Shane Vereen
A versatile running back whose clutch playoff performances helped secure a Super Bowl championship for the New England Patriots.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American football player·Birthday: March 2·Millennials
Biography
Shane Vereen's football journey began in California, where his explosive play at the University of California, Berkeley, caught the eye of NFL scouts. Drafted by the New England Patriots in 2011, he carved out a vital role not as a traditional every-down back, but as a specialist in critical moments. His true breakout came in the 2014 postseason, where his sure hands and route-running from the backfield became a quarterback's safety valve. In Super Bowl XLIX, his 11 receptions were a key factor in the Patriots' narrow victory over the Seattle Seahawks. After his time in New England, Vereen brought his savvy to the New York Giants before retiring, leaving a legacy defined by intelligent, situational excellence rather than sheer statistical volume.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Shane was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Shane Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Shane's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won Super Bowl XLIX with the New England Patriots.
- Set a Super Bowl record for receptions by a running back with 11 catches in Super Bowl XLIX.
- Scored a touchdown in three consecutive playoff games during the Patriots' 2014 championship run.
- Recorded over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in the 2014 regular season.
Did You Know?
His full middle name is Patrick-Henry.
He majored in Media Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.
He is the older brother of former NFL running back Brock Vereen.
In high school, he was also a standout track athlete, competing in the 100-meter dash and long jump.
“My role is to be reliable in the passing game on third down.”
