Sharpe's nerves of steel melt at thought of Hall of Fame

The Rocky

Published January 29, 2009 at 2:57 p.m.
Updated January 30, 2009 at 11:05 a.m.

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Photo by Barry Gutierrez / The Rocky/2002

Tight end Shannon Sharpe, who played most of his pro career with the Broncos, admits he's "nervous."

He still is in football shape, albeit with 8 percent body fat compared with the 5 percent or 6 percent he played at for 14 NFL seasons.

But the man who has three Super Bowl rings wasn't afraid to taunt a guy such as Derrick Thomas and regularly appears before millions on radio and TV readily admits he's nervous.

"I'm more nervous than I've ever been - more than leading up to the draft or leading up to the championship games or Super Bowls. I've never been this nervous in my life," Shannon Sharpe says.

Most experts say there is little reason to be nervous and that Sharpe, while not necessarily a lock, should hear his name called Saturday as part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2009.

But this once-skinny kid who grew up poor in rural Georgia still is driven by the same fear of failure that propelled him to become one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history.

"To be honest, I just keep playing the scenario in my head where (my name) didn't get called (Saturday). So I'm kind of bracing for the worst and hoping for the best," he said.

That said, there's no hesitation about what the latter would mean to him.

"Obviously, it would be validation, the final piece," said Sharpe, now an NFL studio analyst for CBS. "They say success is a journey, not a destination. But if you play professional sports, the ultimate destination is in one's prospective sport's hall of fame."

When, not if

Sharpe is one of 17 finalists for the Hall, in his first year of eligibility, along with Rod Woodson, John Randle and Bruce Smith.

While Sharpe's mouth might have rubbed some the wrong way, his numbers are as loud as the man himself: 14 seasons, 815 catches, 10,060 yards, 62 touchdowns.

If those aren't eye-catching enough, there's the eight Pro Bowls, three Super Bowls (two with the Broncos, one with Baltimore) and an NFL-record 12 consecutive postseason victories.

"I didn't have any doubt he'd go to the Hall of Fame," Broncos Ring of Fame running back Terrell Davis said. "It was just a matter of when he'd retire and get in."

That certainly isn't what Sharpe dreamed of when he was the youngest cousin being pushed around by older boys in Glennville, Ga.

"I was two, three years younger than the rest of the cousins and they used to pick on me and make me cry, and I'd go in and tell my grandmother and she said, 'It takes all that to make a man. Now go back out there and play with them,' " Sharpe recalled.

While he said his brother, former NFL receiver Sterling Sharpe, would be his presenter in August, should he be elected to the Hall, it will be his grandmother Mary back home whom he gives the most credit for putting him in this position.

She raised Sharpe and his siblings on little more than $197 every two weeks in a tiny, white-brick house with a tin roof that leaked every time it rained in the south Georgia woods.

"Monetarily, if I had a billion dollars, I couldn't repay the gift to her for what she did for me and my brother and my sister," Sharpe said.

"That's going to be the most emotional time for me. Obviously, I'll break down because every time I think how much she's done for me, it's hard not to well up," he said.

Though his grandmother will turn 87 in May and wouldn't be able to travel to Canton, Ohio, for an induction ceremony, Sharpe knows she'd be watching and listening on TV.

'One chance'

What Sharpe would say in his induction speech is he never planned on being a player who helped revolutionize his position. He just wanted to be in a situation where his grandmother never had to worry about the rain or paying her bills.

"Never in my wildest imagination would I (have) dreamed it would be like this," he said.

So how did Sharpe, now 40, get to this point?

Simple.

"I could not go back to Glennville a failure. Having a college degree was not enough for me. I looked at it as I got one chance, one shot at glory, I was going to do whatever I needed to do," he said.

Sharpe said he always knew he could play, but the odds were long that he'd even make an NFL team.

"So many people were counting on me, but so many people were counting against me," he said.

"When I was in high school, everybody said, 'You're good because you're the big fish in a small pond.' When I got to college, they said the same thing because I was at Savannah State."

His first year in the pros did little to sway detractors.

He caught only seven passes as a rookie after being drafted in the seventh round by the Broncos in 1990 as a receiver. But the next year, then-coach Dan Reeves moved him to H-back and, in 1992, Reeves' final season, Sharpe began to blossom.

"I talk to Dan occasionally, and I thank him every time for giving me that opportunity," said Sharpe, who as tight end became a focal point in Mike Shanahan's system.

Former Broncos safety Tyrone Braxton remembers an early drill with Sharpe lined up at tight end.

"They put a (tackling) dummy behind Sharpe and the DBs had to get around him or go through him or run over him to touch the dummy. Ain't nobody touched the dummy on Sharpe. He was just manhandling us," Braxton said.

With his size and his Incredible Hulk-like build, he would become a major mismatch for defenses.

Though his gift of gab endeared him to the media and teammates, Sharpe was serious about at least one thing - healthy eating. Braxton still laughs at the lunchtime memories.

"He would bring his own Tupperware in, with chicken breast and green beans," Braxton said.

In the clutch

Whatever, it worked.

He had three 1,000-yard seasons in a four-year span in the mid-1990s and racked up a record 214 receiving yards in a game in 2002.

But his biggest catch might have been the crowd-silencing 18-yarder on third-and-6 with 1:46 left in the 1997 season AFC Championship Game at Pittsburgh.

The Steelers never got the ball back and Denver advanced to win its first Super Bowl.

"Pro Bowls and hall of fames can be a popularity contest, but when it comes down to making plays like that, that get you to the Super Bowl . . . that's what I'm talking about," Braxton said. "Third down, in the clutch."

Sharpe said the play had been put in weeks earlier, but never in that formation. No matter. Quarterback John Elway simply told Sharpe to line up and "get open."

"I said to myself, 'Here we are, this is a chance to go to the Super Bowl, and you're talking about going down here and make up a route,' " Sharpe said. "So I go down there 5, 6 yards, turn around, and the next thing I know, the ball is on my shoulder pads."

It more than made up for an end-zone drop he had in 1991 in a critical one-point division loss to the Raiders that might have cost the Broncos home-field advantage in the playoffs.

"I said if I ever get the opportunity again, I'll never let my teammates down. That was the play," he said.

And Saturday likely will be a defining moment, five years after Elway's induction and a year after tackle Gary Zimmerman was enshrined.

Davis wouldn't be surprised if Sharpe turns Canton into a Chris Rock stage show.

"I've never seen Shannon serious a whole day in my life," Davis said.

Considering who would be watching back in Glennville, though, don't be surprised if the guy with the gift of gab speaks straight from the heart.

• January 29, 2009

  4:41 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  DougH writes:

  Shannon, you are the man and you deserve to be in the Hall. Good Luck .

• January 29, 2009

  4:44 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  BringBackOrange writes:

  Shannon we love you and are so proud of your accomplishments in the Mile High city. Before Mike Shanahan, Terrell Davis, the blossoming of Rod Smith, Ed McCaffrey and our killer zone blocking scheme there was just you and John Elway. In my opinion you are the godfather of great receivers in Denver(no offense to the three amigos LOL). I can see a lot of you in Brandon Marshall. Even though your not here anymore, the shadow you cast and the standards you set for being a great receiver in Denver live on. I know as well as you do, that you are a lock Hall of Famer! Congratulations Shannon Sharpe!!!

• January 29, 2009

  4:45 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Classof65 writes:

  Good luck, Mr. Sharpe!

• January 29, 2009

  5:58 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Rangerjoe1 writes:

  Thanks for everything Shannon, Always welcome in Denver.

• January 29, 2009

  6:21 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  nmbronco1 writes:

  I was sad when Shannon Sharpe was "stolen" away from the Broncos by CBS a few years back as Shannon had at least 2-3 good years left in him. It's been a great choice in some ways, as Shannon and his infamous mouth help make the CBS pre-game show much better than FOX's (IMO). Shannon Sharpe deserves to be a first ballot HOFer and I look forward to seeing his speech in Canton this summer! We all know it will be unique just as Shannon himself is... long live Bronco #84!

• January 29, 2009

  6:45 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  broncosfanatic3 writes:

  shannon will get in for suree. best tight end ever. Go #84 thanks for the memories.

• January 29, 2009

  7:13 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  denmex writes:

  u did get out from glennville and got ur glory im from mexico city i live here in mexico and i know and admire u, u took ur shoot and u did it, hall of fame 4 shure, scuse me hall of fame 84sure.

• January 30, 2009

  7:03 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Broncody writes:

  Sharpe has to get in or the HOF loses all of its integrity to me.

• January 30, 2009

  9:51 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  jersey writes:

  If "Mushmouth's" contract is renewed by CBS the renewer should be ran out of NY! Enunciates as if a muffler is jammed down his throat! As for the HOF, I've seen less talent go in. FYI: I'm African-American so don't bring that race card crap so readily tossed around by certain blind supporters!

• January 30, 2009

  9:57 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  ClintEastwood writes:

  Shannon has too big of a mouth for me to root for his induction into the Hall. His numbers are great for a tight end, but that was thanks to Elway & the mismatch caused by having a receiver (not a blocker) at that position.

  His brother, Sterling is a shining example of a class act.

• January 30, 2009

  10:33 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  SE7EN writes:

  Sharpe is on of my favorite Broncos ever. I hated seeing him go to Baltimore. If Sharpe doesn't get his name called then something is seriously wrong. Sharpe redefined the TE position. Sure #88 in KC has the numbers, but Sharpe has more rings than Tony Gonzales has playoff wins.

  I'll never forget the night when Sharpe got Derek Thomas so far off his game. Truly one of the best trash talkers to play.

• January 30, 2009

  10:38 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  BigRedCelt writes:

  jersey and eastwood are absolute morons.

  jersey even bringing up race, whatever your skin color, proves you wallow in utter stupidity. As far as "mushmouth" at least the man can speak. Emmit Smith can't even form a sentence. And I've yet to hear the word "Aks" come out of Shannons mouth.

  Eastwood breaks the moron-o-meter with the "well if he didn't have John Elway" idiotic argument. This is the sme type of clown that argues "Shanny would have no superbowls without Elway" "Elway would have no superbowls without Davis" "Davis was only good because on the system".. You can't come up with a real argument so you make up this $h!t. Here's a clue moron. No mater what system you play in, to be great, you have to be a great player. He was not known as a blocker because that was not his job. He did however get the job done. He was a mismatch because he was a grat player. He never, EVER got in any type of trouble. His teammates loved him.

  Yep he liked to talk. He was not vulger or flipping off the crowd just good natured ribbling.

  You two whiny crybabies get your pacifier and your blanky and go sit in the corner and pout.

• January 30, 2009

  10:43 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  noneyabeeswax writes:

  His name BETTER be called! We love you, number 84!

• January 30, 2009

  11:34 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  JustSayin writes:

  Sharpe was a stud, and a real talent, and belongs in the HOF.

  I have to agree with jersey about the 'mushmouth' comment, though. Sharpe may not use street vernacular (aks, etc.), but what he does speak does not come out clearly. The man may be 'Sharpe' as a tack and know his football, but it's almost painful listening to him. If his job is to communicate, maybe he should think about a speech coach.

• January 30, 2009

  11:47 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Squatch writes:

  Shannon you should nothing to worry about but then again when these voters have say you never know. The excuse they will make if you dont get in is "it took So and So ? years so we couldnt just let him in on the 1st Ballot". Look at Floyd Little the guy retired as the 7th leading rusher in NFL history yet he never got elected to the hall. Now the Minimum yardage allowed is 13,000 and yo better be a dual threat but you play 16 games.

• January 30, 2009

  12:09 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  denverrose writes:

  Go Shannon!!! We're rooting for you. You're the best.

• January 30, 2009

  12:51 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Spider writes:

  There's no doubt that Shannon Sharpe should be inducted in his first year. The talk I hear though is they are voting him as a WR and using that criteria. If you "aks" me that stinks :-)

• January 30, 2009

  1:10 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Superstar writes:

  Shannon is the best! My favorite Bronco of all time. I'm always proud to wear my old orange #84 jersey. He is a class act and one of the best examples in all of sports for someone who came from a humble life and became the best because of his dedication and perserverance. I'm rooting for you Shannon. Can't wait until the celebration at Mile High welcoming you back with your big honor!

• January 30, 2009

  1:12 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Bronco_Billy writes:

  I speak "Shannon” it’s an acquired skill. Hearing him over the years it has sounds normal to me, I don't understand what Jersey is babbling about. To borrow a famous movie quote "the only thing from Jersey is Steers and Queers and I don’t see any horns on Jersey.

• January 30, 2009

  1:35 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  RomBrew writes:

  This man is a class act, He made a great life for himself and keeps in mind his roots. He deserves the HOF honor.
  It's great when someone other than most of these NFL gang members gets recognized.
  And about the mush mouth comment. Since we all text in abbreviated form and basically watch and listen to what when I was growing up considered bad vocabulary. Eloquent speech is not neccessarily a sign that the ideas behind the speech have any merit.

• January 30, 2009

  5:54 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  jersey writes:

  Bigredcelt: Let me enlighten you fool because obviously you are clueless as to my race card comment. Believe it or not there are posters who are quick to throw the race card into the mix whenever someone of my ethnicity is denounced for any reason. Thats called blind support of which I am not a part of. I made it a point to FYI on that because I did not want it played thinking I am White, Einstein. I stand by what I said of his marble filled mouth as to enunciation. Why am I not surprise that he sounds good to you seeing how he is one of your beloved donkeys. If you were to ever remove those orange colored glasses and to listen with an open mind you just might see what I'm talking about. Hell, The sun stands a better chance of rising from the west and setting in the east before that would ever happen. What the hey does Emmitt Smith have to do with this conversation? I thought the topic was about your guy Mushmouth and him only. Let him stand on his own merit. Bronco_Hillbilly: As for your asinine infantile comment as to my Native State, cute! If it's not to late for you don't let the movies be your gospel. Some have great lines but have the credence of cowboy boots on a ballroom dance floor!

• January 30, 2009

  7:17 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  pete10000ft writes:

  Hall of Fame football player ..Hall of Shame TV personality. Hopefully he'll be gone from CBS because he is not good.

• January 30, 2009

  9:47 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Robfromaurora writes:

  I would like to share a personal story about Shannon Sharpe to all of you who think he is a "class act". A friend and I were invited and attended (what used to be annual) fund raiser by Janet Elway. It was at Fiddlers Green in Littleton, and was for the families of Columbine shooting incident. Many many of the Broncos were there, and because my friend is the club pro where John Elway golfed, we were given wrist bands that allowed us into the garden with the players, wives and familes.

  Brian Greise, Bubby Brister, Ed McCaffrey, Ray Crocket, Shannon Sharpe and many many other were there. I myself drank a beer, and talked with Bubby Brister for quite a while and thoroughly enjoyed myself, as did most of the fans and Bronco players seemingly. Shannon Sharpe was wearing a black hat backwards and had some numbers on it. I asked Brister what that was about? Thinking maybe it was the number of people effected by the shootings, or someting like that. I found out it was his total yards in receiving that year. Now, just to show how relaxed this event was, Brian Greise was playing catch with ice cubes, with a couple young ladies. Now, Shannon Sharpe sat in the corner with two other guys I didn't recognize, he didn't mingle or talk to anyone at all. I personally saw 3 men, and 1 young lady go to shannon, and he wouldn't even speak to them.

  I thought this action was ridiculous, so my friend and I went and sat down at the end of the table that Shannon and Co. were at. I really wanted to just talk to him and tell him I was a fan and congrats on a good season. I never did go talk to him because he sat there, and checked out his biceps and rolled his neck the entire time I sat at the table. So, needles to say, I think Shannon is a cheeseball ego freak. Yeah, he was good for our Broncos, and I really liked him until this night. He probably will get in the HOF, but I wont clap or smile, and for sure wont call him a class act.

  If he would have just remembered....we were all at that function to support children and familes of a terrible incident, not to celebrate his 1000 yard receiving season.

  See ya Shannon, If you go into the HOF, please go in as A Raven

• January 30, 2009

  9:51 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Bubbantx writes:

  Shannon, What a Player allways gave His all Hall of Fame for Sure, Jersey Pull your head out. Sharpe redefind the Position of Tight End..

• January 31, 2009

  10:27 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  jersey writes:

  Bubbantx: Sharp redefined the TE Pos? What are you, 20-21? Have you ever heard of John Mackey, Kellen Winslow, Mark Bavaro or Mike Ditka just to name a few. By the way I'm talking about Ditka as a player and not the coach, youngblood. Probably not seeing how neither of them suited up for the "Donks" where your realm of knowledge seems to be limited. Hell, chances are astronomical I've forgotten more than you could ever hope to attain. Here's a news flash for ya. The NFL had a long existence prior to Sharps arrival and even longer since your "Donks" joined in 1960. The next time you decide to come at me send your dad if possible in your stead!

• January 31, 2009

  6:15 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  mmmark217 writes:

  Hey Jersey,
  I'll give you John Mackey and Kellen Winslow, But Mark Bavaro??? You've gotta be kidding me. Yes Bavaro was good. Great? I don't think so. Dave Kasper of the Raiders was great. Kellen Winslow of the Chargers was great. Ozzie Newsome of the Browns was great. I never got to see Ditka play so I can't comment on that. I've seen Hilights of Mackey and I agree he was great. Sharpe has the numbers to be in the Hall. And I agree, Sharpe is hard to listen to. He has a speech impediment in case you didn't know. And I really don't care for his abilities as a sportscaster, but as a football player, he is/was a Hall Of Fame player.

• January 31, 2009

  7:10 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  jersey writes:

  mmmark217: Not a problem with me as to our disagreement and it doesn't seem to be a problem with you as well. Compared to some posters who choose to be infantile with the name calling, as if that is going to enhance their point, it's refreshing to see respect when the views don't mesh. Thanks. FYI Ditka was a beast on the field in every aspect the position called for. I'm old enough to remember him well. In being a life long Giants fan I'll admit I'm a bit biased as to Bavaro. Hey, it comes with the territory. I just take exception with those who think the NFL did not exist prior to the Bronc's inception in 1960 and the players accomplisments should be down played if not dissed prior to #7 and the 80's contingent that followed. I compliment you on your admittal of not seeing Ditka play and not offering an uneducated bias opinion compared to some others who feel because they wore blue and orange none should be denied entry into the HOF under any circumstances! Did not know about Sharpe's speech impediment. Even if it is true it does not change the fact that he is "Mushmouthed". It is what it is. Would probably have more sympathy if he had not been the jackass that he was on the sidelines and off the field!

• January 31, 2009

  8:50 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  mmmark217 writes:

  Hey Jersey,
  I agree with you that Sharpe was/is a loudmouth both on and off the field. I have to overlook that because of the type of player he was. Long gone are the days when players just played. They all trash talk now!!! Ever since Billy "White Shoes" Johnson started the touchdown celebration, Every Player In The NFL Thinks It's Ok to Jump Up And Down Like Idiots and Make Fools Of Themselves. It used to be considered poor sportsmanship to do that kind of thing. I laugh out loud when I watch the NFL these days. It makes me ROFL when I see a guy Jumping up and Down after making the play when His Team Is Losing The Game. They jump around like they are god's gift to the world these days. I, personally, like the guy who get's up, dusts himself off and makes another play. Mike Shanahan once commented on all the celebrations. He said, I'm a firm believer that you act like you've been there before, and act like you're going to do it again. I like those types of players these days, but they're not many out there.

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