a Titan for Life in 2016. The club says he has continued to visit the team and raise money and awareness for people living with ALS.
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Post-Career
After retiring from football, Shaw became an ALS-awareness advocate.
Shaw publicly disclosed his ALS diagnosis in 2014. Titans coverage says he has helped raise money and awareness for people affected by ALS and has remained connected with the organization.
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21711, 00-0025551, 1984-03-27, Tim Shaw, Tim, Shaw
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