Jabaal Sheard is a former American football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. He was born on May 10, 1989, in Hollywood, Florida, and attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers.
Sheard was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played for the Browns for two seasons, from 2011 to 2012, and was a starter in both seasons. In his rookie year, he recorded 8.5 sacks, which was the second-highest total among all rookies in the league. He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team for his performance.
In 2013, Sheard signed with the New England Patriots as a free agent. He played for the Patriots for two seasons, from 2013 to 2014, and was a key member of the team's defense. In his first season with the Patriots, he recorded 5.5 sacks and helped the team win Super Bowl XLIX.
After his stint with the Patriots, Sheard signed with the Indianapolis Colts in 2017. He played for the Colts for three seasons, from 2017 to 2019, and was a starter in all three seasons. In his first season with the Colts, he recorded 5.5 sacks and was named the team's Defensive Player of the Year. He continued to be a productive player for the Colts in the following seasons, recording 5.0 sacks in 2018 and 4.5 sacks in 2019.
In 2020, Sheard signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars but was released before the start of the season. He then signed with the Buffalo Bills and played for them for the remainder of the season. He recorded 4.0 sacks and helped the Bills reach the AFC Championship Game.
Overall, Sheard had a successful career in the NFL, recording 58.5 sacks, 394 tackles, and 14 forced fumbles. He was known for his versatility and ability to play both defensive end and outside linebacker. He was also a durable player, missing only 12 games in his ten-year career.
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