Sterling Sharpe: Canton Bound?

1989

After establishing himself in his rookie year, Sterling Sharpe began to make his presence known. He finished the season with a league-leading 90 receptions, 1,423 yards, and 12 touchdowns. Sharpe also recorded his longest career reception with a 79 yard catch-and-run touchdown from Don Majkowski. The Majik Man was in the midst of his own breakout season, completing 353 of his 599 pass attempts, 27 touchdowns, and a league-leading 4,318 passing yards.

Sterling Sharpe would be named to his first Pro Bowl team and first AP All-Pro First Team

1990-91

Over the next two seasons, Sterling Sharpe would remain a steadfast target for his QBs. in 1990, he recorded 1,105 yards, and six touchdowns on 67 receptions. He made his second Pro Bowl as well. In 1991, Sharpe would add another 961 yards and four touchdowns to his career, catching 69 passes

Sterling Sharpe: Man on a Mission (1992-1994)

The last three years of Sterling Sharpe’s career were incredible. This could be attributed the arrival of one Brett Favre from Atlanta.

1992 would see Sharpe win the league’s receiving Triple Crown (league leader in yards, receptions, and touchdowns), hauling in a dominant 1,461 yards, and 13 touchdowns on 108 receptions. Sharpe also lead the league in yards per game (YPG), averaging 90.1 YPG that season. He would later be named to his third Pro Bowl selection, and second AP All-Pro First Team.

It was the same old song and dance in 1993. Sharpe hauled in 1,247 yards and 11 touchdowns on another league-leading 112 receptions. His fourth Pro Bowl selection, and third AP All-Pro First Team.

In 1994, Sharpe suffered what would become a career-ending neck injury, forcing him to retire at 29 years old. Despite the injury, he started all 16 games of the 1994 season, grabbing a league-leading 18 touchdowns and 1,119 yards on 94 receptions. He would later be selected to his fifth and final Pro Bowl.

The Hall of Fame Case for Sterling Sharpe

As previously mentioned, Sterling Sharpe had an amazing career.

To briefly recap his achievements:

• Three-time NFL Receptions Leader (1989,1992,1993)
• Five Pro Bowl appearances (1989,1990, 1992,1993,1994)
• Three-time AP All-Pro First Team (1989,1992,1993)
• Two-time NFL Touchdowns Leader (1992, 1994)
• 1992 Receiving Triple Crown
• Finished Top Ten in MVP Voting twice (1992, 1993)
• NFL Yards Per Game Leader (1992)
• Third in Packers history in Receptions and Receiving Yards
• Fourth in Packers history in Receiving Touchdowns

Looking at that list, its almost mind-boggling that Sterling Sharpe isn’t already in Canton. I feel like his brother, Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, puts it best. “I am the only person in the Hall of Fame that can say I was the second best player in my family.”

Sterling Sharpe’s ballot window closed in 2020, so now it is in the hands of the senior committee, who can elect three former players to the Hall of Fame. Regardless of if he gets elected or not, Sterling Sharpe had a career for the ages, and I am so thankful he did it in a Packers uniform.