TAMPA — Whether he’s racing down a football field or standing on the bed of a dump truck, Russell Shepard is strictly blue collar.
The 24-year-old wide receiver of the Buccaneers seems to excel at the gritty jobs that require dedication and perseverance.
He led Tampa Bay with 14 special teams tackles last season, impressing head coach Lovie Smith with a knack for zeroing in and bringing down punt and kickoff returners. Off the field, Shepard looks forward to returning to his hometown of Houston after the NFL season, helping out his family’s business.
With Shepard’s father serving as field manager and his mother in charge of the books, Shep Boys Trucking is thriving, with five dump trucks hauling material to and from construction sites.