Once a Giant, always a Giant.
Receiver Sterling Shepard the longest-tenured team member, sent the New York Giants fan base a heartfelt message of appreciation via his Instagram account Tuesday night, two days after playing in his final game with the only NFL team he's ever known.
"Forever grateful to the New York Giants organization, past and present teammates, and the incredible fan base for their unwavering love and support over the past eight years," Shepard wrote in his post. "New Jersey, my second home, will forever hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for embracing me with open arms and making me feel like family. Once a Giant, always a Giant!"
Shepard was a second-round pick (No. 40 overall) in 2016, brought in to be the successor to Victor Cruz, one of several former Giants present at the Giants regular-season home finale to see the man whose moniker is "Young Shep."
On Sunday, Shepard received a special pre-game introduction in which he got to run through the tunnel as his name was introduced to the roaring crowd, his teammates at the end of the receiving end to offer up high fives.
The 30-year-old, who has never been voted a team captain in his pro career but who was just as much a captain in his own right, was also present for the coin toss at midfield, and he passed tight end Jeremy Shockey for fifth place on the franchise’s all-time receptions list when he hauled in his 372nd career catch.
As he left the field, Shepard did so to a loud ovation from the crowd and his teammates, who greeted him as the final seconds of his Giants career came to a close as the Giants beat the Eagles 27-10.
Afterward, a composed Shepard held court in the postgame locker room as the majority of reporters present gathered around to hear him speak.
“I knew that this was probably going to be my last time being in this jersey,” Shepard said after the win. “I just wanted to take it all in with my brothers and enjoy every moment of it, and that’s exactly what I did.”
Shepard has not decided whether to retire or try to connect with another team. He said one of the things he wanted to do most before his run as a Giant ended was to walk off the field on his own two legs, something he hadn't been able to do the last two seasons because of lower body injuries.
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