Shane Conlan

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Shane Conlan
Date of birth	April 3, 1964 (age 42)
Place of birth	Frewsburg, New York
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight	230 lb (105 kg)
Position(s)	Linebacker
College	Penn State
NFL Draft	1987 / Round 1/ Pick 8
Career Highlights
Pro Bowls	1988. 1989, 1990
Awards	1987 Defensive Rookie of the Year 1987 AFC Rookie of the Year 1993 Rams MVP
Stats
Statistics	Pro Football Reference DatabaseFootball
Team(s)
1987-1992 1993-1995	Buffalo Bills Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams

Shane Patrick Conlan (born April 3, 1964 in Frewsburg, New York) played college Football at Penn State University, where he won two national titles (1982, 1986). Conlan, number 31, was a two-time All American (1985 and 1986) as an outside linebacker, selected by NEA in 1985 and by Walter Camp, The Football News, Football Writers, Football Coaches, Associated Press, United Press International, and College and Pro Football Newsweekly in 1986. The sixth Penn State two-time All-American, Conlan led the 1986 squad in tackles with 79, including a team-high 63 solo stops.

Conlan was a captain and the key defensive member of the undefeated Penn State Nittany Lion football team that was crowned NCAA Division I-A national football champions in 1986. In the national championship game with University of Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, Conlan’s second interception, and his 38-yard return to the five-yard line, set up the Nittany Lions’ winning touchdown. More than 52 million people watched the historic game, which is still the most watched college football game of all time with a 25.1 Nielsen rating. This record rating is most often attributed both to Penn State's extremely large and loyal fanbase (Penn State has the largest alumni association in the country) and to the questionable behavior of Miami's players during the week leading up to the game. Due to Penn State's and head coach Joe Paterno's well-deserved reputation for good sportsmanship and high academic standards, the game was characterized in the media as a clash of good versus evil. With Penn State's 14-10 victory, Conlan's defense solidified its reputation as one of the best in college football history.

Conlan was selected as the No. 1 draft pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1987. After his rookie season, he was awarded the 1987 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press. He was also a three time pro bowler during his career. Conlan played with the Bills (1987-92) and the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams (1993-95) before retiring from the NFL in 1995.