Sterling Shepard is an American professional football player who plays as a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Here's an overview of his background:
Early Life and College Career
Full Name: Sterling Clay Shepard
Date of Birth: February 10, 1993
Hometown: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
High School: Heritage Hall School (Oklahoma City)
At Heritage Hall, Shepard excelled in football, amassing over 1,200 receiving yards and scoring 18 touchdowns during his senior year. He was also active in basketball and track.
College: University of Oklahoma (2012–2015)
Shepard was a standout wide receiver for the Oklahoma Sooners, where he played for four seasons.
In his senior year (2015), he caught 86 passes for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning him First-Team All-Big 12 honors.
NFL Career
Drafted: Shepard was selected by the New York Giants in the 2nd round (40th overall pick) of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Team: New York Giants (2016–present)
Shepard made an immediate impact as a rookie, recording 65 receptions for 683 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2016.
Throughout his career, he has been known for his reliability, versatility, and ability to make difficult catches.
Injuries have hindered his career at times, including an ACL tear in 2022 and other setbacks. Despite this, he has remained a key player and a fan favorite in New York.
Playing Style
Shepard is a skilled route runner with excellent hands and agility. He typically operates as a slot receiver but has the ability to play outside as well.
Personal Life
Family:
Shepard's father, Derrick Shepard, was also a standout wide receiver at Oklahoma and played briefly in the NFL before his untimely death in 1999.
Sterling has spoken about how his father inspired his love for football.
Spouse: Shepard was married to model Chanel Iman from 2018 to 2023, and the couple has two daughters, Cali and Cassie.
Off the Field
Shepard is known for his involvement in community work, particularly with causes related to education and youth sports.
Despite injury challenges, Shepard has shown resilience and continues to contribute to the Giants while being a respected leader in the locker room.
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