Happy Birthday to Sam Shields!
Packers cornerback Sam Shields celebrates his birthday on December 8th. See photos and facts from his career. Photos by Jim Biever and Matt Becker, Packers.com.
Shields has established himself as one of the Packers' top cover men and was cemented as part of the team's core, having received a long-term contract extension in March 2014.
Shields had his finest statistical season in 2013, setting new career highs for starts (14), tackles (64), solo tackles (57) and passes defensed (a team-high 25), and tied his previous career best with four INTs.
Shields entered the NFL as a non-drafted free agent and earned the nickel cornerback job in 2010 as a rookie despite playing defense for just one season in college. Shields played primarily wide receiver and special teams his first three seasons at Miami.
Shields was one of the club's top performers during the 2012 postseason, recording interceptions in both the 2012 NFC Wild Card and Divisional games (including one he returned for a TD), and his career total of four INTs is now tied for the most in franchise playoff history.
In 2010, Shields matched his regular-season total with two interceptions in the NFC Championship at Chicago, becoming just the fifth player in franchise history to record two interceptions in a playoff game.
Shields was born in Sarasota, Fla., and attended the University of Miami.
Shields was honored with Miami's Most Improved Player award as a senior and was voted the team's Special Teams Player of the Year as a junior after bursting on the scene as a collegian with the most pass receptions by a Hurricane freshman since WR Reggie Wayne nine years prior.
Shields lists Michael Jordan as his favorite athlete and House of Payne as his favorite TV show.
