Q: Are you disappointed with the hand you've been dealt so far in your career?
A: No. In life, there are seasons, and I've learned to only control what I can control. I just feel that maybe my career had run its course in Philly, basically. There's no bad blood. Some things you don't agree with, but you just accept and move on. I don't want a Shawn vs. the Eagles thing going on.
Q: You said on Friday that you did not fail a physical in March, what's up with that?
A: I didn't fail a physical.
Q: But they said you did?
A: Yes. I was very shocked. As a matter of fact, I didn't even have a physical.
Q: What happened in March then?
A: I was out in Clover City, Calif. rehabbing, and I guess they got tired of me and let me go. I didn't have a physical that was pass or fail. I just had surgery in December, and Dr. Watkins told me it was going to be a six month or maybe more rehab process. I just started doing therapy, after I had a little setback, in the middle of February. From the start of therapy until the time I was released, I didn't really have a chance to get into the therapy and see.
Q: Did you know you were going to be released?
A: I did receive a phone call. Right away it was out though, like boom.
Q: Do you remember who called you?
A: Yes, I remember who called me. I don't want to get into specifics of who called me, but I received a call. They asked 'How are things in California' and 'Are you cool', and then they were like 'Good, because you're staying out there now.' They didn't say that but they said they were going to release me, and we're going to let the media know. It happened like that, it was fast.
Q: What was it like for you between now and then?
A: See the thing about me is that I prepare myself from day one, no matter which way it goes. You never know, you are always one play away from your career being over or whatever the case. Even more so since 2008, I prepared myself, especially after hurting my back the first time. I didn't know what the process was because it was the first time I had to go for back surgery. I was just prepared either way, but I put my all into coming back. If I get back, that's great, but if I don't make it back, that's a part of my life.
Q: Are you eager to see how you feel when you get out there?
A: Yes. I am. I'm excited. I just think back to how I felt after my first surgery and my second surgery. Getting up with a reservoir in my back draining blood, and just that whole feeling. I don't want to go through that again but I'm here for a reason. I'm a competitor. The fact that people are telling me that I don't want to play football anymore, and that I don't have a love for the game, that speaks for itself. Being back speaks for itself. My all out last shot at it, I hope it works. I hope I have six or seven more years, being realistic. We'll see.
Q: When you get out to practice, have they told you where you will see time?
A: I'll be on the left guard, left tackle side, working both of those positions.
Q: Do you think you'll play on Saturday?
A: There is a chance that I could. I just have to get the plays and the terminology down. Hopefully, I can be out there and show them what I'm worth.
Q: Is the left side your more comfortable side?
A: Actually, I am pretty comfortable. I played right tackle my whole college career, and I played right guard my whole career in Philly. Being on the left side, I don't know if it has anything to do with being left handed, but it feels more natural.
Q: What do you expect from yourself coming out here?
A: I expect the hard work that I've put in out in LA, just for everything to show itself. The hard work that I've put in with my therapist, Heather Milligan, and to stay healthy. That's the big key. I have to decipher between what is football soreness versus if there is an issue with the back. I feel like I have a pretty high pain tolerance, so you'll see.
Q: Does it bother that people doubted your desire to play?
A: You're Ashley Fox, from Philly right? My friend sent me the story that pretty much everybody… It's funny, because even the people that I develop pretty good relationships with in the media in Philly, they're like 'Oh, Shawn's a g-man now so let's ride the wave of "He didn't want to play" or "he stole money." How did I steal money from the Eagles organization? It's not like I had a gun to their heads and said 'Hey, keep me here', you know. I had a back injury, I had depression. Those are things from the past. Everybody has trials in life, and all the people that point fingers, they have something going on as well. I just pray for them. That's what I do.
