It's not often a player drafted by a team gets to spend his entire career in one city with one team. But New York Giants receiver Sterling Shepard will have that opportunity on Sunday. The team is planning a special acknowledgment for their 2016 second-round draft pick, who is likely suiting up in Giants blue--and as an active NFL player--for the final time.
As such, the team is planning to introduce Shepard during the player pre-game introduction with the starters, the last of the introductions, so he can run through the tunnel to the field as he did during the days when he was a starter.
Shepard broke down the team's huddle during Friday's practice, the last of the regular season. The 30-year-old receiver was brought back this season on a one-year deal after appearing in ten games over the prior two seasons.
Shepard endeared himself to the current coaching staff for his positive attitude and willingness to be available to his teammates around the facility and in the classroom while injured. Although he was never voted a team captain, Shepard has always been held in high regard by his peers and coaches.
That said, through 16 games, he's only appeared in 14 percent of the offensive snaps, a career-low for him (not counting the injury-shortened 2021 and 2022 seasons). Some feel the Giants wasted a roster spot on Shepard, who doesn't contribute on special teams, but the coaching staff and front office felt differently in deciding to allow him to finish his career on his terms.
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