When it’s all about Shannon Sharpe, where does one start or leave off?
His selection Saturday to the Pro Football Hall of Fame-the fourth Denver Broncos player to be elected into the illustrious honor society in the last eight years-has already led to a spate of stories and columns about the great tight end.
I thought I would offer my own take on Shannon Sharpe one more time, with apologies if you have read this before.
His selection had to happen sooner or later, and Sharpe did not make it due to numbers his first two years of eligibility-for example, when the voters decided to go for the very deserving Mr. Ralph Wilson, his age was a factor in putting him in right away, probably costing Sharpe a spot. Same thing happened this year-not to Sharpe, but to someone-when they went for the very deserving Ed Sabol, who is 95 years old. Ed has waited in enough lines in his life and career, he should never be in another.
So Shannon altogether waited two years, not a very long time compared to the 18-year wait endured by the elegant and classy wide receiver Lynn Swann.
Shannon set the gold standard in a lot of ways.
It is now fashionable to talk about Tony Gonzalez as the all-time reception leader at the tight end position-more catches, yards, and touchdowns now than Sharpe.
However…..
When he retired, Sharpe was number one in all those categories, plus all time Pro Bowl honors for tight ends, but he really made his mark with postseason play.
Just think, the next playoff win that Tony Gonzalez participates in will be the very first one of his career.
Shannon had 12 straight postseason wins at one point, a total almost impossible to duplicate, finishing with 13 overall, including three Super Bowls.
But not only was he a part of all that winning, he did the talking in advance of the games, and always backed it up with his play.
He came out of Savannah State as a late draft choice but brought with him some staggering pass catching figures. I remember the day, and I remember thinking that if he caught all those passes in college, he likely would catch a lot as a pro as well. Sometimes things are simpler than we make them out to be.
One of the biggest plays in the 1997 AFC Championship Game at Pittsburgh was John Elway calling Sharpe’s number on the last big third down play of the game for the Broncos, with Sharpe guaranteeing his Hall of Fame quarterback that he would be there and get the ball, no matter what. A huge play, one of the biggest in Broncos history. Sharpe backed up everything he ever said.
I remember after we won the first Super Bowl and received the championship rings for Super Bowl XXXII, with no announcement or fanfare of any type Shannon gave his ring to his brother Sterling. Everyone knows how close they were, but many people still do not know Shannon performed that ultimate act. Sterling wears the Super Bowl ring to this day. Months later, after the word spread quietly within the organization, Mike Shanahan just as quietly called Shannon to his office and gave him another ring. I don’t know who paid for it, but it was a very classy gesture.
I remember when we won the second of our back-to-back Super Bowls, beating the Atlanta Falcons, after talking to all the press, showering and dressing, Shannon opened a duffle bag and pulled out a leather jacket that already was engraved with the logos of both games, noting in bold lettering that the Broncos were back-to-back champs. He put on his jacket and exited the locker room. He was ready for the moment. Sharpe was always ready for the moment.
He was ready when he went to the Baltimore Ravens, too, helping them to win their only world title before being brought back to Denver, where he always belonged.
I remember a time during a busy week when a player had made a big commitment to talk to about a dozen media members at one time, by phone-in our business, it is called a conference call-but then backed out, literally, at the second I was going to place the call. With barely seconds to spare, I walked over to Shannon and told him the situation with a “What in the world am I going to do?” look on my face. He just whispered to me, “Get them on the phone, tell them he had a commitment, but that Sharpe will do it if that’s OK.” Sharpe was one of the game’s superstars and the press at the other end of the line could barely believe their good luck in getting Sharpe as a “substitute.” The point is, he completely solved a problem for me, acting once more like the captain that he was.
He used to say that “your locker is a microcosm” of your life, and he would routinely take all the contents out, shoes, papers, playbook, etc. and get down on his knees and clean it out with one of those hand vacuums. This man was meticulous.
Like all teams, the Bronco served food to the players every day, to make sure they got a hot meal.
Sharpe brought his own. A broiled no skin chicken breast, and green vegetables. Every day.
On Fridays we served pizza, and Shannon would often have a slice with his teammates. But only as a matter of camaraderie, not nutrition.
He was one of a kind. A lot of men are self made men, but most of them stopped the work halfway through the project. Sharpe did nothing halfway, and he did not stop halfway on his journey to the Hall of Fame, either.
As I said to him the day he retired, “See you in Canton, Shannon.”
Nice anecdotes Mr Saccomano, than you for the insight.
12 post season wins in a row has to be some kind of record in the entire NFL for any player I would think, at least in the SB era, absolutely amazing! How smart was he to move on to the Ravens to get that third trophy following our two…
Big kudos to you Shannon for always being the ultimate professional with your body all those years even if your mouth got you in trouble here and there. An ultra self disciplined man with a loose tongue personality, no way we’ll ever see one quite like him ever again.
Once again, congrats to Shannon Sharpe!! Your the best TE in my book.
Great article, Jim! Congratulations Shannon Sharpe! Couldn’t be more deserving of this honor!
Our Bronco`s are finally getting some long love that`s been long over-due. It`s about time!
How about getting some oldie`s in there next year like Gradishar and Mecklenburg.
I remember many bloggers asking what Royal was operated on, it’s the hip:
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—Denver Broncos wide receiver Eddie Royal is recovering from an offseason hip operation.
Team spokesman Patrick Smyth says the Broncos are hopeful Royal “will be ready for OTAs in late May.”
WOW! What can be said? Shannon Sharpe was bar none the greatest TE to play football. He changed the way the position was played. Not to many men have done that in any sport or position. I love this guy for his work ethic, his play, his confidence, yes confidence, not arrogance, his compassion, his love of his brother, i could go on and on. If you have a son and you want him to learn what it takes to get to the top, show him Shannon Sharpe, not just the football side but the man side to. This man is a true hero to which boys and young men should look up to. Even in his trash talking, he was clean, something young men should look up to!
CONGRATULATIONS SHANNON SHARPE!!!!!
I saw that a little earlier today on the NFL news board. If a CBA is agreed upon in the near future, I wonder if Eddie Royal is going to be traded to the Skins. There`s been speculation that Shanny would want Royal with the Skins.
Yeah, I talked about that multiple times a whole month ago right here. It’s obvious why Royal would interest Shanny, he was his draft pick in 2008 and produced like out of this world for Shanny that year, I personally say go for it if it’s a second round pick, but it’s all irrelevant for now with the CBA seemingly way far away from being anywhere close to resolve.
Sharpe is like the Jerry Rice of TE’s, ultimate body and game preparation and attention to details and appearance like the locker vacuum, with one big difference, Sharpe is fun as hell and Rice has the personality of a cardboard figure.
Ya, and we are set at WR, pretty deep. As for a CBA I`ll keep my fingers crossed. Like we said this usually drags out until the very end. It totally sucks for the fans.
One of my all time favorite plays involved John Elway to Shannon Sharpe. We were playing the Seahawks and I think it was in 1991. Shannon was going up the middle of the field and John ducked under to ellude a tackle and as soon as Elway ducked, he immediately threw it to Shannon who was wide open with no defenders in site. Shannon went all the way for a TD. It was a beautiful play from John to Shannon. John was the one who made it happen but Sharpe was all alone with an easy TD. When I think of Shannon Sharpe that play always comes to mind.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLAYERS OF ALL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When people say STUD – I think of Shannon Sharpe! This guy was not only a GREAT player, but an outstanding teammate! He kept the locker room laughing and kept things FUN all the TIME!!!
He is still one of the most ENTERTAINING people I know and can make me laugh until I cry! ((((In fact one of his funniest after football bits – has him CRYING – CLASS-SICK!!! LOL))))
I don’t know if this is his original quote, but I first heard him say, “THEY PAY ME TO PRACTICE, BUT THEY GET THE GAMES FOR FREE”!!!
His quote about calling the National Guard while “Killing the Patriots” was one for the ages!
But the main thing that makes me respect this guy the most is that he GAVE his first Super Bowl RING to his brother – who as many know was on pace to break even Jerry Rices RECORDS when he was forced to leave the GAME due to injury! He gave his BROTHER his SUPERBOWL RING and that makes me respect him as a person, a player, a brother, and a MAN!!!
I like to think he was rewarded with two more Superbowl rings (one with Denver and one with Baltimore) as a result of his kindness and generousity!!!
The first time I ever say him play LIVE was in 1996 at the original MILE HIGH STADIUM against the CHIEFS! In that game he had a HUGE game and at one END ZONE they had an INCREDIBLE HULK banner with his jersey. And after one of his SCORES he tapped the banner with the end of the FOOTBALL!!! He was an amazing player and the REASON they cam up with the word MISMATCH when reffering to NFL Football!!!
THANKS SHANNON for all you have done for DENVER and THE PRO FOOTBALL GAME!!! And most of all thanks for entertaining the masses!!!
You’re THE MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
True2Broncos, The Hulk banner is a classic. Everytime Sharpe got a TD he had to go and tap it. So much fun!
One other thing I’ve got to mention – is the way he took care of himself and as mentioned above ate only good food really took care of his body!!!
I don’t recall him missing many games at all – AND WHEN I THINK OF WHAT A PHYSICAL SPECIMEN THIS GUY WAS!!! HE PUT MANY BODY BUILDER TO SHAME!!!
YOU ARE THE MAN!!! I CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR YOUR INDUCTION SPEACH!!! LOL
KEEP-EM LAUGHING BUDDY!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!
Oh “strandoftds” – I could and do go on for hours about that GUY!!!
HE WAS ONE OF THE BEST BRONCOS OF ALL TIME – ALONG WITH ELWAY, T.D., ATWATER, and AL WILSON!!!
I always got a kick out of Shannon on the field. He never shut up. And Shannon always back-up what he said with his canny ability. Most of the time he shut-up the opposition.
Atwater is one of my top five Bronco`s of all time. I hope Steve gets in one day to the HOF.
And I`m sure everybody knows that older brother Sterling is gong to introduce his younger brother Shannon at the HOF. That`ll be awesome.
Way to go Shannon!
Congrats Shannon!
True2- Don’t forget about Rod Smith and Eddie Mac! Tom Nalen also comes to mind. We had a complete team back then. I think that Fox will put the pieces together and win us AFC West Champs again. The CBA is pissing me off as much as any of us and I would imagine things should pan out within the next few weeks.
If that’s the case, Orton should be traded for a 2nd rnd, sign Champ and draft Fairley. If Shanny wants Royal and we decide to make a move for a good draft pick it wouldn’t break my heart since we are deep in that aspect.
Two more incredible players who come to mind are Louis Wright and Tombstone Jackson.
I would throw Romo in there but……………….:P
congrats Shannon you were always going to go to canton. Now if the wrighters could just open their eyes and see that Terrell Davis belongs their no matter how short his carreer was he did more in his short time then most can only dream of.
TD- in his first 4 years before the knee injury at least 1,000yds and over 4.5 yrds a carry. League MVP Superbowl MVP 2,000 yd rusher and I know theirs more im missing. I know he only played for a few years but he was the best when he was in.
‘How diversified is your portfolio?’
Mr. Sharpe, you my friend are a model of excellence!
Thank you too Mr. Saccomano. I always enjoy your ‘the rest of the story’ contributions.
Are the parties involved making progress on the CBA? Uh, why not?
There’s a lot of Broncos who should be in the HOF who never will be:
Rich Jackson
Lyle Alzado
Louis Wright
Steve Atwater
Al Dennison (Doesn’t soiund right. First to catch 100 passes in a season)
Keith Bishop
Randy Gradishar (Only way in is Oldtimers selection as his player elegibiliby is over.)
Next Bronco in HOF:
Champ Bailey 1st ballot
Rod Smith 70% chance. There’s a lot of WR’s who have better numbers that Rod who’ll never get in.
Tom Nalen 40% chance. Two HOF linemen from same team, same era is rare.
Jason Elam 10% chance. Not over 2000 points, but holds several Kicker records: Most consecutive PAT’s, Most seasons with over 100 points, most consecutive seasons over 100 points. Longest FG.
Best thing about these past 2 Super Bowls is that at the beginning of each, we’ve seen 2 Broncos get their names called to be inducted into the HOF. 2 years in a row… the “genius’” in Canton finally got a brain!
Shannon Sharpe is easily one of my all-time favorite Broncos. Classy, yet over-opinionated (I echo that one, ahaha) and very deserving of this prestigious honor. Can hardly wait for August and hear his speech. Will be one that no Bronco fan will forget. Will make for some funny moments. You the man, Shannon, you the man!!
2011 – YEAR OF THE BRONCOS!!! HA, how’s that for a Chinese New Year! ahahaha
If and when there is a 2011 season, here is how the odds of winning the SB have been set:
The Broncos opened Monday with 60-1 odds of winning next season’s Super Bowl. Those are the fourth-longest opening odds in the NFL, ahead of only Arizona (65-1), Seattle (100-1), Buffalo and Carolina (150-1).
The Packers are 7-1 favorites to repeat next season. Of course, repeat NFL champions are a rarity. Only New England (2004-05) and the Broncos (1998-99) have repeated since 1995.
San Diego has the best Super Bowl odds among AFC West teams, at 10-1. The Chargers join Pittsburgh and the Patriots at 10-1 to win it all.
Kansas City is 35-1 and the Raiders are 40-1 — an unspoken prediction the Broncos will finish last in their division.
Glad to know Elway still believes we need to build primarly through the draft and not through FA as has been the case here for way too long, and considering we might not have a FA this year, it seems like the perfect time to get the hang of it:
The Green Bay Packers, who won Super Bowl XLV on Sunday, have been committed to building a contender through the NFL draft.
Broncos executive vice president of football operations John Elway has said his team needs to do the same, which would be a significant change for the Denver franchise.
In the last week of the 2010 regular season, the Broncos had only eight players on their 53-man roster who were selected by the team before the 2009 draft. And only one of those players — linebacker D.J. Williams — remained from the 2004 or 2005 drafts.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, like the Packers, built their team through the draft.
In compiling the totals below, NFL reporter Jeff Legwold counted undrafted rookies if they were signed immediately after a draft and hadn’t been with another team before making the 53-man roster.
The Broncos currently have 24 picks or signed undrafted rookies still on their 53-man roster or injured reserve from the 2004-10 drafts. The Packers have 39. The Steelers have 33.
Pretty telling tale!
I agree they are all deserving I just think for all the things TD did he should already be in. atwater should of been in first year he is one of the best to play safety.
Legwold telling us D and QB in that order are our two main areas of concern to get to the level of the Packers and Steelers:
Executive vice president of football operations John Elway said this past week that “fixing the defense” is the team’s top priority as it enters the offseason.
And the Broncos simply have to answer the quarterback question. Aaron Rodgers overcame the lack of a running attack, dropped passes and an aggressive Steelers defense because he was staggeringly accurate from the pocket.
Accuracy is paramount. Decision-making is paramount. And Rodgers was next-level good on both of those issues Sunday night.
“He’s one of the best, if not the best, in the game right now,” Packers wide receiver Donald Driver said.
So whether it’s Tim Tebow or Kyle Orton or a quarterback to be named later, the Broncos need an accurate, decisive quarterback who does the majority of work in the pocket.
Rodgers is plenty mobile and able to extend the play with the best of scramblers. But he won the trophy by standing tall, behind his offensive line, setting his feet and getting the ball to the right guys.
So, the Broncos knew they had plenty of ground to cover before Sunday night’s game. After watching two well-built teams fight it out, they now know just how much.
It didn’t sound like a big vote of confidence for Tebow from Legwold, kind of the same approach to Tebow Elway has had so far, very well tempered enthusiasm to say the least. Sounds like by now Tebow has better have figured out that his best shot to get the starting job is improving his play in the pocket regardless of all his accomplishments outside of it. Many think the way big Ben gets it done outside the pocket is an anomaly and no one else should try to duplicate it, and Elway seems to be in full agreement with that specially since it’s when he stayed in the pocket in his latter years with a great running game to go with it that he was able to win it all.
Tebow starting is not as a shoe in as most everyone seems to think, specially since Tebow may have no off season whatsoever to work on his in the pocket skills.
If you guys are really wanting to make a fair assesment of who is worthy for the HOF or not out of our Bronco players all time, you need to start by looking no further than to the members of our ring of fame:
23 Austin “Goose” Gonsoulin, S, 1960–1966, inducted 1984
87 Rich Jackson, DE, 1967–1972, inducted 1984
44 Floyd Little, RB, 1967–1975, inducted 1984
87 Lionel Taylor, WR, 1960–1966, inducted 1984
– Gerald H Phipps, Owner, 1961–1981, inducted 1985
12 Charley Johnson, QB, 1972–1975, inducted 1986
70 Paul Smith, DE, 1968–1978, inducted 1986
18 Frank Tripucka, QB, 1960–1963, inducted 1986
36 Billy Thompson, S, 1969–1981, inducted 1987
7 Craig Morton, QB, 1977–1982, inducted 1988
25 Haven Moses, WR, 1972–1981, inducted 1988
15 Jim Turner, K, 1971–1979, inducted 1988
53 Randy Gradishar, LB, 1974–1983, inducted 1989
57 Tom Jackson, LB, 1973–1986, inducted 1992
20 Louis Wright, S, 1975–1986, inducted 1993
7 John Elway, QB, 1983–1998, inducted 1999
77 Karl Mecklenburg, LB, 1983–1995, inducted 2001
49 Dennis Smith, S, 1981–1994, inducted 2001
65 Gary Zimmerman, OT, 1993–1997, inducted 2003
27 Steve Atwater, S, 1989–1998, inducted 2005
30 Terrell Davis, RB, 1995–2001, inducted 2007
84 Shannon Sharpe, TE, 1990–1999, 2002–2003, inducted 2009
Will Al Wilson be the next ringer?
Or Tom Nalen?
I vote for Rod Smith.
A vote for Simon Fletcher.
Simon Fletcher had 97.5 career sacks, the most by a Bronco even to this day. From 1989 through 1993 Simon Fletcher set an NFL record for 10 concescutive games with a sack, (who recently tied by Cowboys DeMarcus Ware). In 1992 Simon Fletcher had 16 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 99 tackles. And with this great achievement still didn`t make it to the Pro Bowl. Flecher had a Superb career, all with the Denver Bronco`s and not once had a Pro Bowl appearance. And he`s not even in our own Ring Of Fame.
Agreed. To this point, Simon Fletcher has not been added to the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame. I think that is really a shame that the team’s all time sack leader who played a team record 172 straight games has not yet been honored.
I would think that Simon should make the Bronco`s Ring of Fame some day. I hope so.
Cool. I didn`t know that, 172 games played consecutively. Thats impressive.
As far as pocket skills goes Orton is aweful… he walks into sacks instead of evading them. Bottom line i will not support Orton as our #1 QB. I did last year and he was aweful. He can laugh off his mistakes on another team. I want a QB with big play capability, and let our run game take care of most of the short stuff.
I read this in the paper the other day.
The reason the owners have opted out of the current CBA is because after the owners make 1 billion dollars in profits they have to split the eremaining profits with the players 60% 40% in the players favor and last year they made nearly 10 billion. I am really upset with the owners they made a deal and then backed out of it because they decided after the fact that it was unfair for them. The CBA should have lasted thorugh 2012 now they need to man up and deal with it.
That will not happen however, the players know they got the better of the deal last time and they will have to make the move to go back down to earth towards the owners, both sides will have to meet somewhere in the middle if we stand to have a chance at a new CBA.
Don’t think for a second that Tim Tebow will not have a place to workout if there is a lockout. He will either go to his hometown of Jacksonville and workout ther at his old H.S. stadium or to Gator country and work out there. He will find a place to work on his skills and improve. He for one did not go to Hawaii for a vacation. He knew HE had work to do.
TT needs a full starting season… one thing is for sure he will not learn anything else from standing on the sidelines watching Ortons lack of ability. So true weatherman… that or his old-fashion workouts at his home!!!!!
Go D and TT
“strandoftds” – I definately agree Simon Fletcher needs to be in the Denver Broncos “Ring of Honor”!!!
But honestly outside of Steve Atwater – I’m not sure any of the others mentioned deserve – HOF recognition??? I’m just trying be objective!
My heart says TD should be, but unfortunatley – running backs don’t last long in the NFL – unless they are a FREAK of nature like Emitt Smith or Marcus Allen and the like.
With that being said I would love to see Steve Atwater and TD at least have a change at the HOF. Although many other great players have been mentioned – I can’t see any of them getting the nod from Cantin, OH.
GO BRONCOS!!!
Working out in Florida won’t carry much weight with Fox, that’s just the nature of the beast Tebow will be up against if there is no off season. Not in Tebow’s advantage, that’s for sure.
It’s funny because I always liked Dennis Smith better than Atwater, it just goes to show one’s favorite player depends on in what era you made your teeth with your favorite team.
And the makeover continues: Titans fired offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger.
Didn’t Titans just interview him for HC? … Correct. Beat cancer, interviews for HC, gets fired. What a league.
Bay, I fully agree, but, the point that I was trying to make was that IF there is a lockout and he can not workout at Denver like he is now every day, then he will find someplace that he can workout and not violate any of their precious rules of no contact with anyone, or whatever it is. He just isn’t going to sit and wait on the lockout to end to resume his continued conditioning, etc.