Edell Shepherd

Edell Eugene Shepherd (born May 18, 1980) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played college football for the San José State Spartans.

Shepherd was also a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans and Detroit Lions.

Early life Growing up in the South Central region of his birthplace Los Angeles, California, Shepherd attended Susan Miller Dorsey High School in Los Angeles, and was a letterman in football, track and field, and tennis. In football, as a senior, he made 39 receptions for 635 yards (16.28 yards per reception avg.) and five touchdowns. Edell Shepherd graduated from Dorsey High School in 1999.

College career Shepherd attended West Los Angeles College for two years. As a sophomore, he won JC All-American honors. In his senior season (2001) with the Spartans, Shepherd set records for single-game receiving yardage, single-season touchdowns (17), and most touchdown receptions in a game. He had more receptions than four Biletnikoff Award candidates. He was a second-team All-Western Athletic Conference selection in 2001. Making his NFL debut on December 7, Shepherd played two games for the Buccaneers in 2003. On December 28, in the season finale, Shepherd made 4 receptions for 38 yards.

After spending 2004 on the disabled list, Shepherd played in all regular season games in 2005.

In the Buccaneers' 17–10 loss on January 7, 2006, to the Washington Redskins in the wild card round of the 2005 postseason, Shepherd dropped a 35-yard pass with fewer than 3 minutes left in the game on 3rd down and 10. Video replay showed that Shepherd lost control of the ball before he landed on the ground; otherwise his catch and following extra point would have tied the game.

Houston Texans (2006) Signing with the Houston Texans on September 3, 2006, Shepherd played seven games for Houston in 2006 and made 3 receptions for 22 yards.

Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos (2007–2008) He spent 2007 out of the league after being released by Detroit.

On July 26, 2008, Shepherd was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a torn ACL.