The NFL announced the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2009, and Shannon Sharpe is among them.
There were 133 eligible candidates — players, coaches and contributors — at the beginning of the process, and Sharpe was only one of a handful of players in their first year of eligibility to be selected as one of the 25 semifinalists.
Former Bronco Terrell Davis was also one of the 25 semifinalists, though the Hall of Fame selectors only voted Sharpe through to the final 15.
Sharpe played 12 seasons in Orange and Blue and two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens during a playing career that spanned from 1990 to 2003.
In that time, he played his way to become one of the most prolific tight ends in NFL history. He caught 815 passes for 10,060 yards and 62 touchdowns. When he retired, he was the all-time leader among tight ends in all three categories.
There are 17 finalists — two players were nominated earlier by the Hall of Fame’s Senior Committee. They are as follows: WR Cris Carter, C Dermontti Dawson, DE Richard Dent, G Russ Grimm, WR Bob Hayes, DE Claude Humphrey, DT Cortez Kennedy, G Bob Kuechenberg, G Randall McDaniel, DT John Randle, WR Andre Reed, Sharpe, DE Bruce Smith, former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, LB Derrick Thomas, Buffalo Bills Founder/Owner Ralph Wilson and CB/S Rod Woodson.
There’s no set number of inductees that will actually make it to Canton, but the Hall of Fame’s ground rules state that each class will be composed of four to seven members.
To be elected into the Hall of Fame, a finalist must receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent.
The Class of 2009 will be determined at the Selection Committee’s annual meeting on Saturday, January 31, 2009, in Tampa, Florida — the day before Super Bowl XLIII. The election results are announced immediately following the meeting at a press conference at the Super Bowl media headquarters.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Gray Caldwell, Hall of Fame, Shannon Sharpe
I’ll die if we get a RB in the 1st round… we have one issue on offense and multiple issues on deffense… So, doesn’t it sound logical to go deffense in the 1st round????
With all the good RB’s declaring for ther draft, why waste a 1st round pick? There’ll be excellent talent available in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. Good penetration by our DT’s? What team were you watching?
This one. seriously Marcus thomas was the best player on D this year from what i saw, grant it Im in texas and only saw like 6 games this year but he and robertson spent alot of time in the back field…. the problem was they were the only players getting a push and running backs just bounced it to the outside where our DE’s were getting pushed 10 yards down the field.
And I dont see this years RB class to be all that good, last year was a great year for running backs, but this year im not so sure about. Ill guess well see as evaluations are done.
I don’t think running back is even something that needs to be addressed right now. It is not like they have running backs that suck and can’t get the job done, they just could not keep a back healthy. Some of you talk like they had one or two steady backs that were there all season and did not produce. There wasn’t a back in the game long enough to get any rhythm. Considering the fact they had to keep going to a different back, they did pretty well. I have very high hopes for Hillis and even though he did not get much time I feel pretty good about Torain. Think about it, they played 9 backs this year and were the #2 offense. Most teams don’t go through 9 backs in 9 years. I think they have the back they need on the roster now they just need to stay healthy and have a chance to get in a rhythm with the rest of the offense and prove themselves. You can not give up on all these backs and say they need some one new just because non of them were in the game very long due to injury. They were not unproductive they were just unfortunate and unhealthy.
I will puke if they draft a back early. Their picks need to be spent on building a defense. Oldsouthstander I agree, penetration by the DT’s seriously? They did not get penetration worth a crap this year. QB’s had all day to throw. The word of the draft and free agency is DEFENSE!
Take the McCoy kid from OK, he reminds me a lot of Pryce. Not fat, just knows how to play football. YES, if a running back falls to the 2nd round and we have a chance to nab him GET HIM. We have a bunch of decent backs but no true work horse. I agree that Hillis should be a 10 carry guy at least next year. I believe we’re going to hire the Spaz man from NYC, once they are eliminated I look for Bowlen to announce his hiring.
I think we should go for a DT..in the draft..either cody (alabama) for his weight or mcoy(oklahoma)for his speed. If we do draft a RB..I am wishing on wells (ohio state)..we could use him with hillis to pound the opposition..but all said and done we need that ILB like (mauluga-usc)or convert everton browne into a LB like terrell suggs. Then we can concentrate on the free agency and maybe listen to champs plea of getting his fellow teammate swoops here and maybe steal sproles from the chargers in the free agency.
drafting a dt first round would be stupid, get taylor mays or the best linebacke available between lauranitus mauluaga and curry hopefully curry
shannon is a horrible commentor, always down on the broncos argues for phillip rivers to be off mvp get real shannon you were a bronco most of your career yet you think your a raven i hope you get in cause you were great but i prefered you playing not talking horse face