Sterling Shepard was an NFL all-rookie wide receiver in 2016, and his New York Giants made the playoffs. The 2017 season has been different, to say the least. The Giants have only mustered two wins, and Shepard has missed four of 13 games due to injuries. The quarterback position was put in flux and head coach Ben McAdoo was fired last week
But the 2017 season will have one memory that will last a lifetime. Shepard, 24, proposed to his girlfriend, supermodel Chanel Iman, in Week 13 on Dec. 1 -- her 27th birthday.
"It was actually in Jersey, at our spot that we've been living in since the summer, our first place together," Shepard says. "We have like a little venue room that we did it in, and I had it all set up for her."
Shepard also had family and friends waiting for a birthday/engagement party right after the surprise. Social media would suggest the operation ran smoothly, but one of Shepard's fellow wide receivers -- Odell Beckham Jr. -- almost messed things up.
"I made sure to let all my teammates know that it was coming," Shepard says. "I went over to Odell's house...He was the last one that I told, but he was the main one that I wanted to see what he was going to say. He was just like, 'Man, I'm proud of you, brother. It's a huge step to take and I'm proud of you, but I'm not doing it any time soon though.'
"He didn't try to stop me or anything."
But Beckham nearly blew the surprise.
"Odell almost ruined the birthday party," Shepard says.
"Well, the birthday party ... almost," Iman jumps in. "But, I just didn't hear anything. You know, because we were on the phone.
"I was in the Bahamas before, and he took the phone from Sterling while we were on FaceTime and he said, 'We'll see you on Friday for your birthday.' But I had no idea it was a surprise birthday, so he really didn't ruin anything."
Imagine the sweat dripping down Shepard's face as Beckham -- on FaceTime -- almost ruined the birthday party Shepard planned as a celebration for his fiancée after their engagement. Luckily, it all worked out and Iman "had no idea" a proposal was coming.
Also, that ring looks pretty sweet:
Awww, the engaged couple. @chaneliman @sterl_shep3 pic.twitter.com/VCA0fg4Hu7
— ThePostGame (@ThePostGame) December 13, 2017
Shepard and Iman spoke to ThePostGame as they appeared together Tuesday night in New York City at Lids in Macy's Herald Square, on behalf of New Era Cap. Fans who stopped by could pick up a signed photo of the newly-engaged couple.
Pretty unique giveaway for fans who stopped by the @lids in @Macys (in Herald Square) Tuesday night: @sterl_shep3 and @chaneliman, who got engaged two weeks ago, were taking pictures with fans and handing out dual-signed photos (on behalf of @NewEraCap). #GiantsPride pic.twitter.com/N85MaaJvsm
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) December 13, 2017
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