Shannon Sharpe, who was named to the Pro Bowl seven times as a Denver Bronco and helped the club to two Super Bowl victories, was elected as the 22nd member of the Broncos’ Ring of Fame, it was announced Tuesday.
He’s the first player to be inducted since Terrell Davis in 2007. The ceremony will take place on Sunday, Sept. 20, at halftime of the Broncos’ home opener against the Cleveland Browns at INVESCO Field at Mile High.
Sharpe, who played 12 seasons for Denver from 1990-99 and 2002-03, tied a Broncos franchise record with his seven consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 1992-98 while becoming the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns by a tight end. Sharpe also was a four-time first-team All-Pro selection by the Associated Press while a member of the Broncos.
In 172 career regular-season games (139 starts) with Denver, Sharpe registered the second-most receptions (675), receiving yards (8,439) and receiving touchdowns (55) by a player in club annals, trailing only wide receiver Rod Smith. Selected by the Broncos in the seventh round (192nd overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft from Savannah State University, Sharpe totaled 18 100-yard receiving games (17 regular season, 1 postseason) as a Bronco that tie for the third most by a player in franchise history.
Those kind of numbers are the reason why many say Sharpe revolutionized the tight end position in the NFL.
“I think the thing is everybody wanted that guy that was going to be a matchup nightmare,” Sharpe said. “He was going to be two things – too fast for linebackers and too physical for a safety or a corner. When I came into the league, basically you wanted that extra offensive linemen. Everybody wanted to run the football. You get a guy 6-3, 280 or 290 and if he caught a couple of passes that was fine and good. Then all of the sudden when Dan Reeves used me at H-back, motioned me out, lined me up in the slot, put me out wide – all of the sudden teams said, ‘We have to get us one of those Shannon Sharpes.’”
Sharpe also played two seasons with Baltimore from 2000-01, earning the third Super Bowl ring of his career during the 2000 campaign and his eighth trip to the Pro Bowl in 2001 with the Ravens.
For his 14-year NFL career, Sharpe played 204 career regular-season games (169 starts) and had 815 receptions for 10,060 yards (12.3 avg.) with 62 touchdowns. He currently ranks second to only the Falcons’ Tony Gonzalez (1997-Pres.) in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns by a tight end in NFL history.
“It makes me feel good when I see these young guys now,” Sharpe said. “They walk up to me and say, ‘I followed your career, and I want to be the type of player that you were.’ Obviously it makes you feel good – it makes you feel old, but it makes you feel good.”
An interesting tidbit: Sharpe owns more receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, Super Bowl wins and Pro Bowl selections than any of the seven tight ends enshrined in the Hall of Fame. He was named the first-team tight end on the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team as chosen by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee members.
A finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2009, Sharpe certainly has a chance to be a finalist again this season. He said it would be an honor to become the eighth tight end to be enshrined in Canton.
“I remember Ozzie (Newsome), Kellen Winslow, Dave Casper and I caught the tail end of Jackie Smith’s career when he was in Dallas. The others I didn’t get the opportunity to see play but I heard about them – (Mike) Ditka, John Mackey and Charlie Sanders. It is an honor to all of a sudden be mentioned with them and be in their class. You feel like what you’ve done has been validated – kind of like what those guys did in their time.”
The Broncos’ Ring of Fame was created in 1984 by team owner Pat Bowlen to honor former players and administrators who played significant roles in the franchise’s history. The Ring of Fame is displayed on the Level 5 façade of INVESCO Field at Mile High.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Ring of Fame, Shannon Sharpe
Congrats Shannon. It’s up to us fans to make sure you are not disrespected for the second year in a row by the Hall of Fame for 2010.
anybody know when the next OTA’s are??
YES!… got the text from ESPN stating that this happened… and I was happy to hear…
Congrats Shannon!… you deserved more than this though (HOF)…
He deserves to be in the Ring…To bad the voters at the Hall of Fame cannot get past their boycott/shunning of the Broncos players. It may just be my opinion, but the players (plus or minis a few) in the Ring have the stats and player history to be in the Hall.
FYI current players are:
# Quarterback John Elway (1983-1998), 1999 Inductee
# Safety Austin “Goose” Gonsoulin (1960–1966), 1984 Inductee
# Linebacker Randy Gradishar (1974–1983), 1989 Inductee
# Defensive End Rich Jackson (1967–1972), 1984 Inductee
# Linebacker Tom Jackson (1973–1986), 1992 Inductee
# Quarterback Charley Johnson (1972–1975), 1986 Inductee
# Running Back Floyd Little (1967–1975), 1984 Inductee
# Linebacker Karl Mecklenburg (1983–1994), 2001 Inductee
# Quarterback Craig Morton (1977–1982), 1988 Inductee
# Wide Receiver Haven Moses (1972–1981), 1988 Inductee
# Former Owner Gerald H. Phipps, 1985 Inductee
# Safety Dennis Smith (1981–1994), 2001 Inductee
# Defensive End Paul Smith (1968–1978), 1986 Inductee
# Wide Receiver Lionel Taylor (1960–1966), 1984 Inductee
# Defensive Back Bill Thompson (1969–1981), 1987 Inductee
# Quarterback Frank Tripucka (1960–1963), 1986 Inductee
# Kicker Jim Turner (1971–1979), 1988 Inductee
# Cornerback Louis Wright (1975–1986), 1993 Inductee
# Tackle Gary Zimmerman (1993–1997), 2003 Inductee
# Free Safety Steve Atwater (1989–1998), 2005 Inductee
# Running Back Terrell Davis (1995–2001), 2007 Inductee
…And now Shannon Sharp.
Lets see if next year we cannot induct Darrent Williams (RIP). Great player and man taken way to soon…Unable to show the world all he was capable of on and off the field.
congrats Sharpe! well-deserved!
… now i wonder if Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey will get into the Ring of Fame too. they were a deadly duo weren’t they? haha.
Ricky, I definately think Rod Smith should go in their. not sure about McCaffery though.
Smith will be in it FOR SURE!… Ed?… well I like him (a lot), but I’m not sure if he’ll be in it…
Anyone think Shanny Will be in the Ring of Fame someday?… cuz I sure do!
Shanny will definately go in.
heck, I think Shanny will go to the HOF.
That should have been a HOF inductee annoucement.. nevermind Congrats to you Shannon!! I unfortunately am reduced to watching you on replays and never really got the chance to watch you as a player!!
Well and totally deserved! We must hire ShSh as TE coach
Great job on TV also!
Cheers!
samoan, I never got to watch him either. I’m stuck watching replays to.
Samoanbronco: I’m the same way… I was 6 when I first watched a Denver game and when I was 1st declared to be a Broncos fan by my big bro (cuz my fav color was Orange)… (THANKS BIG BRO!) haha… So yea, I don’t have too many memories of all these players on the 1st successful Broncos team (live memories)… and I didn’t get completely into football ’til they made their Super Bowl run w/ Plummer leading the way… that took me to the next level of “Fanship” (yes, another made up word haha)…
That’s why I’m sooooo excited for the upcoming years to be able to see all of these players develope into the next generation of “BRONCOS”…
(I guess I should say Playoff run… since they didn’t make it to the SB…)… but ya’ll know what I mean..
SCREW Shannon Sharpe! That dude is always selling us out on tv like he was never a Denver Bronco. I know he has to stay somewhat un-biased but T. Jack and T.D. always keep it real and they have the same job he does. Shannon Sharpe and Mark Schlereth are both haters, if you haven’t noticed you will now-just watch and listen.
With that said I’m glad he played his career in Denver and helped us win a couple championships but his stint in Baltimore ruined him.
I can say this he should have been a first ballot hall of famer. Before last year he held all major bests for his position along with Tony G. he is arguably the greatest TE to play the game, I give the edge to Shannon since he played for the Broncos.
Love your boys Shannon and stop hatin, stop trying to win an emmy off the bad pub. you give us.
I hate that he didn’t finish his Career in Denver… But going to Baltimore and getting his 3rd SB ring RUINED HIM?…
Congrats to Sharpe. HOF will be soon for him. Rod Smith should easily make the Ring of Fame. I think Smith should make the HOF also just for the fact he did so good and was a rookie free agent. I grew up watching these guys. During my teenage years it was Sharpe, Rod Smith, Eddy Mac, TD, and John Elway to name a few. TD should be considered for the HOF also. If it was not for TD’s short career he would easily make it but not so sure he will since he did not play long enough. Wow the good ol days where the offense was like a machine unstoppable and amazing to watch. Not tryin to live in the past though. There is a lot of potential with what we have now. The future looks good.
Rod Smith, Al Wilson and Mike Shannahan should all be added to the ring of fame.
Rod Smith and Shanny guaranteed, Al Wilson brought our mid to late 90′s D back to studness (now thats a made up word) all we you have to do is go back and watch the “HIT” he put on Tyrone Wheatley against the Raiders in the snow. And of course Champ Bailey will be added some day. Eddie “Mac” and Trevor Pryce should go in but you can’t add 15 players from one era.
Broncobailey99 what I mean is that it ruined his outlook on how he views and talks about our team, guys that have played with different team don’t have that loyalty we like, he came back and played a few years with us but by then he was on the backend of his career. the 3rd ring actually should have made him a lock for the hall first ballot, but a TE isn’t always sexy you know.
I getchya now emaldo… and I do agree… like Montana going to the Cheifs… Unitus going to the Chargers… Emmit going to Arizona… Farve going to New York Jets… Farve potentially going to the Vikes… and John Elway… WAIT!… THAT guy remained LOYAL AND DETERMINED to win the BIG ONE (twice) AND TO STAY W/ HIS TEAM TIL THE END!…
Rod deff. should be in the HOF… Like I said when he retired… “A team’s best is amongst the NFL’s best”… and because he is a great example…
A guy that apparently wasn’t worthy of a pick became the Bronco’s best WR ever… he was good off the feild and on… Class act… Class player… Hall of Fame class
Well said Broncobailey99
emaldo, I have to disagree. I’ve watched Shannon on many, many occasions put on the Denver Broncos horse-head helmet/hat and say “I’m rooting for my boys.” He supports Denver. I have heard him give unbiased opinions of some Broncos players, as does Schlereth, that’s their job. But I also have seen him support our boys when other members of the media are trying to bash them. He doesn’t give bad publicity. I would rather have him be truthful then sugar-coat it with lies, wouldn’t you?
Anyways, glad to hear that Shannon is getting put on the Ring of Fame.
Doc, McCaffery? Was that a play on his name? I have a friend out in Vegas who calls him McCaffery. He does it as a slip, not on purpose, though.
Broncobailey99, ha, ha, yeah, I was all prepared to write a comment scolding your blooper. Nice pick up. That would have made for a “discussful” subject.
I was 19 when I watched Denver lose to the Phallus Cowgirls in the SB. That was the 1977 team. I saw them beat KC at Mile High that year and I also was at the Conference/Championship game the same year at Mile High when we beat the Chokeland Traiters 20-17. What a good day THAT was. The ORANGE CRUSH, baby!
Who of the current players do you think will be in the ring of fame in the furture?
haha… I guess I’m now known as the “New Worder” (Worder is also made up)… and NO way in HECK I would have messed up on that… It was just to show how fortunate we were to have the greatest Bronco only be a Bronco…
BroncoAussie: Champ… Nalen (even though he is no longer current)…
and if they continue to do well on the feild, we’ll see Marshall, Royal, Clady, Harris, Doom, D.J., Stokely, Scheffler, and company can all make it…
at least one of those guys can be on it… It’s too soon to tell though… Most of our best players are young and you just can’t tell at this point… But if that list keeps it up and help win the big one…. I don’t see why ALL of them shouldn’t be on it…
Broncobailey99, actually, Elways 1st team was the Baltimore Colts. He just refused to play for them. As for Shannon, he went to Baltimore because he couldn’t get his contract money ironed out with Denver. Remember, it’s a business. As I recall, he was due for a new contract with big $$ and Denver couldn’t afford it. Plus, Shannon got another ring, so props to him for making a good business decision.
Elway’s 1st team/ only team was Denver… He never signed a deal with the Colts… and I’m sure if you ask a colt fan fromt that time period, they would have to agree w/ me haha… (but I know what you mean)… But technically he was never a Colt…
Yeah I agree the team is very young. But I thought Champ and Nalen for sure. But out of the other players you listed I think Clady is very likely and D.J would be a safe bet.
I think we have a very young team with alot of potential.
BroncoAussie, C. Bailey will make it. Nalen maybe. As for the new kids, too early to tell. With FA and the way kids are bouncing around now-a-days, it’s hard to predict. Marshall and Royal if they stick. Moreno if he stays and lives up to his hype. Clady, also. Put him right next to the Zim-man.
Dynamicdave, totally agree.
I CANT WAIT FOR THE SEASON TO START … SO EXCITED!!!
Question lets see who are the fans…. Who’s going to the FAN FAIR next month?
THE real fans – my back
Would love to go to the fan fair but its a little hard to get to when you live in Australia.
haha… I was gonna say it’s difficult when your 16 and have school to focus on and live in chino, California to make it… But yea… Far more difficult for you to make it haha…
ok for all of you comp wizards, find all the COLTS (balt amd indy) QBs. then figure what would have happened if Elway had signed with Bolt. you can start with Johnny Unitis (SP) and up with p manning. the S/B would have all new names on it.
WOW Australia…. damn thats a long way & Broncobailey99 yeah ur only 16 so maybe in a couple of years, unless u get a older person to come with u…. I live in Georgia, but im definitely going to go.
someday I’ll crash with my uncle who lives in Denver and go…
Finally something worth reading. Congrats to Sharpe… definitely deserves this. Don’t want to spoil this announcement but this most definitely should have been an HOF induction but hey I’ll take this. Could be a LOOOOONG shot for him or any other Bronco to get into the HOF… they hate us!!
And I’m glad to say I’m going to the fan fair… sad to say its for the first time. I’ve missed out on meeting some incredible players and coach but hopefully Champ will still be around, who knows with this crazy offseason! I’m really excited to go back home and be at the fan fair. Can’t wait!!!
With faith…
GO BRONCOS in ’09!!!!
07elway, long time no hear. Haven’t seen a comment from you in ages. Have fun at the fan fair and tell champ BroncoAussie says hi.
1) How did TD make it in before Shannon?
2) How long before Rod can be elected?
A tremendous player and an incredible s**t talker. Were he not a Broncos player, I probably wouldn’t be able to stand hearing him on CBS….. but since he was, ya gotta love his personality. Truly the greatest TE of all time. He has something Gonzalez does not (3 rings and the talent to back up his mouth).
Wilson should be a hofer as should sharp who did finish his career with the broncos wilson was drafted in 99 so I don’t know how he could have effected the mid 90′s but had he not been injured he had a good eight years of football left in him and could have gone down as one of the greatest ever any one know if he would come out of retirement.
its pretty hard to make it to the fan fair when your 14 years old and live in Lakeport, California.
and how about Matt Lepsis? he should probably make it to the ring of fame.
I am a true fan but I live in Vegas. I also have commitments to take care of here. My mom is fighting for her life in the hospital, I care for my dad and I teach martial arts to the city juvenile program. Kinda busy. But I never miss a game (I go to my Denver Broncos bar for the games). I am as die hard as the best of them. Can’t question a persons loyalty to the boys by showing or not showing up to a fan-fair. That would be like saying you’re not a fan if you weren’t at the Broncos SB’s.
Congrats, Shannon!!
I had the privilege of watching you many times, at the one and only Mile High and the new Mile High. I Was there to, too, when TD was inducted and hopefully I’ll be there for you too!! What great memories to ponder on, Sharpe, Elway, R. Smith, Atwater, D. Smith, Mecklenburg, TD, McCaffery, wow, good times, good times!
Go Broncos 2009!!!!
It’s nice that Shannon has been inducted into our Hall of Fame but he deserves better. Upon his retirement, statistically speaking, he was the best tight end to ever play the game (much like Peyton Manning, upon his retirement will be the best quarterback to play the game). Of course, there’s no question Peyton will be inducted so Shannon was screwed, there is NO OTHER way to say it. With that said, congrats Shannon. I’ll name one of my daughters after you.
Sorry to hear that about ur Moms health Dynamicdave… Don’t take what i said to heart, just wanted to see who was going from this broncos site. It seems like alot of people can’t make it
07elway, today I wore my orange Champ Bailey jersey. Yes, our orange jerseys rock and we won in them last season. I want them full-time. GO BRONCOS!!!
I think we need a combo of Blue jerseys and orange pants or orange jerseys and blue pants.