Shawn Springs: Chronicling the Former Seattle Seahawk

My third installment of chronicling the careers of former Seahawks follows corner Shawn Springs.  Springs started his career with the Seahawks in 1997 and played for seven seasons with Seattle.

Springs was drafted with the third overall pick in the 1997 draft out of Ohio State University.  He was All-Big Ten twice in 1995 and 1996.  He also won Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 1996. He finished his career with 152 career tackles and six interceptions.  Springs also had one kickoff return for a touchdown.

In his rookie season, Springs played in 10 games and recorded 38 tackles and one interception.

In 1998, Springs did not feel the effects of a “sophomore slump”, as he tallied 75 tackles and seven interceptions, two of which resulted in touchdowns.  He made his only Pro Bowl in his career during the 1998 season.  Springs had another terrific season in 1999, recording 73 tackles and five interceptions. 

However, Springs’ career in Seattle hit a snag as he was suspended four games of the season for violating the NFL’s steroid policy in 2001.

According to the reports, Springs took the banned substance while working out away from team facilities and away from team trainers.  Springs' test showed that the element taken was more of a supplement than a steroid.

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said that the news of Springs was shocking:

"I think everyone was surprised, I'm sure Shawn was surprised.  I'm sure it wasn't anything intentional. You don't want to say it could happen to anybody, but it could happen.  There are a lot of things that are illegal now that are over-the-counter stuff.  So you really have to be careful."

Springs also suffered through a hamstring injury to begin the 2001 season.  He played in only eight games in ’01.

Springs played only two more seasons with the Seahawks.  In 2003, he suffered a broken shoulder in an exhibition game against the Denver Broncos attempting to tackle Broncos fullback Mike Anderson.

In an article written by the Seattle Times, Springs disclosed the severity of the injury, saying that “the pain is worse than a broken left shoulder he suffered while in college at Ohio State.”

"Every time I put on the damn uniform (something bad happens)," Springs said last night, "I try to get away from it (injuries), but it didn't work. I said to myself, 'This cannot be real.’"

In his final season as a Seahawk, Springs played in 12 games, recording 43 tackles and one interception.  Springs also recorded his first sack of his NFL career against the Cleveland Browns.

Springs was signed as a free agent by the Washington Redskins in 2004. He became the first corner in NFL history to lead the team in both sacks and interceptions.   He was voted third alternate to the Pro Bowl.

In 2005, Springs started 15 games for the Redskins, recording 51 tackles and one interception.  Springs made his return to Seattle in ’05 as well, as his Redskins faced the Seahawks in the divisional playoffs on January 14, 2006. 

Springs played in only nine games in 2006 after suffering a broken shoulder blade.  He played in all 16 games in 2007 and tallied 62 tackles and four interceptions.  He played in only nine games in his final season with Washington in 2008.

Springs was finally released from the Washington Redskins after the signing of DeAngelo Hall.  He then quickly signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots.