Sean Patrick Lee (born July 22, 1986) is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Penn State.
Sean Lee, selected in the second round (55th overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, was chosen with intentions of becoming an inside force at linebacker for years to come. After Lee spent his rookie season learning behind solid veteran inside linebackers Keith Brooking and Bradie James, he became a full time starter on the inside in 2011. Lee was also charged with quarterbacking the defense in his role as a first-time starter and excelled in the spotlight. He paced the defense with 131 tackles - 52 more than the second place finisher - and tied for the team lead in tackles for losses (eight), interceptions (four) and fumble recoveries (two). Lee started all 15 games he played in his second season, missing one with a wrist injury. As a rookie in 2010, he saw time in the club’s nickel packages to gain a solid foundation of the pro-style 3-4 defense. He was plagued by injuries early in the preseason and in the first few weeks of the regular season, but rebounded and played in 14 games.
Early life
He is the son of Craig Lee and Jennifer Lee of Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania. Lee's older brother Connor was the placekicker for the University of Pittsburgh and his sister Alexandra was a student athlete at Upper St. Clair High School. Sean is also a grandson of Federal Judge Donald J. Lee of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
High School
Lee was a multi-sport star at Upper St. Clair High School outside Pittsburgh, he was a three-year starter at point guard in basketball, averaging 21.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists as a senior, and winning a district title. In football, Lee rushed for 1,240 yards and 21 touchdowns while registering 95 tackles and four picks as a safety for an 11-1 squad his senior year.
College career
A 2005 graduate of Upper St. Clair High School in Upper St. Clair Township, Pennsylvania. Lee went on to play college football at Penn State. Heading into 2008, Lee was a starting outside linebacker for coach Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions for two consecutive seasons. In his junior year he was 2nd team all Big Ten, finishing second on the team in tackles with 138. He had a season high 17 tackles versus Illinois, and registered more than 10 tackles in all but three games. He also had two interceptions and three forced fumbles on the season.
In April 2008, Lee tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a non-contact drill at spring practice. Despite being forced to take a medical redshirt for the 2008 season, Lee's teammates elected him a team captain that season. While rehabbing, he opted to serve as an undergraduate assistant coach, participating in every practice and wearing a headset on the sidelines during games that season.
Lee was again elected team captain by his teammates prior to the 2009 season.
College awards and honors
2007 Alamo Bowl Defensive MVP
Third-team Athlon Sports pre-season All-Big Ten
Second-team Sporting News pre-season All-Big Ten Six Nittany Lions Named To The Sporting News’ All-Big Ten Team
He was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after his effort in the Florida International game on September 1, 2007, and again following Penn State's 31-6 victory over Temple on September 19, 2009.
He was named Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Week with Ohio State's James Laurinaitis following his efforts in the Purdue game on November 3, 2007
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
2010
Lee dropped in the 2010 NFL Draft after suffering major injuries to both of his knees during his final two years of college football. The Dallas Cowboys traded up with the Philadelphia Eagles moving from the 59th to the 55th position, in exchange for a fourth (No. 125) round draft choice, in order to select him in the second round. After the draft, Wade Phillips said that he thought Lee could play both inside linebacker positions ("Mike" & "Mo") in the Cowboys 3–4 defense. He was bothered by nagging injuries in training camp, in doing so failed to see a lot of action on the field.
He earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week and Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week honors for his December 5, 2010, performance versus Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, in which he recorded the first two interceptions of his pro career—including one he returned for a touchdown, and one in overtime to set up the game-winning field goal.
2011
Promoted to starting inside linebacker in 2011, Lee thrived immediately in new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s scheme. In the opening game versus the New York Jets, Lee intercepted Mark Sanchez to earn his 3rd interception of his career. His key interception of Rex Grossman and fumble recovery in the final minute of the Cowboys’ Monday Night Football game with versus the Washington Redskins were crucial in the 18-16 comeback.
By week three, Lee had a team-leading 36 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, a tackle for a loss, and three pass breakups, earning him NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors. He was the first Cowboys player in franchise history to win the award.
In the 7th game of the 2011 season against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Field, Lee suffered a dislocated left wrist in the first quarter when he hit his hand against Michael Vick's helmet, but opted against having season ending surgery. After 7 games, Lee lead the team in total tackles with 51, 15 more tackles than the next leading tackler, Gerald Sensabaugh with 36 total tackles. Lee also ranked first on the team with 3 interceptions, the only player on the team through the first seven games with more than one interception. On the eighth game of the season, Sean Lee was inactive due to the wrist injury sustained the previous week.
Lee ended up having a break out season, becoming one of the defense leaders by calling all the plays, leading the team with 131 tackles and tying for the team lead in interceptions (four) and tackles for loss (eight). He also became only the second linebacker to have ever intercepted both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.
2012
Sean Lee's season opener started strong. He ended the game against New York Giants with 10 tackles, 2 assists and a forced fumble on David Wilson. He registered 14 tackles against the Seattle Seahawks in the second game of the season, tying him with Lee Roy Jordan for the 41-year old team record for most tackles in a game. Jordan did it on September 26, 1971 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Against the Carolina Panthers, Lee injured his right big toe, and was placed on injured reserve.
2013
During the week 4 game against the San Diego Chargers, Lee had 18 tackles and returned an interception 52 yards for his 2nd career touchdown. During the month of October, Lee led the Cowboys with 52 tackles (3 for loss) and 3 interceptions. One of his 2 interceptions against the Detroit Lions in week 8 included a career high 74 yard return. His strong performances led to Lee being named NFC Defensive Player of the Month.
2014
On May 27, 2014 it was reported that Lee tore his ACL for the third time in his career immediately prior to being blocked to the ground by rookie offensive lineman Zack Martin during an organized team activity (OTA). He is expected to miss the entire 2014 season.Prior to the draft, draft analyst Mike Mayock was quoted saying "I wouldn't be surprised if he snuck in late in the first round. If he doesn't, I think he's going to go in the front half of the second round. He's too good."
COMMUNITY:
• 2010 Dallas Cowboys Rookie Club.
• 2010 Served an early Thanksgiving meal at The Salvation Army.
• 2011 Super Bowl XLV youth football clinics.
• 2011 Super Bowl XLV NFL Experience Kids Zone book reader.
• 2011 Super Bowl XLV One World Super Huddle event for school kids.
• 2011-12 Fuel Up to Play 60.
• 2011 Guest Speaker at Ford High School Football Player Program.
• 2012 Dallas Cowboys Draft Day/Fan Appreciation Party.
• 2012 Reliant Home Run Derby benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters.
• 2012 Dallas Cowboys/Miller Fan Fest in San Antonio, Texas.
• 2012 Dallas Cowboys U High School Camp Head Coach.
• Annual team Holiday Hospital Visits.
• Salvation Army Angel Tree Christmas Program.
• Dallas Cowboys Kickoff Luncheon and Cowboys Family Cookbook benefitting Happy Hill Farm.
• Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas.
PERSONAL:
• Was a first-team Associated Press Class AAAA all-state selection at Upper St. Clair High School in Pittsburg, Pa.
• Was the 2005 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette High School Male Athlete of the Year and was honored at the prestigious Dapper Dan Dinner in 2006, and also was named to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 and played in the 2005 Big 33 Classic against Ohio.
• Upper St. Clair combined to go 31-4 during his three years as a starter, including 11-1 as a senior.
• 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.
• Also excelled on the basketball court, leading the Panthers to a 75-12 record in three seasons as a starter.
• Averaged 21.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists-per-game to lead USC to the Western Pennsylvania district AAAA title as a senior.
• 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.
• Has an 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.
• Graduated with a degree in finance at Penn State.
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