Simon Shanks (October 16, 1971 – January 5, 2006) was a National Football League player for the Arizona Cardinals in 1995. An alumnus of Tennessee State University, he played linebacker in his sole professional season, leading the Cardinals defense with 27 tackles. Shanks was killed in a robbery at his home in Phoenix on January 5, 2006. Three men approached Simon and his friend in his garage working out. His wife was locked in the bathroom of the house while the men beat Simon and his friend. They were both shot, with Simon being shot fatally. His other friend was shot in the neck, surviving. [1]