Shannon Sharpe Hall of Fame Tight End

Born on June 26, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois, Shannon Sharpe carved out a Hall of Fame career as a dynamic tight end in the National Football League.  

College Career

Sharpe attended Savannah State University, a Division II Historically Black College and University (HBCU). From 1986 to 1989, he was a standout wide receiver for the Tigers, rewriting the program's record books. A three-time First Team All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) selection (1987-1989), he was also named the SIAC Player of the Year in 1987 and a Kodak Division II All-American in 1989. Sharpe holds Savannah State's single-season records for receiving yards (1,312), touchdowns (18), and yards per catch (21.5), all set in 1989. He finished his college career with 192 receptions for 3,744 yards and 40 touchdowns, leading the Tigers to their best records in program history (7-3 in 1988 and 8-1 in 1989). Savannah State retired his No. 2 jersey.  

Road to the Pro Game

Despite his stellar Division II college career, Sharpe was not considered a top NFL prospect. Concerns existed about his size (6'2", 228 lbs) being potentially too large for a receiver and too small for a traditional tight end. The Denver Broncos selected him in the seventh round (192nd overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft, initially intending to play him at wide receiver. After limited action in his first two seasons, the Broncos successfully transitioned him to tight end in 1992, a move that unlocked his Pro Bowl-caliber potential.  

Football Legacy

Shannon Sharpe played 14 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Denver Broncos (1990-1999, 2002-2003) and a two-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens (2000-2001). He revolutionized the tight end position, showcasing a blend of receiving prowess and blocking ability that made him a matchup nightmare for defenses. Sharpe won three Super Bowl titles (XXXII, XXXIII with Denver; XXXV with Baltimore) and retired after the 2003 season as the NFL's all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns by a tight end (though these records have since been surpassed). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011 and is considered one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history.  

Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats

Sharpe's accolades include eight Pro Bowl selections (1992-1998, 2001), four First-team All-Pro selections (1993, 1996-1998), and selection to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. He surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in three seasons and had two seasons with 10 or more touchdowns. In 204 career games, Sharpe recorded 815 receptions for 10,060 yards and 62 touchdowns. He also holds the NFL record for the longest touchdown reception in postseason history (96 yards). Sharpe was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame and the Black College Football Hall of Fame.