Sean Lee life and biography

Sean Lee is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Penn State.

OVERVIEW:
One of the most versatile Nittany Lions, Lee has experience at all three linebacker positions, but his leadership is also another great asset.

From teaming with Paul Posluszny and Tim Shaw as a freshman while playing left outside linebacker, to dominating the trenches with Dan Connor while lining up at middle line-backer as a sophomore, then shifting back outside to man the right linebacker position as a junior, one thing was evident - Lee was the hardest hitter on the team. His return to the lineup in 2009, this time as a left outside linebacker, saw him team up with Josh Hull and Navorro Bowman to give Penn State three defenders that all ranked in the top seven players for tackles-per-game in the Big Ten Conference. That trio combined for 295 tackles for a Nittany Lions squad that ranked sixth in the nation vs. the run (89.95 ypg), ninth in total defense (274.46 ypg) and third in scoring defense (12.23 ppg) in Lee's final season. A focused competitor, Lee is a playmaker who brings tremendous desire and tenacity to every snap. He is one of the squad's most personable and service-oriented members, participating in the THON Make-A-Wish program, studentathlete reading program, Habitat for Humanity and the Pennsylvania Special Olympics State Summer Games, in addition to other community service activities.

Before arriving at a school known for its renowned linebacker corps, Lee was the latest in a long line of outstanding players who have played for head coach Jim Render at Upper St. Clair High School. A first-team Associated Press Class AAAA All-State selection, Lee was the 2005 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette High School Male Athlete-of-the-Year and was honored at the prestigious Dapper Dan Dinner in 2006.

He also was named to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 and played in the 2005 Big 33 Classic vs. Ohio. His team combined to go 31-4 during his three years as a starter, including 11-1 as a senior. The safety and tailback ran for 1,240 yards and 21 touchdowns on 187 carries for a superlative 6.6 average and posted 95 tackles and four interceptions during his senior season. He made 23 tackles and returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown in a Western Pennsylvania district AAAA semifinal game vs. Pittsburgh Central Catholic that season.

The outstanding athlete also excelled on the basketball floor, leading the Panthers to a 75-12 record in three seasons as a starter. During his senior year, he averaged 21.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game to lead his team to the Western Pennsylvania district AAAA title. He is one of a select few athletes in the past 25 years to be named to the Post- Gazette Fabulous 22 football team and the Fabulous Five basketball team. An outstanding student, he graduated from Upper St. Clair with a 3.70 grade-point average.

Upon his arrival at Penn State in 2005, the coaching staff couldn't keep the talented Lee off the field, as he excelled on special teams while understudying behind Paul Posluszny at left outside linebacker in 2005. A member of the Dean's List, he registered eleven tackles (6 solos) as a true freshman.

The Academic All-Big Ten Conference selection took over middle linebacker chores in 2006. Lee was instrumental in helping the Penn State defense rank in the top 15 nationally in rushing (87.5 ypg, seventh), scoring defense (14.4 ppg, ninth), total defense (284.5 ypg, 15th), pass efficiency defense (105.9 rating, 14th) and sacks (40, sixth tie). He recorded 90 tackles, good for third on the squad, with eight stops for loss, 5.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, one interception and two pass break-ups.

Lee had a tremendous junior season in 2007, ranking second in the Big Ten Conference with 138 tackles, trailing only teammate Dan Connor, and giving Penn State just its third pair of century-busting tacklers since records began being kept in 1969. He was selected a first-team All-American by Pro Football Weekly and earned second-team All-Conference honors in a league that featured two of the three finalists for the Butkus Award and the winner of the Bednarik Award. Lee's 138 tackles rank fifth on the school season list and he recorded double-figures in tackles in 10 of the last 11 games. He also recorded 10.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, forced three fumbles, recovered three fumbles and grabbed one interception. He also was second on the team with eight pass breakups. He was tied for first in the Big Ten in fumble recoveries and was tied for seventh in the conference in forced fumbles.

Lee injured his knee in spring drills and took a medical redshirt season in 2008. His teammates honored the leadership and direction he had provided by selecting him an honorary captain at the conclusion of spring practice. Lee returned to the gridiron at left outside linebacker in 2009, earning All-Big Ten second-team honors. The Butkus Award semifinalist finished third on the team with 86 tackles. He added two sacks among his 11.0 stops for loss and deflected seven passes while picking off another. He owned a 3.09 grade-point average in finance and the three-time Academic All- Big Ten Conference honoree graduated from Penn State in December, 2009.

CAREER NOTES:
Lee started 33 of 44 games at Penn State, including 13 at middle linebacker, 12 at right outside linebacker and eight on the left side...Recorded 324 tackles (154 solos) with 11.0 sacks for minus 85 yards, 28.5 stops for losses of 122 yards, 16 pass breakups and three interceptions for 13 yards in returns...Caused four fumbles and recovered six others, returning three of them for a total of 17 yards...Ranks fourth in school history with 325 tackles, joining Dan Connor (419, 2004-07), Paul Posluszny (372, 2003-06), Greg Buttle (343, 1973-75) and Brian Gelzheiser (315, 1991-94) as the only Nittany Lions to registered 300 or more tackles in a career...His 2007 total of 138 tackles rank fifth on the school season-record list behind Greg Buttle (165 in 1974, 140 in 1975), Dan Connor (145 in 2007) and Shawn Mayer (144 in 2002).

2009 SEASON: Earned All-Big Ten Conference second-team honors...Academic All-Big Ten choice...Started eight of 10 games at left outside linebacker...Placed third on the team with 86 tackles (47 solos) that included two sacks for minus 16 yards and was second on the squad (10th in the league) with 11.0 stops for losses totaling 41 yards... Recovered a fumble and deflected seven passes...Also had a 13-yard interception return...Part of a squad that ranked second in the Big Ten in total defense (ninth nationally, 274.46 ypg) and rush defense (sixth in the NCAA, 89.85 ypg) while leading the conference in scoring defense (12.23 ppg)...Made 58 plays vs. the ground game, limiting those ball carriers to 153 yards (2.64 ypc), no touchdowns and eight first downs, as he stopped three runners at the line of scrimmage for no gain, took 14 rushers down for a loss (solos/assists) and killed 12 scoring drives behind one fourth-down and 13 third-down hits...Had 13 tackles inside the red zone, including four on goalline plays.

2008 SEASON: Granted a medical redshirt, his teammates honored the leadership and direction he had provided immediately following the 2007 season by selecting him an honorary captain at the conclusion of spring practice...Even though he was unable to play, the coaching staff thought so highly of Lee that he traveled to every away game as one of the 70 allowable players to dress and served as an undergraduate coach on the sidelines, helping relay signals and suggest adjustments.

2007 SEASON: All-American first-team selection by Pro Football Weekly and second-team All-Big Ten Conference accolades from the league's coaches, despite twice earning Big Ten Player of the Week honors...Started all but the Michigan contest at right outside linebacker, recording 138 tackles (54 solos), the fifth-best season total in Penn State history...Trailed only teammate Dan Connor (145) on the Big Ten tackle list for the season, giving Penn State just its third pair of centurybusting tacklers since tackle records began being kept in 1969...Recorded double-figures in tackles in 10 of the last 11 games...Also registered 10.5 tackles for loss (minus-34), 3.5 sacks for minus 23 yards, forced three fumbles, recovered three fumbles and grabbed one interception...Second on the team with eight pass breakups...Tied for first in the Big Ten in fumble recoveries and was tied for seventh in the conference in forced fumbles...Ranked second on the team by participating in 989 plays.

2006 SEASON: Academic All-Big Ten Conference choice...On the field for 823 snaps, led by 84 vs. Illinois...Started all 13 games at middle linebacker, recording 89 tackles (46 solos) with 5.5 sacks for minus 46 yards, eight stops for losses of 57 yards and a pass break-up...Picked off a pass, caused a fumble and recovered two others...Was instrumental in helping the Penn State defense rank in the top 15 nationally in rushing (87.5 ypg, seventh), scoring defense (14.4 ppg, ninth), total defense (284.5 ypg, 15th), pass efficiency defense (105.9 rating, 14th) and sacks (40, sixth tie).

2005 SEASON: Lee appeared in eight games as a reserve behind Paul Posluszny and Spencer Ridenhour at left outside linebacker, recording 11 tackles (6 solos)...Earned Dean's List honors during the fall semester.

HIGH SCHOOL:
Lee was the latest in a long line of outstanding players for Coach Jim Render at Upper St. Clair HS. A first-team Associated Press Class AAAA all-state selection, Lee was the 2005 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette High School Male Athlete-ofthe- Year and was honored at the prestigious Dapper Dan Dinner in 2006. He also was named to the Pittsburgh Tribune- Review Terrific 25 and played in the 2005 Big 33 Classic vs. Ohio. USC combined to go 31-4 during his three years as a starter, including 11-1 as a senior. He ran for 1,240 yards and 21 touchdowns on 187 carries for a superlative 6.6 average and posted 95 tackles and four interceptions at safety during his senior season. He made 23 tackles and returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown in a Western Pennsylvania district AAAA semifinal game vs. Pittsburgh Central Catholic. The outstanding athlete also excelled on the basketball floor, leading the Panthers to a 75-12 record in three seasons as a starter. During his senior season, he averaged 21.2 ppg, 9.1 rpg and 3.2 assists per game to lead USC to the Western Pennsylvania district AAAA title. Lee is one of a select few athletes in the past 25 years to be selected to the Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 football team and the Fabulous Five basketball team. An outstanding student, Lee graduated from Upper St. Clair with a 3.70 grade-point average.

PERSONAL:
Graduated in December, 2009 with a degree in Finance, attaining a 3.09 grade point average...Three-time Academic All- Big Ten Conference choice and added Academic All-District honors from ESPN in 2007...Older brother, Conor, who was the placekicker for the University of Pittsburgh from 2005-08 and was the 2008 Big East Football Scholar-Athlete-of-the- Year....Born Sean Patrick Lee on 7/22/86...Resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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