Former NFL tight end Jeremy Shockey has addressed the controversial end to his tenure with the New York Giants, stating that a staph infection, not jealousy, led to his absence from post-Super Bowl celebrations and subsequent trade.
Shockey, who was a key player for the Giants during their Super Bowl XLII-winning season in 2007-2008, missed the championship game due to a broken leg. He subsequently skipped the team's ring ceremony and parade, fueling speculation that he was resentful of his teammates receiving accolades.
"That’s bulls–t, that’s all bull-s–t, trust me," Shockey said in a rare interview on the "Club Shay Shay" podcast with Shannon Sharpe. He explained that his absence was a decision made by the Giants' staff for health reasons, as he was dealing with a staph infection. "If I couldn’t get the staff infection cleared up, they’re not going to let me be around these players. Someone else might get it or something."
Shockey claimed he requested a trade to avoid becoming a distraction for the team in the following season. "I’d rather start over, with a blank canvas and move on," he stated.
Shockey was traded to the New Orleans Saints in 2008 in exchange for a second-round and a fifth-round draft pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. His six-year stint with the Giants began after they selected him 14th overall in the 2002 draft. During his time in New York, he recorded 371 receptions for 4,228 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns.
After leaving the Giants, Shockey played three productive seasons with the Saints before retiring as a member of the Carolina Panthers in 2011. He indicated that he now prefers a less public life, enjoying travel and other activities away from the spotlight.