To this point, Shannon Sharpe is the greatest tight end in the Denver Broncos storied history. Aside from Tony Gonzalez, he may be the top tight end in the history of the NFL. Let’s take a look at his impeccable 12-year career.
Great Denver Broncos From History: Shannon Sharpe
Sharpe came from very humble beginnings. He grew up in Glennville, GA before he went on to become a three-sport athlete at Savannah State. He was a three-time All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection from 1987 to 1989 and the SIAC Player of the Year in 1987. He was rewarded for his illustrious career at Savannah State by being inducted into the Division II Football Hall of Fame in 2009, and his #2 jersey was retired by the school.
Coming from such a small school, Sharpe was not highly touted by NFL scouts. At 6-2, 228 pounds, he possessed good size but not as big as a lot of teams preferred for the tight end position. Because of this, guys like Eric Green, Mike Jones, Jesse Anderson, Jackie Harris, Charles Arbuckle, and Scott Galbraith were all taken before Sharpe in the 1990 NFL Draft. Looking back on it, it is unbelievable that Sharpe was not taken until the seventh round with the 192nd pick by the Denver Broncos, a move that would pay ample dividends for the Mile High City.
A Legend Is Born
Shannon Sharpe was a unicorn during his time, but in today’s NFL, he is the poster child for the tight end position. He was a true dual threat, a tremendous blocker in the trenches (just ask every Broncos’ running back that rushed over 1,000 yards during the 90’s), as well as a tremendous threat through the air.
When Sharpe retired he was the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions (815), receiving yards (10,060), and receiving touchdowns (62) by a tight end. These three records were eventually broken by Tony Gonzalez, but Sharpe holds the honor of being the first tight end to ever garner 10,000 receiving yards.
His esteemed accolades do not stop there. He was a three-time Super Bowl Champion (twice with the Broncos, and once with the Ravens), and an eight-time Pro Bowler (’92-’98, 2001). He was selected as a four-time All-Pro (1993, ’96-’98) and was given the honor of being named to the All-Decade team of the 1990s.
King Of The Clutch
During his career with the Broncos, he was one of John Elway’s most trusted weapons. When the game was on the line and Denver needed a big play, you could always count on Sharpe to come through with a miraculous catch. None is more evident than a chilly winter day at Three Rivers Stadium against the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 11, 1998. Up 24-21, the Broncos faced a critical third and six on their own 15-yard line with around two minutes left to play. Elway told Sharpe in the huddle “Go get open” and Sharpe did just that. An 18-yard gain gave the Broncos a first down, and they were able to run the clock out en route to Super Bowl XXXII (which became their first Super Bowl victory).
It seems only fitting that we salute this Denver Broncos legend on June 26, as today is Sharpe’s 49th birthday. He truly is a Bronco great.
