When the New York Giants made the playoffs in 2016, there was a general excitement around the team — a belief they had re-arrived and were poised to make another Super Bowl run.
That proved to be a false hope as the Giants were embarrassed in Green Bay in the wildcard game, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. punched a hole in the Lambeau Field wall and co-owner John Mara was forced to confront some of his demons publicly.
A season later, head coach Ben McAdoo was fired, general manager Jerry Reese was sent packing and, on Tuesday night, Beckham was traded to the Cleveland Browns.
In less than three years, that team has been wiped out. And to this day, many blame the infamous “Miami boat picture” as the Giants’ sudden demise — a seemingly harmless photograph of Big Blue players, famous artists (see: Trey Songz) — some of whom they partied with earlier in the day — and a luxurious yacht in Miami Beach.
In an accompanying video to the image, which featured Sterling Shepard, Victor Cruz, Roger Lewis Jr. and Beckham, someone can be heard saying, “I can’t take Adderall.”
Unsurprisingly, courtesy of the New York market, the photo caused a massive uproar leading up to the Packers loss. It became a regular topic of conversation in subsequent years and now, with Beckham gone, Cruz having been released and Lewis having been waived, Shepard has taken over as the sole survivor.
For years many dismissed the photo as little more than a scapegoat, but there’s no denying its consequences. The Giants have gone 8-25 since it was taken and only one man remains.
Shepard’s rookie contract is up after the 2019 season. Will he return?
