Del'Shawn Phillips

Del'Shawn Phillips's Biography

Del’Shawn Phillips, an American professional football linebacker currently playing for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL), was born on October 9, 1996. Embarking on his career in college, Phillips first showed sparks of brilliance at the Western Michigan. However, He was ruled academically ineligible and decided to pursue education independently, reaffirming his commitment to his career and his personal development. During this time, he enrolled at Mott Community College and took online courses for a year – time he utilized to refocus on his future role in sport.

After a year, Phillips seized an opportunity to get back on the field by enrolling at Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kansas. Not one to let a learning opportunity slip, he dove headfirst into his freshman year, recording impressive stats of 72 tackles, alongside 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks. His notable performance didn’t wane in his sophomore year either – making 95 tackles and playing a key part in the Broncbusters’ 2016 NJCAA National Football Championship win.

Moreover, as the time approached to transfer and complete the final two seasons of his eligibility, Phillips made the surprising decision to choose Illinois over his initial selection, Arizona. It did not take long for Phillips to demonstrate the wisdom of this decision. In his first season at Illinois, he was named as a starter and ended the season on a high note as the Fighting Illini’s lead tackler with 85 tackles. His performance only escalated in his senior year, leading the team with 95 tackles and making four interceptions. Recognizing his invaluable contribution, he was voted as the team captain and received an honorable mention in the All-Big Ten Conference.

Following his college career, Phillips turned professional. The Atlanta Falcons signed him as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2019. Despite being waived during the final roster cuts in August, he soon found a new home with the Buffalo Bills, signing for their practice squad in October 2019. He spent the rest of the season with the practice squad, eventually signing a futures contract with the Bills in January 2020.

Phillips’s NFL debut came in September 2020 during the Bills’ opener against the New York Jets, unfortunately, causing him a quadriceps injury. Despite having to struggle with injury through to November, his performance was commendable. In early 2021, the Bills waived him. His stint with Bills included two games, with all his 14 snaps coming on special teams.

Phillips’s journey continued with the New York Jets. He signed with the Jets in March 2021. Following his tenure there, Phillips was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Ravens in August 2022 and he decided to re-sign with them in March 2023.

Finally, his journey led him to the Houston Texans. On March 15, 2024, Phillips signed a one-year contract with the Texans, marking another new chapter in his professional football career. However, this new phase was met with a setback. On July 18, 2024, Phillips was placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

This encapsulates the journey of Del’Shawn Phillips, a football player whose journey is testament to his resilience, the strength of his spirit and his unwavering commitment to the game he is passionate about. His achievements bear witness to his untiring dedication and fortitude, making him an inspirational figure in the world of American Football.