Neal J. Sterling (born January 14, 1992) is a former

American football American football (referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada), also known as gridiron, is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end. The offense, the team with ...

tight end The tight end (TE) is a position in American football, arena football, and Canadian football, on the offense. The tight end is often a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like ...

who played in the

National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league that consists of 32 teams, divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The NFL is one of the ...

(NFL) for four seasons. He played college football at

Monmouth Monmouth ( , ; cy, Trefynwy meaning "town on the Monnow") is a town and community in Wales. It is situated where the River Monnow joins the River Wye, from the Wales–England border. Monmouth is northeast of Cardiff, and west of London. I ...

and was selected by the

Jacksonville Jaguars The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) South division. The team play ...

in the seventh round of the

2015 NFL Draft The 2015 NFL Draft was the 80th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible football players. It took place in Chicago at the Auditorium Theatre and in Grant Park, from April 30 to May 2. The previous ...

, where he spent his first two seasons. During his final two seasons, he was a member of the

New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Jets compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The J ...

Early years

Sterling attended Belmar Elementary School (Belmar, New Jersey) and

Manasquan High School Manasquan High School is a four-year comprehensive community public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grade from Manasquan, in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States, operating as the lone high school of the Manas ...

(in

Manasquan, New Jersey Manasquan (, ) is a borough in Monmouth County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, on the Jersey Shore. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 5,938, an increase of 41 (+.7%) from the 2010 census count of 5,897, which ...

), where he played both basketball and football. Sterling was a two-time NJSIAA Group II Central Jersey State Champion his junior and senior year at Manasquan High School under coach Pete Cahill. In his senior year, the Warriors posted a 9-3 record where Sterling led the team in offense with 40 catches for 700 yards with 8 touchdowns. He also contributed on defense at safety, where he recorded 50 tackles and one interception. After receiving multiple scholarships for both sports, he opted for a full football scholarship offer from

Monmouth University Monmouth University is a private university in West Long Branch, New Jersey. Founded in 1933 as Monmouth Junior College, it became Monmouth College in 1956 and Monmouth University in 1995 after receiving its charter. There are about 4,400 full- ...

West Long Branch, New Jersey West Long Branch is a borough in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 8,097,wide receiver at

. He did not see time his freshman year, ultimately redshirting. In his redshirt freshman year, Sterling started all 11 of Monmouth's games where he recorded 57 receptions for 677 yards and five touchdowns. After leading the team in receptions and receiving yards, Sterling was named Northeast Conference Offensive Rookie of the Year and was a finalist for the

Jerry Rice Award The Jerry Rice Award is awarded annually in the United States to the most outstanding freshman player in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) of college football as chosen by a nationwide panel of media and college sports inf ...

, given to the nation's top freshman in the FCS. During his sophomore campaign, Sterling recorded 33 receptions, 386 receiving yards, and five touchdowns while playing in all 10 games. His 33 catches were third on the team and the 386 receiving yards were second. In his junior year, Sterling played in all 12 of his games where he recorded 57 catches, 647 receiving yards, and six touchdowns which all led the team. The following year, Sterling had his best season. He again led the team in the three major receiving categories where he got 55 receptions, 905 receiving yards, and six touchdowns.

Professional career

Jacksonville Jaguars

Sterling was drafted by the

in the seventh round with the 220th overall pick of the

. He was waived by the team on September 4, 2015 and was signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on October 20, 2015. In 2016, Sterling converted to the tight end position. He played in 10 games with one start during the 2016 season, recording 12 catches for 110 yards. On September 3, 2017, Sterling was waived by the Jaguars.

New York Jets

On September 6, 2017, Sterling was signed by the

. He was released by the team on October 5, 2017.

Kansas City Chiefs

On October 7, 2017, Sterling was signed to the

Kansas City Chiefs The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) West division. The tea ...

' practice squad.

New York Jets (second stint)

On October 25, 2017, Sterling was signed by the Jets off the Chiefs' practice squad. On November 10, 2018, Sterling was placed on injured reserve with a head injury. On March 25, 2019, Sterling re-signed with the Jets. He was released on June 11, 2019.

Kansas City Chiefs (second stint)

On June 13, 2019, Sterling signed with the

. He was released on July 24.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sterling, Neal 1992 births Living people American football wide receivers American football tight ends Jacksonville Jaguars players Kansas City Chiefs players Manasquan High School alumni Monmouth Hawks football players New York Jets players People from Belmar, New Jersey Players of American football from New Jersey Sportspeople from Monmouth County, New Jersey