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The Tampa Tribune, published 14 November 2005
The touchdown ball was safely stuffed inside Edell Shepherd's locker stall. He'll bring it to his house, maybe send it home to family in Los Angeles.
"That football will mean something to me for the rest of my life," Shepherd said.
It meant the world to fans at Raymond James Stadium, too. Shepherd, the sparingly used third-year wide receiver who came into Sunday's game with just six career receptions, made a stunning 30-yard touchdown grab with 58 seconds remaining, putting the Bucs in position to steal a 36-35 win with a 2-point conversion against the Washington Redskins.
Shepherd's play happened so quickly. Yet it was years in the making. "My journey? You want to talk about my journey?" Shepherd said. "You want to sit down for an hour or so?"
There's plenty to tell. Actually, it has been the same story, day after day, week after week. Watching, waiting and hoping for an opportunity. He was the rage of 2004 training camp, then broke his foot. He continually turned heads in practice, but just as continually, found himself buried on the depth chart. With Michael Clayton inactive for Sunday's game, Shepherd got his opening.
"Shep played big for us," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "I have been saying to everybody all along that he is a bright prospect. The [touchdown] catch he made? Unbelievable."
It was the first real chance Shepherd had to sparkle. "I've tried not to make it a negative thing, where I've been on the sidelines, pretty mad and down on myself," Shepherd said. "The fighter in me wants to get on that field and contribute. Every week was just another frustrating moment. It has been a long road to get here, but it happened tonight and I love everything about it."
Shepherd had three receptions for 87 yards, including a 46-yarder that set up the touchdown that tied it at 28. Afterward, the talk was about how quarterback Chris Simms had come of age. The same can be said of Shepherd. "I've been very aware of what Edell can do," Simms said. "[Sunday], he showed everybody."
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