What Got Into Sterling Shepard?
December 1st, 2024
Escaped postgame hassle.
[UPDATE 10:16 p.m.] Video has surfaced on social media of a Bucs staffer and a Bucs security member holding back wide receiver Sterling Shepard from going after some Stinking Panthers players.
It was after the Bucs’ win in overtime today at Charlotte. The Bucs were in the bowels of Bank of America Stadium heading to the locker room where Shepard was hollering at Stinking Panthers players and started walking toward them (Joe couldn’t see them from the video).
Shepard, instead of heading to the locker room, did a 180 and started walking toward the voices. It appears the man who physically stopped Shepard is long-time Bucs vice president of player engagement Duke Preston.
This Preston is no pushover. He’s a former Illinois center who had a brief stint with the Bills. He then became a player counselor with Notre Dame before getting his current gig.
Joe has no idea what sparked Shepard’s reaction, but good thing Preston and Bucs security were around to get into Shepard’s path and steer him to the Bucs locker room.
Per FOX Sports Radio Carolina beat writer Sheena Quick, Stinking Panthers safety Sam Franklin was running smack at Bucs outside linebacker Jose Ramirez. which seemed to predicate Shepard’s outburst.
Joe won’t embed the video here because Shepard used adult language, but here’s a direct link.
Man, Rachaad White wasn’t kidding when he said Bucs coaches say Shepard needs supervision.
[UPDATE 10:16 p.m.] It seems Tim Weaver of SI.com has some more, but not a whole lot more, on what took place in this postgame hassle. Though Weaver didn’t have any specifics about what sparked the hassles, it seems Stinking Panthers safety Sam Franklin was incensed enough he tried to charge the entrance to the Bucs locker room.
Video in this link shows Franklin being dragged away from near the Bucs’ locker room entrance.
Weaver also typed that whatever the hollering was about, it was Shepard who tried to get at Franklin for trying to get into the Bucs locker room.
Now Joe has been outside a lot of NFL locker rooms over the year and for any player thinking he could barge into an opponent’s locker room without first getting permission is hilarious because team security and the cops would tackle someone that would make Derrick Brooks smile.
December 1st, 2024 at 9:21 pm
Like the attitude. Like to see Bucs sticking up for Bucs.
December 1st, 2024 at 9:27 pm
There is another video of a panthers player needing to be held back and running his mouth. Piecing the videos together it looks like this was Shepard responding to the panthers player and not really taking him too seriously.
December 1st, 2024 at 9:29 pm
Look at all The kittens fans chirping on the Twitter thread 😂
December 1st, 2024 at 9:38 pm
I see the words “receiver, Preston, and security” and Immediately think of former Bucs wide-out Preston Parker.
December 1st, 2024 at 9:46 pm
#42 from carolina tried to go after jose ramirez too…he attempted to enter the bucs locker room looking to possibly fight…and then shepard came thru the tunnel beefing to carolina…
obviously something went down on the field that most people and cameras missed
December 1st, 2024 at 9:47 pm
should make for an interesting game come december 29th at ray jay
December 1st, 2024 at 9:52 pm
This is a great football mentality to have from the time you leave the tunnel to the time you return to the tunnel.
I used to go absolutely bonkers/ape sh!t on the field when I last played QB/Outside LB from 8years old up until 9th grade.
It’s an adrenaline-fueled game.
December 1st, 2024 at 10:02 pm
If Shep is defending his teammate that is fine by me.
December 1st, 2024 at 10:42 pm
Best play Shep made all day.
December 2nd, 2024 at 2:20 am
Be careful what wish for because down the stretch in these unofficial playoff games that’s leading us to the official playoff game,some player is watching films on Shepard n studying, plotting, planning, n looking for ways to provoke Shepard for a penalty during crunch time. Based on his attitude n coaches not holding him accountable for bonehead penalties, the likelihood of him costing us a game is very high. I’m not against him standing up to defend himself or teammates, just be patience n smart about it.
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:58 am
#42 – Franklin was celebrating when we missed the first OT FG – I was at the game. He was a cheap shot guy all day. Bad player and did a wave goodbye to the crowd and Bucs Bench after the missed FG. He was very salty after we won.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:11 am
That’s too funny, they should have let him in the Buc’s locker room. It would have been fun to watch Franklin get his azz beaten.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:24 am
My opinion on Shep has changed. This guy is a head case and has already cost us on the field with his antics and stupidity. He will eventually pull this crap and cost us a game. Stick with Our free agent who blocks, has good hands, and no mental issues. Ryan Miller!
Go Bucs!
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:30 am
Love the attitude, we need that in the locker room.