In addition to his plans to step into the wrestling ring, former Chargers and Bills linebacker Shawne Merriman is picking a fight with another opponent: Nike.
Merriman has sued Nike for trademark infringement and unfair competition over its Lights Out apparel line, the Associated Press reports.
During his playing days, Merriman went by the nickname “Lights Out,” and his company, Lights Out Holdings LLC, says Nike violated its trademark. According to the suit, Nike and Merriman negotiated about creating a Lights Out apparel line in 2006 or 2007, but when they couldn’t come to terms, Nike used the Lights Out name anyway.
Merriman wants Nike to pay him damages and to be prevented from selling Lights Out gear in the future.
The 29-year-old Merriman was one of the brightest young stars in the league from 2005 to 2007, but knee injuries held him to just 22 games over the next five years before he called it quits.