Giants receiver Sterling Shepard bid fans a fond farewell and thanked them for their support over the years in a heartfelt Instagram post on Tuesday.
Shepard, who has spent all eight years of his NFL career with the Giants, just finished his last year under contract.
“Forever grateful to the New York Giants organization, past and present teammates, and the incredible fan base for their unwavering love and support over the past 8 years,” Shepard wrote in his post.
“New Jersey, my second home, will forever hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for embracing me with open arms and making me feel like family. Once a Giant, always a Giant!”
Sunday marked the likely final game of the 30-year-old’s time with the Giants, though he has not announced any retirement.
The team gave fans the chance to say goodbye and gave the veteran a proper sendoff during Week 18’s rout of the rival Eagles at MetLife Stadium.
Shepard, who was taken 40th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, was introduced last during pregame introductions, and he was on the field for the coin toss.
During the game, he also passed Jeremy Shockey on the franchise’s all-time receptions list with 372, which now ranks fifth in Giants history.
He was given another loud ovation from the crowd.
“I knew that this was probably going to be my last time being in this jersey,” Shepard said after the win. “I just wanted to take it all in with my brothers and enjoy every moment of it, and that’s exactly what I did.”
Shepard played little this season, and his time was cut short the previous two years due to a torn Achilles and ACL.
If Sunday was indeed Shepard’s final time playing for the Giants, he ended with 4,095 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns over the last eight seasons.