EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - New York Giants receiver Sterling Shepard remembered the first time he came into the team's facility after being selected in the second round of the 2016 draft, how veterans Victor Cruz and Odell Beckham Jr were there waiting to greet him.
"I was just like, 'Dang. How fast time flies, man,' said the 30-year-old Shepard, who has likely played in his last game as a Giant and perhaps his last game in his eight-year career. "It seems like it was just yesterday me seeing those guys."
Cruz was one of several former teammates on hand to cheer the Giants on and bid a fond farewell to Shepard, who, although never voted a team captain in his time with the team, might as well have been one given how well he was respected by his teammates, coaches and the organization in general.
"Just trying to take it all in," Shepard said after finishing with three receptions on five targets for 18 yards, the three catches moving him past tight end Jeremy Shockey for fifth on the Giants' all-time receptions leaderboard.
"Like I told you guys earlier in the week, I knew this would probably be my last time being in this jersey. I just wanted to take it all in with my brothers. And yeah, enjoy every moment of it. And that's exactly what I did."
For Shepard, who has had to fight through injuries during the latter part of his career, his goal was to leave the game on two feet, something he was able to accomplish this year. That, along with being there for his teammates, was important for him and why he kept going after once having doubts following his torn ACL if he'd ever be able to leave the game on his own terms.
"That is why I play this game, for those guys, you know what I mean?" Shepard said. "That's what ex-players will always come back and tell you. They'll tell you that they miss the guys of being around and the camaraderie, and you know, for guys to be able to compliment me that way is something that, that that's what I strive for. So it means a lot to me. "
As did the opportunities afforded him by head coach Brian Daboll, who kept a roster spot open for Shepard even though the receiver was often passed over for younger teammates like Jalin Hyatt and Wan'Dale Robinson.
"Yeah. I'm just very appreciative of the opportunities that they gave me because they didn't have to do that," Shepard said. "And you know, they believed in me, and I tried to put my best foot forward every day, trying to fight back from those injuries, and thank God I could do that.
"And thank God we have the coaching staff that we have and the ownership that we have. I'm very appreciative of those guys."
While his Giants career has likely ended, Shepard will take time to reflect on his next move, whether he wants to continue playing with another club, move into coaching, or do something entirely different.
"Luckily, I have a lot of opportunities, you know what I mean?" he said. "I'm blessed in that way, so I think (coaching) is an option, and it's something that I'm not closed off to. But yeah, I'm so blessed because, a lot of times, guys may not know where they will go next. And I have a lot of things that I can choose to do, and I am very blessed in that way."
It's all part of a new path that will likely see Shepard retire as a Giant, the only NFL team he's ever played for.
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