Editing Shaun Ellis

{{Short description|American football player (born 1977)}}
{{About|the American football player|the wolf researcher|Shaun Ellis (wolf researcher)}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name        = Shaun Ellis
| image       = Shaun Ellis-Jets vs. Jaguars November 15, 2009.jpg
| alt         =
| caption     = Ellis with the New York Jets in 2009
| number      = 92
| position    = [[Defensive end]]
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1977|6|24|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Anderson, South Carolina]], U.S.
| death_date  = 
| death_place = 
| height_ft   = 6
| height_in   = 5
| weight_lbs  = 290
| high_school = [[Westside High School (South Carolina)|Westside]]<br>(Anderson, South Carolina)
| college     = [[Tennessee Volunteers football|Tennessee]]
| draftyear   = 2000
| draftround  = 1
| draftpick   = 12
| pastteams   = * [[New York Jets]] ({{NFL Year|2000}}–{{NFL Year|2010}})
* [[New England Patriots]] ({{NFL Year|2011}})
| highlights  = * 2× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[2004 Pro Bowl|2003]], [[2010 Pro Bowl|2009]])
* [[BCS national champion]] ([[1999 Fiesta Bowl|1998]])
* First-team [[List of All-SEC football teams|All-SEC]] ([[1999 All-SEC football team|1999]])
| statlabel1  = [[Tackle (football move)|Total tackles]]
| statvalue1  = 566
| statlabel2  = [[Quarterback sack|Sacks]]
| statvalue2  = 73.5
| statlabel3  = [[Pass deflections]]
| statvalue3  = 16
| statlabel4  = [[Fumble|Forced fumbles]]
| statvalue4  = 13
| statlabel5  = [[Interception]]s
| statvalue5  = 1
| pfr         = ElliSh00 
}}

'''MeShaunda Pizarrur Ellis''' (born June 24, 1977),<ref name="Ellis, PFR">{{Cite web |title=Shaun Ellis Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805104222/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00.htm |archive-date=August 5, 2011 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |publisher=Sports Reference LLC |language=en}}</ref> nicknamed "'''Big Katt'''",<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 8, 2009 |title=Player Q&A: Shaun Ellis |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/player-q-a-shaun-ellis-2515194 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201015956/https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/player-q-a-shaun-ellis-2515194 |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=NewYorkJets.com |language=en-US}}</ref> is an American former professional [[American football|football]] player who was a [[defensive end]] who spent the majority of his career with the [[New York Jets]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL). He played [[college football]] for the [[Tennessee Volunteers football|Tennessee Volunteers]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Players/Alumni |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/tennessee/index.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923151952/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/tennessee/index.htm |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>  Ellis was selected by the Jets in the first round of the [[2000 NFL draft]] with the 12th overall pick. He also played for the [[New England Patriots]].  He was a two-time [[Pro Bowl]] selection.

==College career==
Ellis enrolled in the [[University of Tennessee]], where he was a stand-out [[defensive end]] for the [[Tennessee Volunteers football]] team under head coach [[Phillip Fulmer]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Calhoun |first=Caleb |date=June 24, 2020 |title=Tennessee football's top 10 NFL DEs ever |url=https://allfortennessee.com/2020/06/24/tennessee-football-top-10-des-nfl/8/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=All for Tennessee |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=John |date=June 3, 2009 |title=Ellis ready to say goodbye to UT to help his mom |url=https://www.theledger.com/story/news/1999/12/30/ellis-ready-to-say-goodbye/8058959007/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=The Ledger |language=en-US}}</ref> In the [[1998 Tennessee Volunteers football team|1998 season]], he was part of the undefeated Volunteers team that won the National Championship over [[1998 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]] in the [[1999 Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta Bowl]] in [[Tempe, Arizona]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harralson |first=Dan |date=August 8, 2021 |title=Tennessee defeats Florida State to win 1998 national championship |url=https://volswire.usatoday.com/gallery/photos-tennessee-vols-football-and-phillip-fulmer-defeats-florida-state-seminoles-and-bobby-bowden-to-win-1998-national-championship/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102043302/https://volswire.usatoday.com/gallery/photos-tennessee-vols-football-and-phillip-fulmer-defeats-florida-state-seminoles-and-bobby-bowden-to-win-1998-national-championship/ |archive-date=January 2, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=Vols Wire |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Layden |first=Tim |date=January 11, 1999 |title=Rocky Top Resilient and unselfish Tennessee completed an unbeaten season and claimed the national title by beating Florida State in a raggedly played Fiesta Bowl |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1999/01/11/rocky-top-resilient-and-unselfish-tennessee-completed-an-unbeaten-season-and-claimed-the-national-title-by-beating-florida-state-in-a-raggedly-played-fiesta-bowl |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801114057/https://vault.si.com/vault/1999/01/11/rocky-top-resilient-and-unselfish-tennessee-completed-an-unbeaten-season-and-claimed-the-national-title-by-beating-florida-state-in-a-raggedly-played-fiesta-bowl |archive-date=August 1, 2021 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated Vault |language=en-us}}</ref> At the end of his collegiate career, he had 105 tackles, 12.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and one interception which he returned for 90 yards to score a touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 5, 2008 |title=Shaun Ellis |url=http://www.newyorkjets.com/team/player/238-shaun-ellis |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229075003/http://www.newyorkjets.com/team/player/238-shaun-ellis |archive-date=February 29, 2008 |access-date=March 5, 2008 |website=New York Jets}}</ref>

==Professional career==
{{NFL predraft
|    height ft = 6
|    height in = 4 3/8
|       weight = 280
|         dash =
|    ten split =
| twenty split =
|      shuttle =
|   cone drill =
|     vertical =
|     broad ft =
|     broad in =
|        bench =
|     arm span =
|    hand span =
|    wonderlic =
|         note = All values from NFL Combine<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shaun Ellis, Tennessee, DE, 2000 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=523&DraftYear=2000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204091836/http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=523&DraftYear=2000 |archive-date=February 4, 2022 |access-date=February 4, 2022 |website=draftscout.com}}</ref>
}}

===New York Jets (2000–2010)===
Ellis was selected by the [[New York Jets]] in the first round with the 12th overall pick in the [[2000 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2000 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2000/draft.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027151700/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2000/draft.htm |archive-date=October 27, 2018 |access-date=March 19, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He was the first of four first round draft picks that the Jets had that year, and was the compensation pick from the [[New England Patriots]] for hiring [[Bill Belichick]] away from the Jets as their head coach.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barth |first=Alex |date=January 27, 2020 |title=Where are they now? Tracking the picks used in the Bill Belichick trade |url=https://985thesportshub.com/2020/01/27/where-are-they-now-tracking-the-picks-used-in-the-bill-belichick-trade/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324125542/https://985thesportshub.com/2020/01/27/where-are-they-now-tracking-the-picks-used-in-the-bill-belichick-trade/ |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=98.5 The Sports Hub – Boston's Home For Sports |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2000 New York Jets Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyj/2000_draft.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204011057/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyj/2000_draft.htm |archive-date=December 4, 2022 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The other players drafted were defensive end [[John Abraham (American football)|John Abraham]] (13th overall), quarterback [[Chad Pennington]] (18th overall), and tight end [[Anthony Becht]] (27th overall).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Battista |first=Judy |author-link=Judy Battista |date=April 16, 2000 |title=Jets Bolster Pass Rush, and Snag a Passer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/16/sports/2000-draft-jets-bolster-pass-rush-and-snag-a-passer.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527134756/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/16/sports/2000-draft-jets-bolster-pass-rush-and-snag-a-passer.html |archive-date=May 27, 2015 |access-date=September 24, 2009 |website=New York Times}}</ref>

Ellis was an immediate impact player. In his rookie season, he recorded 8.5 sacks, 67 total tackles (50 solo), one interception, three passes defended, and one forced fumble.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shaun Ellis 2000 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2000/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104133127/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2000/ |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Only defensive end [[Hugh Douglas (American football)|Hugh Douglas]], with 10 sacks in the [[1995 New York Jets season|1995 season]], ranks higher in Jets history for most sacks by a rookie.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Al |date=December 19, 2000 |title=Bad day turned worse for Jets |url=https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/Bad-day-turned-worse-for-Jets-11940537.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805233858/https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/Bad-day-turned-worse-for-Jets-11940537.php |archive-date=August 5, 2021 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=The Middletown Press |language=en-US}}</ref> After [[2001 NFL season|2001]] and [[2002 NFL season|2002]] campaigns which saw his overall numbers drop,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shaun Ellis 2001 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104133131/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2001/ |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Shaun Ellis 2002 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104133134/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2002/ |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Ellis rebounded in the 2003 season with 12.5 [[tackle (football move)|sacks]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shaun Ellis 2003 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2003/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104133139/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2003/ |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Ellis earned a Pro Bowl nomination for the 2003 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2003 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2003/probowl.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327184626/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2003/probowl.htm |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Ellis followed up his [[2003 NFL season|2003 season]] with 11 sacks, 57 total tackles (39 solo), four passes defended, and two forced fumbles. in [[2004 NFL season|2004]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shaun Ellis 2004 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2004/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104133142/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2004/ |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In Week 17 of the 2004 season, he recorded three sacks in the final game of the 2004 regular season against the [[2004 St. Louis Rams season|St. Louis Rams]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=New York Jets at St. Louis Rams – January 2nd, 2005 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200501020ram.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220065853/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200501020ram.htm |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Ellis anchored a strong Jets run defense which contributed to a 10–6 season and a Wild Card berth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 New York Jets Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyj/2004.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415212840/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyj/2004.htm |archive-date=April 15, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

In the 2005 season, Ellis appeared in and started 13 games. He finished with 2.5 sacks, 38 total tackles (31 solo), and one forced fumble.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shaun Ellis 2005 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2005/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104133145/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2005/ |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In the 2006 season, Ellis appeared in and started 16 games. He finished with five sacks, 58 total tackles (37 solo), three passes defended, and one forced fumble.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shaun Ellis 2006 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2006/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104133149/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2006/ |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

In Week 11 of the 2007 season, Ellis earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week against the [[2007 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]. He had two sacks, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in the 19–16 win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets – November 18th, 2007 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200711180nyj.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122011427/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200711180nyj.htm |archive-date=January 22, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2007 NFL Week 11 Leaders & Scores |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2007/week_11.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331200736/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2007/week_11.htm |archive-date=March 31, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In the 2007 season, Ellis had five sacks, 49 total tackles (33 solo), and one forced fumble in 16 games and starts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shaun Ellis 2007 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104133153/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2007/ |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

In Week 15 of the 2008 season, in a home game against their [[AFC East]] divisional rival [[2008 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]], Ellis recovered a fumble from quarterback [[J. P. Losman]] and ran it for a touchdown in the final two minutes, giving the Jets the lead and the eventual 31–27 win.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buffalo Bills at New York Jets – December 14th, 2008 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200812140nyj.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122010049/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200812140nyj.htm |archive-date=January 22, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> On December 23, Ellis was fined $10,000 for [[snowball fight|tossing snow at opposing fans]] when the Jets played the [[2008 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]] at [[Qwest Field]] the previous Sunday. Ellis claimed that it was "all in good fun."<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 23, 2008 |title=Jets' Ellis fined $10K for throwing snow at fans |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3789762 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308030811/https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3789762 |archive-date=March 8, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> He finished the 2008 season with eight sacks, 60 total tackles (41 solo), and two forced fumbles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shaun Ellis 2008 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2008/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104133156/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2008/ |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

In 2009, Ellis became the longest tenured player on the Jets roster.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bishop |first=Greg |date=January 22, 2011 |title=Bleeding Green |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/23/sports/football/23jets.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617084458/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/23/sports/football/23jets.html |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Under new head coach [[Rex Ryan]], Ellis helped lead the Jets to the postseason where the Jets made the [[2009–10 NFL playoffs#AFC: Indianapolis Colts 30, New York Jets 17|AFC Championship]] for the first time in 11 years but lost to the [[2009 Indianapolis Colts season|Indianapolis Colts]] by a score of 30–17.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship – New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts – January 24th, 2010 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201001240clt.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626024427/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201001240clt.htm |archive-date=June 26, 2021 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He finished the 2009 season with 6.5 sacks, 53 total tackles (35 solo), one pass defended, and one forced fumble.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shaun Ellis 2009 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2009/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104133200/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2009/ |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He earned a second career Pro Bowl nomination for his performance in the 2009 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2009 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2009/probowl.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821031640/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2009/probowl.htm |archive-date=August 21, 2018 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He was a replacement for [[Indianapolis Colts]] defensive end [[Robert Mathis]], who was playing in the Super Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jets DE Shaun Ellis added to AFC Pro Bowl roster – NFL News &#124; FOX Sports on MSN |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Jets-DE-Shaun-Ellis-added-to-AFC-Pro-Bowl-roster-54015636 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018020434/http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Jets-DE-Shaun-Ellis-added-to-AFC-Pro-Bowl-roster-54015636 |archive-date=October 18, 2012 |access-date=July 30, 2011}}</ref>

In the 2010 season, Ellis finished with 4.5 sacks, 36 total tackles, one pass defended, and one forced fumble in 15 games and starts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shaun Ellis 2010 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2010/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104133204/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2010/ |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Ellis had two sacks in the [[2010–11 NFL playoffs#AFC: New York Jets 28, New England Patriots 21|Divisional Round]] victory over the [[2010 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – New York Jets at New England Patriots – January 16th, 2011 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201101160nwe.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217014406/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201101160nwe.htm |archive-date=December 17, 2017 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The Jets advanced to the [[2010–11 NFL playoffs#AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers 24, New York Jets 19|AFC Championship]] for the second consecutive season in 2010. The team lost to the [[2010 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]] by a score of 24–19.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship – New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers – January 23rd, 2011 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201101230pit.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110061521/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201101230pit.htm |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

===New England Patriots (2011)===
Ellis signed with the [[New England Patriots]] on August 7, 2011, ending his 11-year tenure with the [[New York Jets]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Castillo |first=Jorge |date=August 7, 2011 |title=Jets Lose Shaun Ellis to the Patriots |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/08/sports/football/jets-lose-shaun-ellis-to-the-patriots.html?_r=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018013841/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/08/sports/football/jets-lose-shaun-ellis-to-the-patriots.html?_r=1 |archive-date=October 18, 2017 |access-date=June 13, 2023 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> During the 2011 season, Ellis played in 14 games with 14 total tackles and one sack.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shaun Ellis 2011 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2011/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104133208/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00/gamelog/2011/ |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The Patriots finished the regular season with a 13–3 record and advanced to [[Super Bowl XLVI]], which was Ellis's first career trip to the [[Super Bowl]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2011 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2011.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228171726/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2011.htm |archive-date=December 28, 2017 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The Patriots lost to the [[2011 New York Giants season|Giants]] by a score of 21–17.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XLVI – New York Giants vs. New England Patriots – February 5th, 2012 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201202050nwe.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624050312/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201202050nwe.htm |archive-date=June 24, 2017 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Ellis was not re-signed by the Patriots following the season.

===Free agency and retirement===
Ellis spent most of the 2012 season on free agency and eventually retired from professional football.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Scott |date=January 9, 2020 |title=WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The first-round picks from Tom Brady's infamous 2000 NFL Draft |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-the-tom-brady-draft-2015-9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203030009/https://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-the-tom-brady-draft-2015-9 |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref>

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! Year !! Team !! {{abbr|GP|Games played}} !! {{abbr|Cmb|Combined tackles}} !! {{abbr|Solo|Solo tackles}} !! {{abbr|Ast|Assisted tackles}} !! {{abbr|Sck|Sacks}} !! {{abbr|FF|Forced fumbles}} !! {{abbr|FR|Fumble recoveries}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Fumble return yards}} !! {{abbr|Int|Interceptions}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Interception return yards}} !! {{abbr|Avg|Average interception return}} !! {{abbr|Lng|Longest interception return}} !! {{abbr|TD|Interceptions returned for touchdown}} !! {{abbr|PD|Passes defensed}}
|-
! [[2000 NFL season|2000]] || [[2000 New York Jets season|NYJ]]
| 16 || 53 || 39 || 14 || 8.5 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 1.0 || 1 || 0 || 3
|-
! [[2001 NFL season|2001]] || [[2001 New York Jets season|NYJ]]
| 16 || 39 || 27 || 12 || 5.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 2
|-
! [[2002 NFL season|2002]] || [[2002 New York Jets season|NYJ]]
| 16 || 40 || 30 || 10 || 4.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 4
|-
! [[2003 NFL season|2003]] || [[2003 New York Jets season|NYJ]]
| 16 || 69 || 47 || 22 || 12.5 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2004 NFL season|2004]] || [[2004 New York Jets season|NYJ]]
| 15 || 57 || 38 || 19 || 11.0 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 3
|-
! [[2005 NFL season|2005]] || [[2005 New York Jets season|NYJ]]
| 13 || 38 || 30 || 8 || 2.5 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2006 NFL season|2006]] || [[2006 New York Jets season|NYJ]]
| 16 || 58 || 37 || 21 || 5.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 3
|-
! [[2007 NFL season|2007]] || [[2007 New York Jets season|NYJ]]
| 16 || 49 || 32 || 17 || 5.0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2008 NFL season|2008]] || [[2008 New York Jets season|NYJ]]
| 16 || 60 || 41 || 19 || 8.0 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2009 NFL season|2009]] || [[2009 New York Jets season|NYJ]]
| 15 || 53 || 35 || 18 || 6.5 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2010 NFL season|2010]] || [[2010 New York Jets season|NYJ]]
| 15 || 36 || 26 || 10 || 4.5 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1
|-
! [[2011 NFL season|2011]] || [[2011 New England Patriots season|NE]]
| 14 || 14 || 7 || 7 || 1.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliSh00.htm Career] || 184 || 566 || 389 || 177 || 73.5 || 13 || 5 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 1.0 || 1 || 0 || 16
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{footballstats|pfr=E/ElliSh00}}
* [https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/shaun-ellis/15685 Tennessee Volunteers bio]

{{1998 Tennessee Volunteers football navbox}}
{{2000 NFL Draft}}
{{Jets2000DraftPicks}}
{{JetsFirstPick}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ellis, Shaun}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:American football defensive ends]]
[[Category:New England Patriots players]]
[[Category:New York Jets players]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Anderson, South Carolina]]
[[Category:Players of American football from South Carolina]]
[[Category:Tennessee Volunteers football players]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]