Sean Lee Sean Patrick Lee ( born July 22 , 1986 ) is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys . He played college football at Penn State . Early life . He is the son of Craig Lee and Geralyn Lee of Upper St . Clair , Pennsylvania . Lee ' s older brother Connor was the placekicker for the University of Pittsburgh and his sister Alexandra was a student athlete at Upper St . Clair High School . Sean is also a grandson of Federal Judge Donald J . Lee of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania . High School . Lee was a multi - sport star at Upper St . Clair High School outside Pittsburgh , he was a three - year starter at point guard in basketball , averaging 21 . 2 points , 9 . 1 rebounds and 3 . 2 assists as a senior , and winning a district title . In football , Lee rushed for 1 , 240 yards and 21 touchdowns while registering 95 tackles and four picks as a safety for an 11 - 1 squad his senior year . College career . A 2005 graduate of Upper St . Clair High School in Upper St . Clair Township , Pennsylvania . Lee went on to play college football at Penn State . Heading into 2008 , Lee was a starting outside linebacker for coach Joe Paterno ' s Nittany Lions for two consecutive seasons . In his junior year he was 2nd team all Big Ten , finishing second on the team in tackles with 138 . He had a season high 17 tackles versus Illinois , and registered more than 10 tackles in all but three games . He also had two interceptions and three forced fumbles on the season . In April 2008 , Lee tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a non - contact drill at spring practice . Despite being forced to take a medical redshirt for the 2008 season , Lee ' s teammates elected him a team captain that season . While rehabbing , he opted to serve as an undergraduate assistant coach , participating in every practice and wearing a headset on the sidelines during games that season . Lee was again elected team captain by his teammates prior to the 2009 season . Professional career . Pre - draft . Prior to the draft , draft analyst Mike Mayock was quoted saying " I wouldn ' t be surprised if he snuck in late in the first round . If he doesn ' t , I think he ' s going to go in the front half of the second round . He ' s too good . " Dallas Cowboys . 2010 . Lee was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 55th overall selection in the 2010 NFL Draft . After the draft , Wade Phillips said that he thought Lee could play both inside linebacker positions ( " Mike " & " Mo " ) in the Cowboys 3 – 4 defense . Lee was bothered by nagging injuries in training camp , in doing so failed to see a lot of action on the field . He did earn NFC Defensive Player of the Week and Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week honors for his December 5 , 2010 , performance versus Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts , in which he recorded the first two interceptions of his pro career — including one he returned for a touchdown , and one in overtime to set up the game - winning field goal . 2011 . Promoted to starting inside linebacker in 2011 , Lee thrived immediately in new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan ’ s scheme . In the opening game versus the New York Jets , Lee intercepted Mark Sanchez to earn his 3rd interception of his career . His key interception of Rex Grossman and fumble recovery in the final minute of the Cowboys ’ Monday Night Football game with versus the Washington Redskins were crucial in the 18 - 16 comeback . By week three , Lee had a team - leading 36 tackles , 2 interceptions , 2 fumble recoveries , a tackle for a loss , and three pass breakups , earning him NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors . He was the first Cowboys player in franchise history to win the award . In the 7th game of the 2011 season against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Field , Lee suffered a dislocated left wrist in the first quarter when he hit his hand against Michael Vick ' s helmet , but opted against having season ending surgery . After 7 games , Lee lead the team in total tackles with 51 , 15 more tackles than the next leading tackler , Gerald Sensabaugh with 36 total tackles . Lee also ranked first on the team with 3 interceptions , the only player on the team through the first seven games with more than one interception . On the eighth game of the season , Sean Lee was inactive due to the wrist injury sustained the previous week . Lee ended up having a break out season , becoming one of the defense leaders by calling all the plays , leading the team with 131 tackles and tying for the team lead in interceptions ( four ) and tackles for loss ( eight ) . He also became only the second linebacker to have ever intercepted both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning . 2012 . Sean Lee ' s season opener started strong . He ended the game against New York Giants with 10 tackles , 2 assists and a forced fumble on David Wilson . He registered 14 tackles against the Seattle Seahawks in the second game of the season , tying him with Lee Roy Jordan for the 41 - year old team record for most tackles in a game . Jordan did it on September 26 , 1971 against the Philadelphia Eagles . Against the Carolina Panthers , Lee injured his right big toe , and was placed on injured reserve .