Sean Lee

Sean Patrick Lee (born July 22, 1986) is an American former professional football linebacker.

Heading into 2008, Lee was a starting outside linebacker for coach Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions for two consecutive seasons.

In April 2008, Lee tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a non-contact drill at spring practice.

Despite being forced to take a medical redshirt for the 2008 season, Lee's teammates elected him a team captain that season.

While rehabbing, he opted to serve as an undergraduate assistant coach, participating in every practice and wearing a headset on the sidelines during games that season.

Lee's teammates again elected him team captain prior to the 2009 season.

He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, and was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

The Dallas Cowboys selected Lee in the second round (55th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.

The Cowboys traded their second round (59th overall) and their fourth round picks (125th overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft to the Philadelphia Eagles in order to move up from to 55th overall in the second round to select Lee.

It was speculated that his considerable fall from the first round was due to his history of injuries, that included a torn ACL on the right knee and partially torn ACL on the left knee during his last two seasons at Penn State, and throughout his career, injuries had indeed prevented Lee from playing a full season's slate of NFL games.

Lee was the fourth linebacker selected in the draft.

On June 23, 2010, the Cowboys signed Lee to a four-year, $3.49 million contract that included $1.71 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.20 million.

He was bothered by nagging injuries in training camp; consequently, he failed to see a lot of action on the field.

Lee earned NFL Defensive Player of the Week and Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week honors for his Week 14 performance versus Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, in which he recorded the first two interceptions of his NFL career, including one he returned for a touchdown and one in overtime to set up the game-winning field goal.

Promoted to starting inside linebacker in 2011, Lee thrived immediately in new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's scheme.

In the opening game versus the New York Jets, Lee intercepted Mark Sanchez to record the third interception of his career.

His key interception of Rex Grossman and fumble recovery in the final minute of the Cowboys' Monday Night Football game versus the Washington Redskins were crucial in the 18-16 comeback.

By Week 3, Lee had a team-leading 36 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, a tackle for a loss, and three pass breakups, earning him NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors.

He was the first Cowboys player in franchise history to win the award.

In the 7th game of the 2011 season against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Field, Lee suffered a dislocated left wrist in the first quarter when he hit his hand against Michael Vick's helmet, but opted against having season ending surgery.

After 7 games, Lee led the team in total tackles with 51, 15 more tackles than the next leading tackler, Gerald Sensabaugh with 36 total tackles.

He also ranked first on the team with 3 interceptions, the only player on the team through the first seven games with more than one interception.

In the eighth game of the season, Lee was inactive due to the wrist injury which he sustained the previous week.

Lee ended up having a breakout season, becoming one of the defensive leaders, leading the team with 131 tackles and tying for the team lead in interceptions (four) and tackles for loss (eight).

He also became only the second linebacker ever to have intercepted both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

He had an excellent game against the New York Giants with 10 tackles, 2 assists and a forced fumble on David Wilson.

He also registered 14 tackles against the Seattle Seahawks in the second game of the season, tying him with Lee Roy Jordan for the 41-year-old team record for most tackles in a game.

Against the Carolina Panthers, Lee injured his right big toe and was placed on injured reserve.

In his junior year he was 2nd team all Big Ten, finishing second on the team in tackles with 138.

He had a season high 17 tackles versus Illinois, and registered more than 10 tackles in all but three games.

He also had two interceptions and three forced fumbles on the season.

On August 24, 2013, the Dallas Cowboys signed Lee to a six-year, $42 million contract extension that included $16.13 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $10 million.

During Week 4 against the San Diego Chargers, Lee had 18 tackles and returned an interception 52 yards for his second NFL touchdown.

He made two Pro Bowls and the 2016 All-Pro Team.

He is the son of Craig Lee and Geralyn Lee of Upper St. Clair Township, Pennsylvania.

Lee's older brother Conor was the placekicker for the University of Pittsburgh and his sister Alexandra was a student athlete at Upper St. Clair High School.

Sean is also a grandson of Federal Judge Donald J. Lee of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Lee was a multi-sport star at Upper St. Clair High School outside Pittsburgh, he was a three-year starter at point guard in basketball, averaging 21.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists as a senior, and winning a district title.

In football, Lee rushed for 1,240 yards and 21 touchdowns while registering 95 tackles and four interceptions as a safety for an 11-1 squad his senior year.

After graduating from Upper St. Clair High School in Upper St. Clair Township, Pennsylvania, Lee went on to play college football at Penn State.