Shannon Sharpe

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Lore & Background

Despite a stellar college career at Savannah State, Sharpe was not considered a highly rated prospect in the 1990 NFL draft. Playing Division II college football, his size—6 ft 2 in (1.88 m), 230 lb (104 kg)—was considered too large for a receiver and too small for a tight end. He was eventually selected in the seventh round with the 192nd pick by the Denver Broncos. After two mediocre seasons as a receiver in which he caught just 29 passes, Denver converted him to a tight end. This quickly paid off, as Sharpe caught 53 passes in his third season. He remained with Denver until 1999, winning two championship rings at Super Bowl XXXII and Super Bowl XXXIII. After a two-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens, where he won another championship ring at Super Bowl XXXV, he returned to the Broncos and played there until 2003.

In Their Own Story

In a 1993 playoff game against the Los Angeles Raiders, Sharpe tied a postseason record with 13 receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown. Sharpe was selected to the All-Pro Team four times and played in eight Pro Bowls (1992–1998, 2001), amassing over 1,000 receiving yards in three different seasons. He finished his 14-year career with 815 receptions for 10,060 yards and 62 touchdowns in 203 games. On February 6, 2011, Shannon Sharpe was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Reader's Guide

During his 12 non-consecutive seasons with Denver, he was selected to seven consecutive Pro Bowls and four first-team All-Pros, and won two consecutive Super Bowl titles. In between his Broncos tenure, Sharpe was a member of the Baltimore Ravens for two seasons, receiving an eighth Pro Bowl selection and winning a third Super Bowl title. The first NFL tight end to amass over 10,000 receiving yards, Sharpe retired as the NFL leader in tight end receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

Did You Know?

• Sharpe was selected by the Broncos in the seventh round with the 192nd pick of the 1990 NFL draft.
• After two mediocre seasons as a receiver catching just 29 passes, Denver converted him to a tight end, and he caught 53 passes in his third season.
• In a 1993 playoff game against the Los Angeles Raiders, Sharpe tied a postseason record with 13 receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown.
• Sharpe was the first NFL tight end to amass over 10,000 receiving yards.
• He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on February 6, 2011.