The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have reportedly signed free agent wide receiver Sterling Shepard. The report comes via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo and was confirmed by Shepard’s agent.
So what led to this signing? After eight seasons with the New York Giants, what lured Shepard out of retirement? Turns out it was a text message and a little bit of sentimentality.
Via Senior NFL Insider Josina Anderson,
“It’s hard not to smile right now. I wasn’t expecting this. Three days ago Baker texted me asking ‘how does your body feel?’ I said, ‘I feel great. How’s the baby?’ Baker said, ‘The baby is good.’ Then Baker asked me, ‘man, you think you got one more in you?’ I said, ‘it just has to be right with everything I’ve got going on with my family because I’ve already turned down other opportunities. But I’ve been kind of thinking about it when I run outside everyday and lift. Plus, when I golf with Saquon (Barkley) he’s been telling me I need to quit playing around because I still got it.’ Then Baker said, ‘well have your agent reach out because I know they threw your name out around here the other day.’”
Shepard stated to Josina Anderson, “so my agent hit them up. The Bucs wanted me to fly out the next day. Jo, I strapped my cleats on and hit that workout like I’ve been running routes all my life. The rest is history.” Shepard continued, “I’m so happy right now. I get to be with my brother again. Before this, I was in full daddy mode, but we got the contract done and now I’ll get back in Tampa Sunday for mandatory camp on Monday; but me and OBJ are going to get together and train for a couple days too. This is so crazy man, my whole mode just changed 180.”
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Shepard played with Mayfield at Oklahoma Oklahoma in 2015. Shepard caught 86 passes for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns.
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