Sterling Shepard
{{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Sterling Shepard
| image = Sterling Shepard 2019 (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Shepard in 2019
| current_team = Tampa Bay Buccaneers
| number = 17
| position = Wide receiver
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|2|10}}
| birth_place = Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 196
| high_school = Heritage Hall {{nowrap|(Oklahoma City)}}
| college = Oklahoma (2012–2015)
| draftyear = 2016
| draftround = 2
| draftpick = 40
| pastteams =
- New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2016|2023}})
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2024}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2016)
- First-team All-American (2015)
- 2× First-team All-Big 12 (2014, 2015)
| statweek =
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 404
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 4,429
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 24
| statlabel4 = Rushing yards
| statvalue4 = 255
| statlabel5 = Rushing touchdowns
| statvalue5 = 1
| pfr = ShepSt00
}}
Sterling Clay Shepard (born February 10, 1993) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners. Shepard was selected by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft.
Early life
Shepard was born on February 10, 1993.{{Cite web |title=Sterling Shepard |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/sterlingshepard/2555295/profile |access-date=February 2, 2017 |website=NFL.com |language=en}} Shepard attended Heritage Hall School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he rushed for 1,115 yards and caught 133 passes for 2,335 yards and 38 touchdowns in his high school football career.{{Cite web |last=Feken |first=Nate |date=December 19, 2015 |title=Second Straight State Title Special For Heritage Hall |url=http://kfor.com/2015/12/18/second-straight-state-title-special-for-heritage-hall/ |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=KFOR.com |language=en-US}} As a senior, he carried the ball 28 times for 303 yards and eight touchdowns and caught 73 passes for 1,243 yards and 17 touchdowns. Following his senior season, he was selected to the Under Armour All-American Game. In addition, Shepard competed in basketball and track at Heritage. As a senior in 2011, he placed second in the long jump at the State Meet with a leap of 6.69 meters (21'11.5").{{Cite web |date=May 8, 2011 |title=4A/3A State Track Results |url=https://tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/highschools/4a-3a-state-track-results/article_223cc4ae-18a5-58c6-885e-cbff65cb39c8.html |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=Tulsa World |language=en}}
Shepard was a consensus four-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com, 247sports.com and Scout.com. He committed to the University of Oklahoma to play college football under head coach Bob Stoops.{{Cite web |title=Sterling Shepard, 2012 Wide Receiver |url=https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2012/sterling-shepard-7132 |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=Rivals.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Przybylo |first=Bob |date=February 28, 2011 |title=Heritage Hall's Sterling Shepard commits to Oklahoma |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/2011/02/28/heritage-halls-sterling-shepard-commits-to-oklahoma/62926155007/ |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=Oklahoman.com}}
College career
As a true freshman at the University of Oklahoma in 2012, Shepard played in all 13 games with four starts and had 45 receptions for 621 yards and three touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Hoffman |first=Sam |date=August 1, 2013 |title=Shepard ready to build solid freshman campaign |url=http://www.oudaily.com/sports/shepard-ready-to-build-solid-freshman-campaign/article_2e7ed6ee-a117-51c8-b0cb-ecf4afb6bd2f.html |access-date=July 31, 2019 |website=OUDaily.com}}{{Cite web |title=Sterling Shepard 2012 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/sterling-shepard-1/gamelog/2012/ |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} He made his collegiate debut on September 8, against Florida A&M, and had three receptions for 48 receiving yards.{{Cite web |title=Florida A&M at Oklahoma Box Score, September 8, 2012 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2012-09-08-oklahoma.html |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} In the following game, he had seven receptions for 108 receiving yards and his first collegiate receiving touchdown against Kansas State.{{Cite web |title=Kansas State at Oklahoma Box Score, September 22, 2012 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2012-09-22-oklahoma.html |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} As a sophomore in 2013, he started 12 of 13 games, recording 51 receptions for 603 yards and seven touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Emig |first=Guerin |date=August 26, 2014 |title=Sterling Shepard now front and center |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/homepagelatest/sterling-shepard-now-front-and-center/article_e7282c2b-18e4-5d0d-9c1d-e36874396ebc.html |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=Tulsa World}}{{Cite web |title=Sterling Shepard 2013 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/sterling-shepard-1/gamelog/2013/ |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} On September 14, against Tulsa, he had the best game of his collegiate career to that point with eight receptions for 123 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Tulsa at Oklahoma Box Score, September 14, 2013 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2013-09-14-oklahoma.html |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} In the 2014 Sugar Bowl against Alabama, he had his first collegiate rushing touchdown on a 13-yard play.{{Cite web |title=Sugar Bowl – Oklahoma vs Alabama Box Score, January 2, 2014 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2014-01-02-alabama.html |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Shepard started 12 of 13 games as a junior in 2014. He started off the season very strong with career-highs in receiving yards at first against Tulsa with 177 and 215 later on against TCU.{{Cite web |title=Oklahoma at Tulsa Box Score, September 6, 2014 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2014-09-06-tulsa.html |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Oklahoma at Texas Christian Box Score, October 4, 2014 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2014-10-04-texas-christian.html |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} After recording 49 receptions for 911 yards and five touchdowns through the first seven games of the season, he suffered a groin injury on a reception against Iowa State, which caused him to miss the rest of that game and the next week's game against Baylor and limited him to one reception for 13 yards during the final four games.{{Cite web |title=Sterling Shepard 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/sterling-shepard-1/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=August 10, 2015 |title=Oklahoma receiver Sterling Shepard ready for comeback |url=https://www.si.com/college/2015/08/10/ap-fbc-oklahoma-shepard |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us |agency=Associated Press}}{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Eric |date=December 19, 2014 |title=OU receiver Sterling Shepard patiently rehabs injury, takes it easy at bowl practice |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportshomepage1/ou-receiver-sterling-shepard-patiently-rehabs-injury-takes-it-easy/article_97029d46-e122-547d-ac95-3af99de2b8f0.html |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=Tulsa World}} As a senior in 2015, he played in all 14 games and had 86 receptions for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Sterling Shepard 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/sterling-shepard-1/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} On September 2, against Tennessee, he caught a five-yard touchdown from Baker Mayfield with only 40 seconds remaining to help force overtime. In the second overtime, he caught a game-winning 18-yard pass from Mayfield.{{Cite web |title=Oklahoma at Tennessee Box Score, September 12, 2015 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2015-09-12-tennessee.html |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} For his collegiate career, he had 233 receptions for 3,482 yards and 26 touchdowns.
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | |||||
| rowspan="2"| Season
! rowspan="2"| Team ! rowspan="2"| Conf ! rowspan="2"| Class ! rowspan="2"| Pos ! rowspan="2"| GP ! colspan="4"| Receiving | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 2012 | Oklahoma | Big 12
| FR || WR || 13 || 45 || 621 || 13.8 || 3 | |||
| 2013 | Oklahoma | Big 12
| SO || WR || 12 || 51 || 603 || 11.8 || 7 | |||
| 2014 | Oklahoma | Big 12
| JR || WR || 11 || 51 || 970 || 19.0 || 5 | |||
| 2015 | Oklahoma | Big 12
| SR || WR || 13 || 86 || 1,288 || 15.0 || 11 | |||
| colspan="5"| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/sterling-shepard-1.html Career] | 49 | 233 | 3,482 | 14.9 | 26 |
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 10 1/4
| weight = 194
| dash = 4.48
| ten split = 1.50
| twenty split = 2.60
| shuttle = 4.35
| cone drill = 7.00
| vertical = 41
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 3
| bench = 20
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 30 3/8
| hand span = 9 3/4
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |last=Zierlein |first=Lance |title=Sterling Shepard Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/sterling-shepard/32005348-4549-5754-5697-2a8312edc489 |access-date=January 4, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2016 NFL Draft Scout Sterling Shepard College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=125161&DraftYear=2016 |access-date=January 17, 2024 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
=New York Giants=
==2016==
Shepard was selected by the New York Giants in the second round with the 40th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Salomone |first=Dan |date=April 29, 2016 |title=New York Giants Draft Oklahoma WR Sterling Shepard in second round |url=http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/New-York-Giants-Draft-Oklahoma-WR-Sterling-Shepard-in-second-round/59a52d99-eb57-4885-b818-7ec189f95453 |access-date=July 16, 2016 |website=Giants.com}} He was the fifth wide receiver to be selected that year.{{Cite web |title=2016 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2016/draft.htm |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On May 6, 2016, the Giants signed Shepard to a four-year, $5.94 million contract that includes $3.24 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $2.52 million.{{Cite web |title=Sportrac.com:Sterling Shepard |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-york-giants/sterling-shepard-18989/ |access-date=November 20, 2016 |website=Sportrac.com}}{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=May 6, 2016 |title=Giants sign four draft picks & 14 undrafted free agents |url=http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Giants-sign-four-draft-picks--14-undrafted-free-agents/bce88848-ed81-4d6a-8e99-26f19049be9d |access-date=July 16, 2016 |website=Giants.com |archive-date=August 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803005711/http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Giants-sign-four-draft-picks--14-undrafted-free-agents/bce88848-ed81-4d6a-8e99-26f19049be9d |url-status=dead }}
Going into the regular season, Shepard was named a starting wide receiver, along with Odell Beckham Jr. He started Giants' season opener against the Dallas Cowboys and made three receptions for 43-yards and caught his first career touchdown on a nine-yard pass from Eli Manning, helping the Giants win 20–19.{{Cite web |title=New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys – September 11th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201609110dal.htm |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The following week, Shepard caught a season-high eight passes for 117 receiving yards in a 16–13 victory over the New Orleans Saints.{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at New York Giants – September 18th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201609180nyg.htm |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On September 25, 2016, he caught five passes for 73 yards and caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning during the Giants' first loss of the season to the Washington Redskins.{{Cite web |title=Washington Redskins at New York Giants – September 25th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201609250nyg.htm |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On November 6, 2016, he continued to emerge as a promising receiver after he made three receptions for 50 yards and caught a 23-yard touchdown pass in a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants – November 6th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201611060nyg.htm |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The following game, Shepard caught five passes for 42 receiving yards and a touchdown in a 21–20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.{{Cite web |title=Cincinnati Bengals at New York Giants – November 14th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201611140nyg.htm |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
On November 20, 2016, Shepard had his third game in a row with a touchdown after he finished a 22–16 victory over the Chicago Bears with five catches for 50 yards and a touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears at New York Giants – November 20th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201611200nyg.htm |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In a Week 16 match-up against the Philadelphia Eagles, Shepard made seven catches for 61 yards and a touchdown as the Giants lost 24–19.{{Cite web |title=New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles – December 22nd, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201612220phi.htm |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He finished the season with 65 receptions for 683 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Sterling Shepard 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShepSt00/gamelog/2016/ |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The Giants made the playoffs with an 11–5 record. In his playoff debut, he had four receptions for 63 receiving yards in the 38–13 Wild Card Round loss to the Green Bay Packers.{{Cite web |title=Wild Card – New York Giants at Green Bay Packers – January 8th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201701080gnb.htm |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was named to the Pro Football Writers of America NFL All-Rookie Team following the season.{{Cite web |title=2016 NFL All-Rookie Team |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-2016.htm |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2017==
Shepard started the 2017 season off with nine receptions for 67 receiving yards combined in the first two games against the Cowboys and Detroit Lions.{{Cite web |title=New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys – September 10th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201709100dal.htm |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Detroit Lions at New York Giants – September 18th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201709180nyg.htm |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In the next game, against the Eagles, he had seven receptions for 133 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown, which was a 77-yard reception.{{Cite web |title=New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles – September 24th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201709240phi.htm |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} During the 2017 season, Shepard missed multiple games due to reported issues with migraines.{{Cite news |last=Schwartz |first=Paul |date=November 30, 2017 |title=Returning Sterling Shepard details 'terrible' migraine pain |url=https://nypost.com/2017/11/30/returning-sterling-shepard-details-terrible-migraine-pain/ |access-date=May 20, 2018 |work=New York Post |language=en-US}} During Week 10 against the San Francisco 49ers, Shepard had a career high eleven receptions for 142 receiving yards as the Giants lost 31–21.{{Cite web |title=New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers – November 12th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201711120sfo.htm |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Later that season, in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Shepard tied his career high for receptions, and set a new high for targets, with sixteen. Shepard also caught a touchdown pass, which he did not during Week 10.{{Cite web |title=Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants – December 17th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201712170nyg.htm |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Sterling Shepard Career Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShepSt00/gamelog/ |access-date=October 11, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Overall, he finished the 2017 season with 59 receptions for 731 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Sterling Shepard 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShepSt00/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=May 20, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2018==
File:Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram (32377834448).jpg
In Week 7, against the Atlanta Falcons, Shepard had five receptions for 167 yards.{{Cite web |title=New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons – October 22nd, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201810220atl.htm |access-date=March 13, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Week 10 against the 49ers, Shepard had two catches for nine yards and the game-winning touchdown in the 27–23 win.{{Cite web |title=New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers – November 12th, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201811120sfo.htm |access-date=March 13, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Overall, he finished the 2018 season with 66 receptions for 872 yards and four touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Sterling Shepard 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShepSt00/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=March 13, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2019==
File:Sterling Shepard In 2019.jpg
On April 10, 2019, Shepard signed a four-year, $41 million contract extension with the Giants with $21.3 million guaranteed.{{Cite web |last=Teope |first=Herbie |date=April 10, 2019 |title=Giants finalizing $41M extension with Sterling Shepard |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/giants-finalizing-41m-extension-with-sterling-shepard-0ap3000001025950 |access-date=July 31, 2019 |website=NFL.com}}
In Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Shepard caught seven passes for 100 yards and a touchdown as the Giants won 32–31.{{Cite web |date=September 22, 2019 |title=Jones sparkles in his start, Giants rally past Bucs 32–31 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401127966 |access-date=September 22, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}} In Week 15 against the Miami Dolphins, Shepard caught a season high nine passes for 111 yards in the 36–20 win.{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2019 |title=Manning throws 2 TDs, Barkley scores 2, Giants end long skid |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401128060 |access-date=December 15, 2019 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}} Overall, Shepard finished the 2019 season with 57 receptions for 576 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Sterling Shepard 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShepSt00/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=March 31, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2020==
During Week 2 against the Bears, Shepard left the game in the second quarter with a toe injury and did not return. On September 23, 2020, Shepard was placed on injured reserve with turf toe.{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |title=Giants sign veteran RB Devonta Freeman; Sterling Shepard to IR |url=https://www.giants.com/news/devonta-freeman-running-back-signs-with-giants |access-date=September 23, 2020 |website=www.giants.com}} He was activated on October 22, 2020.{{Cite news |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=October 22, 2020 |title=Sterling Shepard activated off injured reserve among gameday roster moves |url=https://www.giants.com/news/sterling-shepard-activated-week-7-philadelphia-eagles-alex-bachman-trent-harris |access-date=November 5, 2020 |work=Giants.com}}
In Week 17 against the Cowboys, Shepard recorded eight catches for 112 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 24 yards and another touchdown during the 23–19 win.{{Cite web |title=Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants – January 3rd, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202101030nyg.htm |access-date=January 8, 2021 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He finished the 2020 season with 66 receptions for 656 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games.{{Cite web |title=Sterling Shepard 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShepSt00/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2021==
In Week 1, Shepard finished the game with seven receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown in a 27–13 loss to the Denver Broncos.{{Cite web |title=Denver Broncos at New York Giants – September 12th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202109120nyg.htm |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
In Week 15, Shepard suffered a season-ending torn Achilles, in the Giants loss to the Cowboys.{{Cite web |last=Raanan |first=Jordan |date=December 19, 2021 |title=New York Giants' Sterling Shepard suffers season-ending torn Achilles |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32904784/new-york-giants-sterling-shepard-carted-non-contact-leg-injury |access-date=December 20, 2021 |website=ESPN.com}} He was placed on injured reserve the next day.{{Cite web |last=Citak|first=Matt |date=December 20, 2021 |title=Giants place Daniel Jones, Sterling Shepard on injured reserve |url=https://www.giants.com/news/daniel-jones-sterling-shepard--injured-reserve-jaylon-smith-jarren-williams |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=Giants.com}} He finished the 2021 season with 36 receptions for 366 yards and one touchdown in seven games.{{Cite web |title=Sterling Shepard 2021 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShepSt00/gamelog/2021/ |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2022==
In Week 3 against the Cowboys, Shepard tore his left ACL in the fourth quarter during the 16–23 loss.{{Cite web |last=Pereles |first=Zachary |date=September 27, 2022 |title=Giants' Sterling Shepard suffers season-ending torn ACL on final offensive play of loss to Cowboys |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/giants-sterling-shepard-suffers-potential-season-ending-injury-on-final-offensive-play-in-loss-to-cowboys/ |access-date=September 27, 2022 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Benton |first=Dan |date=September 27, 2022 |title=Giants' Sterling Shepard out for season with torn ACL |url=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2022/09/27/new-york-giants-sterling-shepard-out-for-season-with-torn-acl/ |access-date=September 27, 2022 |website=Giants Wire}} He was placed on injured reserve on September 28, 2022, ending his season after three games.{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=September 28, 2022 |title=Update: WR Sterling Shepard suffers torn ACL |url=https://www.giants.com/news/sterling-shepard-injury-update-dallas-cowboys-monday-night-football-week-3-nfl |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=www.giants.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Sterling Shepard 2022 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShepSt00/gamelog/2022/ |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
==2023==
On March 12, 2023, Shepard signed a one-year contract with the Giants.{{Cite web |last=Gordon, Grant |date=March 12, 2023 |title=Giants re-signing WR Sterling Shepard to one-year contract with $1.3 million base salary |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/giants-re-signing-wr-sterling-shepard-to-one-year-contract-with-1-3-million-base |website=NFL.com}} In the 2023 season, he appeared in 15 games and started two. He finished with ten receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown, which came in Week 10 against Dallas.{{Cite web |title=Sterling Shepard 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShepSt00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=January 28, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=Tampa Bay Buccaneers=
== 2024 ==
On June 10, 2024, Shepard signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=June 10, 2024 |title=Bucs Sign Sterling Shepard, Add Veteran Depth to Receiving Corps |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-sign-sterling-shepard-add-veteran-depth-receiving-corps |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=Buccaneers.com |language=en-US}} He was released on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=August 27, 2024 |title=Bucs Cut Down to 53, Place Chase Edmonds, Rakim Jarrett on IR |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-cut-down-53-place-chase-edmonds-rakim-jarrett-ir |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Buccaneers.com}}{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=August 29, 2024 |title=WRs Miller, Shepard, Thompson All Return on Bucs' First Practice Squad of 2024 |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/wrs-miller-shepard-thompson-return-bucs-first-practice-squad-2024 |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Buccaneers.com}} He was promoted to the active roster on October 1.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=October 1, 2024 |title=Bucs Promote WR Shepard and LB Grier, Put LB Dennis on IR |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-promote-shepard-grier-put-dennis-ir |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Buccaneers.com}} He finished the 2024 season with 32 receptions for 334 yards and one touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Sterling Shepard 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShepSt00/gamelog/2024/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
== 2025 ==
On March 24, 2025, Shepard signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract extension with the Buccaneers.{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Scott |title=Source: Sterling Shepard Returning to Bucs |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/source-sterling-shepard-returning-bucs-2025 |website=Buccaneers.com |access-date=25 March 2025}}
NFL career statistics
=Regular season=
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Y/G | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Y/G | TD | Fum | Lost | |
| 2016 | NYG
| 16 || 16 || 65 || 683 || 10.5 || 42.7 || 8 || 3 || 31 || 10.3 || 1.9 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2017 | NYG
| 11 || 10 || 59 || 731 || 12.4 || 66.5 || 2 || 4 || 4 || 1.0 || 0.4 || 0 || 1 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2018 | NYG
| 16 || 16 || 66 || 872 || 13.2 || 54.5 || 4 || 3 || 33 || 11.0 || 2.1 || 0 || 1 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2019 | NYG
| 10 || 10 || 57 || 576 || 10.1 || 57.6 || 3 || 6 || 72 || 12.0 || 7.2 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2020 | NYG
| 12 || 12 || 66 || 656 || 9.9 || 54.7 || 3 || 6 || 49 || 8.2 || 4.1 || 1 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2021 | NYG
| 7 || 6 || 36 || 366 || 10.2 || 52.3 || 1 || 1 || −9 || −9.0 || −1.3 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2022 | NYG
| 3 || 2 || 13 || 154 || 11.8 || 51.3 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2023
!NYG |15 |2 |10 |57 |5.7 |3.8 |1 |1 |6 |6.0 |0.4 |0 |1 |0 | ||||||||||||||
| 2024
!TB |14 |5 |32 |334 |10.4 |23.9 |1 |8 |69 |8.6 |4.9 |0 |0 |0 | ||||||||||||||
| colspan="2" |[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShepSt00.htm Career] | 104 | 79 | 404 | 4,429 | 11.0 | 45.4 | 24 | 32 | 255 | 7.8 | 2.1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
=Postseason=
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Y/G | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Y/G | TD | Fum | Lost | |
| 2016 | NYG
| 1 || 1 || 4 || 63 || 15.8 || 63 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2022 | NYG
| 0 || 0 || colspan="12"| did not play due to injury | |||||||||||||
| colspan="2"|[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ShepSt00/gamelog/post/ Career] | 1 | 1 | 4 | 63 | 15.8 | 63 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Personal life
His father, Derrick Shepard, played at Oklahoma and in the NFL from 1987 to 1991 as a wide receiver. He died when Sterling was six.{{Cite web |last=Aber |first=Ryan |date=November 17, 2014 |title=Oklahoma football: Sterling Shepard has special bond with OU program |url=http://newsok.com/article/5367783 |access-date=March 31, 2020 |website=NewsOK.com}}{{Cite web |last=Nunez |first=Tammy |date=December 28, 2013 |title=Oklahoma's Sterling Shepard has fatherly connection to the New Orleans Saints; Sooners Sugar Bowl notebook |url=http://www.nola.com/sugarbowl/index.ssf/2013/12/oklahomas_sterling_shepard_has.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101061810/https://www.nola.com/sugarbowl/index.ssf/2013/12/oklahomas_sterling_shepard_has.html |archive-date=January 1, 2014 |website=NOLA.com}}{{Cite web |last=Kersey |first=Jason |date=September 7, 2012 |title=Oklahoma football: Sterling Shepard to make debut on same field where his late father played |url=http://newsok.com/article/3707832 |access-date=March 31, 2020 |website=NewsOK.com}} His uncles, Darrell (1980–81) and Woodie (1975–79), also played at Oklahoma.{{Cite web |last=Carlson |first=Jenni |date=January 30, 2012 |title=Oklahoma football: Poised to carry on the Shepard Sooner lineage |url=http://newsok.com/article/3644772 |access-date=March 31, 2020 |website=NewsOK.com}}
Shepard married model Chanel Iman on March 3, 2018. On August 10, 2018, their first child, Cali Clay Shepard, was born.{{Cite news |last=Mizoguchi |first=Karen |date=August 12, 2018 |title=Little Angel! Chanel Iman and NFL Husband Sterling Shepard Welcome Daughter Cali Clay |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/little-angel-chanel-iman-nfl-011512227.html |access-date=October 11, 2018 |work=PEOPLE.com |language=en}} On December 17, 2019, they welcomed their second daughter, Cassie Snow Shepard. In January 2022, Shepard and Iman announced that they would be getting divorced.{{Cite web |last=Akoulitchev |first=Octavia |last2=Merrett |first2=Robyn |date=December 17, 2019 |title=Chanel Iman and Sterling Shepard Welcome Daughter Cassie Snow — and She Already Has Instagram! |url=https://people.com/parents/chanel-iman-sterling-shepard-welcome-baby-number-2-daughter-cassie-snow/ |access-date=March 31, 2020 |website=PEOPLE.com |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category}}
{{footballstats|pfr=S/ShepSt00|yahoo=29274|espn=2976592|nfl=sterling-shepard}}
- [https://www.buccaneers.com/team/players-roster/sterling-shepard/ Tampa Bay Buccaneers bio]
- [http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=208409619 Oklahoma Sooners bio]
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{{Disney Sports Spirit Award}}
{{Giants2016DraftPicks}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Shepard, Sterling}}
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:New York Giants players
Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players
Category:Oklahoma Sooners football players
Category:Players of American football from Oklahoma City