Sterling Shepard Posts Emotional Goodbye to Giants Fans on Instagram
By Cem Yolbulan
It is a sad day for New York Giants fans. The longest-tenured Giant, Sterling Shepard, who has been with the team ever since he was New York's second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, shared a heartfelt farewell to the organization and the fans.
While saying he'll "forever grateful" to the fans and the organization, Shepard confirmed that he has played his final game with the team.
Sterling Shepard's goodbye to Giants has fans in tears
As sad as this news is, it was to be expected. The Week 18 win over the Philadelphia Eagles had the feeling of a final game for Shepard as coach Brian Daboll and the team made sure to involve him in the offense as much as possible. Not only did Shepard get a special introduction, but he also played more snaps than he has over the last year. In fact, he managed to make history in his final appearance.
The three passes he caught on Sunday increased his catch total to 372, moving him into fifth place on the all-time franchise list. It was also the first multiple-catch game he had since September 2022, when he tore his ACL.
Unfortunately, injuries like that greatly affected Shepard's career. An Achilles tear followed by an ACL tear in back-to-back years would take a toll on anyone's body, and unfortunately, it wasn't any different for Shepard. His time with the Giants could have lasted longer if it wasn't for the injuries but considering how seldom he was used this season, this is the only logical next step.
It is still uncertain what the future holds for Shep. Whether he will play for another season, coach, or take a break from football remains to be seen.
Regardless, he will continue to be a beloved figure for the Giants fans. He would certainly be embraced and welcomed if he were to join as a wide receiver coach at some point in the near future. But, we are going to have to wait for that.