Shaq Lawson

Shaq Lawson's Biography

Shaquille Lawson, known as Shaq in the National Football League (NFL), was born on June 17, 1994, and demonstrated exceptional athleticism from a young age. Today, he is a highly recognized professional football player and a reputable linebacker for the Carolina Panthers. Nevertheless, his journey to this position was not a straight and narrow path but filled with hurdles and milestones—both personal and professional—that had shaped him into the athlete he is today.

The South Carolina native, Shaquille Olajuwan Lawson, was named in honor of two basketball legends: Shaquille O’Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon. Lawson attended D.W. Daniel High School in Central, South Carolina where he first showcased his football prowess. His high school career was exceptional, recording 99 tackles and nine sacks during his senior year, following 100 tackles and 13 sacks as a junior. Recognized as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Lawson committed to Clemson University, a reliable route for young football talents to the NFL. However, before heading to college, Lawson attended Hargrave Military Academy for a year to fine-tune his skills.

At Clemson University in 2013, Lawson played in all the 13 games in his first year. He recorded 35 tackles and four sacks, matching the records of William Perry and Ricky Sapp for the most by a first-year freshman at the time. Even though his record was later broken in 2016 by Dexter Lawrence, Lawson’s accomplishment didn’t go unnoticed. In his sophomore year, he played in all the 13 games with one as a starter and managed 44 tackles and 3.5 sacks. By the time he reached his junior year in 2015, he had already established himself as a competent starter.

Lawson’s professional career began in 2016. The Buffalo Bills selected him as the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft—an affirming response to Lawson’s hard work and talent. As the Bills signed Lawson to a four-year, $10.27 million contract, the young linebacker experienced the first major obstacle in his career. He underwent shoulder surgery, sidelining him for 4 to 6 months. Despite the setback, he returned to the game, securing his first NFL sack against the New England Patriots in Week 8.

For the next few years, Lawson had significant ups and downs. Although he suffered an ankle injury in Week 13 of 2017, which led to him being placed on injured reserve, he returned to the field stronger the following year. In 2018, despite being the backup to free-agent signing Trent Murphy, he received a considerable playing time, thanks to the defensive rotation. At this time, Lawson was making headlines, not only for his on-field performance but also for an infamous brawl during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

By the end of 2018, Lawson laid claim to his first career multi-sack game against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17 and finished the season with much-improved stats. However, the Bills declined the fifth-year option on Lawson’s contract in 2019, pushing him to free agency in 2020. Lawson made a move to the Miami Dolphins in 2020, securing a three-year, $30 million contract with a career-high 6.5 sacks.

In 2021, Lawson switched teams again—this time to the Houston Texans. However, he was traded to the New York Jets later that same year. Lawson experienced another setback after being released by the Jets just prior to their season finale. However, the determined athlete was not to be discouraged. His journey came full circle when he returned to the Buffalo Bills in 2023 after speaking publicly about his desire to do so.

Demonstrating his resilience and robust skill set, Lawson played in 15 games during the 2022–23 season, recording 31 combined tackles, 3.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. This impressive performance led to Lawson re-signing with the Bills in April 2023. However, by October 2024, he had been signed to the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad.

Throughout his journey, both on and off the football field, Lawson has endured hardships. He faced a personal tragedy during his junior year of high school when his father was killed in a car accident. This event significantly impacted Lawson and led him to choose Clemson University to stay close to his family. Overcoming these challenges, Lawson continues to stand as a figure of resilience and determination, both as a person and as a professional NFL athlete.