Derrick Shepard (wide receiver)
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| Position: | Wide receiver | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | January 22, 1964 Odessa, Texas, U.S. | ||||||||
| Died: | August 4, 1999 (aged 35) Laramie, Wyoming, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 186 lb (84 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Odessa | ||||||||
| College: | Oklahoma | ||||||||
| Undrafted: | 1987 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||||||
Derrick Lathell Shepard (January 22, 1964 – August 4, 1999) was an American professional
Early years
Shepard attended Odessa High School, where he was a wishbone quarterback. As a senior, he led his team in rushing.
He walked on at the
In 1985, he posted 15 receptions for 281 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a career-long 77-yard touchdown catch against Iowa State University. He was also a part of the national championship team. He finished his career with 70 receptions (tied for second in school history), 1,090 receiving yards (fifth in school history) and 596 punt return yards (fourth in school history).[1]
The school's Derrick Shepard Most Inspirational Walk-On Player of the Year award is named in his honor.[2]
Professional career
Washington Redskins
Shepard was signed as an
He was re-signed in the spring of
New Orleans Saints
On March 7,
Dallas Cowboys
On October 4,
He was cut on September 2, 1990,[6] and was later re-signed on September 5, but a hamstring injury forced him to the injured reserve list on September 8.[7] On November 2, he was activated to be the team's punt returner.
On August 26, 1991, he was released and re-signed on September 10 to return both punts and kickoffs. On October 29, he was placed on the injured reserve list with a sprained right ankle. He was released on August 31, 1992,[8] because the team was looking for more speed from the wide receiver position.[9]
Personal life
After his playing career was over, he became a graduate assistant at the University of Oklahoma, before moving on to University of Wyoming, where he was going to be the wide receivers assistant coach. On August 4, 1999, he died from a sudden heart attack he suffered while playing racquetball.[10]
His son Sterling, along with his older brothers Darrell and Woodie, also played college football at the University of Oklahoma.[11]
References
- ^ "Ex-Sooner Shepard Was Special". Retrieved January 27, 2018.
- ^ "History of Derrick Shepard Most Inspirational Walk-On Player of the Year award". Retrieved January 27, 2018.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved January 27, 2018.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved January 27, 2018.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved January 27, 2018.
- ^ "Weekend Moves". Retrieved January 27, 2018.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved January 27, 2018.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved January 27, 2018.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved January 27, 2018.
- ^ "Derrick Shepard, A UW Assistant Football Coach, Dies From Sudden Heart Attack". Retrieved January 27, 2018.
- ^ "Sterling Shepard to make debut on same field where his late father played". Retrieved January 27, 2018.