Sterling Shepard celebrated signing his place in the Giants' record books, only to have that record temporarily revoked.
The third reception he needed on Sunday to beat Jeremy Shockey for fifth place in franchise history (372) was changed to a 6-yard carry in the official box score, so he was subbed into the game late in the fourth quarter. I had to come back and add extra points. Another catch that seemed like a footnote in a 27-10 victory over the Eagles.
“It hasn't been easy, but my career hasn't been easy,” Shepherd said. “So I didn’t expect it to go any other way, but it felt great.”
An explosive route runner when healthy and a responsible and popular teammate, Shepard's eight-year career has been repeatedly derailed by injuries.
The last two seasons were interrupted by a torn Achilles tendon and a torn ACL, so he didn't play much in the final year of his contract.
“I knew this was probably the last time I would wear this jersey,” Shepard said. “I just wanted to embrace it all and enjoy every moment of it with my brothers, and that's exactly what I did.”
When the offense was introduced, Shepard was the last player out of the pregame tunnel.
When he reached 372 points for the first time, his teammates flopped their arms asking for applause from the fans, who responded, and Shepard expressed his gratitude.
He was hugged on the sideline by offensive play caller Mike Kafka and longtime teammate Saquon Barkley.
Shepard's addition to the team's all-time list was announced over the public address system during a break in the game.
“He embodies what it means to be a Giant,” Barkley said. “That's why I know he's loved by the fans and by us. The energy he brings every day, whether we lose or win, I have nothing but tremendous respect for him. I don't think I can speak for the entire locker room.”
Shepard helped the Giants make the playoffs last season as the biggest hype man on the sideline during his rehab and, as quarterback Tyrod Taylor called it, “the heartbeat of the team.”
This made him happy to head coach Brian Daboll, who returned the favor by giving Sheppard his due in the final moments.
“The love that Shep in particular was able to get means a lot to us as players,” Barkley said. “Every time we go out there and step onto that field, we put our lives and bodies at risk.”
Mr Shepherd has not announced his retirement, but his determination to raise his two daughters in the community is a complicating factor. The former second-round draft pick hopes fans remember him as a gamer.
“Even with injuries and being out on the field, I've always tried my best,” Shepard said.
