After playing college football for the Morgan State Bears, he was selected by the New York Giants in the third round of the 2003 NFL draft.

As an infant, he emigrated to the United States with his mother, settling in Silver Spring, Maryland.

[2] He attended Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland where he transformed himself from a 190-pound freshman to a 250-pound senior tight end.

[6] Shiancoe signed a five-year, $18.2 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent in 2007.

[8] Shiancoe agreed to a one-year deal with the New England Patriots on July 24, 2012, reportedly worth $1.2 million.

[11] The signing was prompted by a season-ending hip injury suffered during training camp by Dennis Pitta.

Vikings owner Zygi Wilf was presenting the game ball to coach Brad Childress' son, Andrew, who had enlisted in the United States Marine Corps the day before.