Shag Sheard

Shag Sheard

Personal information
Born:	(1898-11-17)November 17, 1898 Canton, New York, U.S.
Died:	November 11, 1980(1980-11-11) (aged 81) Canton, New York, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	177 lb (80 kg)
Career information
High school:	Canton (NY)
College:	St. Lawrence
Position:	Halfback, quarterback
Career history
Rochester Jeffersons (1923–1925) Rochester Oxfords (1926–1931) Rochester Russers (1932–1933)

Alfred Scotchard "Shag" Sheard (November 17, 1898 – November 11, 1980) was an American football player and coach.

Early years

Sheard was born in 1898 in Canton, New York. He attended Canton High School and St. Lawrence University, also located in Canton. He played college football for the St. Lawrence Saints football team in 1919 and 1920.^[1] As a freshman in 1919, he established himself as the team's star quarterback with his long runs (including a 60-yard touchdown run against the University of Rochester), dashes around the ends, forward passes, long punts, and tackling.^[2][3] As a sophomore in 1920, he moved to the left halfback position where he continued to excel as a triple-threat man.^[4][5][6] Sheard's college career ended after his sophomore season when a University of Rochester coach recognized Sheard playing professional football for the 1922 Frankford Yellow Jackets.^[7]

Professional football

In October 1921, Sheard reportedly joined the Rochester Jeffersons of the National Football League (NFL),^[8] but no statistical information is recorded regarding his role on the 1921 team.^[1] According to available records, Sheard played three seasons from 1923 to 1925 at left halfback and quarterback for Jeffersons. He appeared in 18 NFL games, all of them as a starter.^[1][9] He continued to be a versatile contributor. In 1924, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported: "Sheard ran back punts as only Sheard can, and had his teammates on the receiving end of several of his passes handled the ball cleanly."^[10]

The Jeffersons disbanded after the 1925 season. In 1926, Sheard joined the Rochester Oxfords football team as both player and coach.^[11] He was the Oxfords' coach and "triple threat" star from 1926 to 1931.^[12]

In 1932, he left the Oxfords and became coach of the rival Rochester Russers.^[13][14] He continued as coach of the Russers in 1933.^[15] After leading the Oxfords to multiple Western New York football championships, he did the same for the Russers.^[16]

Later years

Sheard later served as the head football coach at his alma mater, St. Lawrence, for one season, in 1942.

References

1. "Al Sheard". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
2. "St. Lawrence Shows Unexpected Strength and Defeats Varsity in Opening Football Game, 6-3: Sheard Hero of Scarlet Victory". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. October 12, 1919. p. 47 – via Newspapers.com.
3. "St. Lawrence Outspeeds U.B., Due to "Shag" Sheard". Buffalo Courier. October 19, 1919. p. Sports 1 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "St. Lawrence Eleven Upsets Rochester in Hard-Fought Game, Winning by 24 to 17: Sheard's Brilliant Playing and Varied Attack of Larries Baffle Yellow". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. October 10, 1920. p. 46 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Could Not Be Stoppe: Victory of Saint Lawrence was featured by playing of Sheard". The Buffalo Express. November 8, 1920. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Sheard Scores All Points As St. Lawrence Wins". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. November 7, 1920. p. 53 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Sheard, Daughter Plan College Days Together". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. April 3, 1938. p. 35 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Shag Sheard and Lou Usher With Rochester". Buffalo Evening News. October 21, 1921. p. 30 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Shag Sheard". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
10. "Columbus Wins Over Strengthened Rochester Eleven". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. October 13, 1924. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
11. ""Shag" Sheard New Coach for Oxford Eleven: Former St. Lawrence Star Replaces Farrell as Grid Mentor". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. September 15, 1926. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "'Sheard to Patton' Scores Two Touchdowns for Oxfords Win". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. October 31, 1927. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
13. "Sheard Will Coach Russer Grid Outfit". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. September 14, 1932. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Sheard Who Won Six Crowns For Oxfords Will Try Luck Against Old Mates Sunday". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. October 27, 1932. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
15. "Coaching City Championship Elevens a Habit with Sheard". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. November 18, 1933. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
16. "Shag Sheard New Coach of Siller Team". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. September 13, 1934. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.