Sterling Sharpe is, finally, a Pro Football Hall of Famer. During the NFL Honors Show on Thursday, the NFL announced that the retired Green Bay Packers legendary wide receiver is finally going to Canton.
Sharpe, who played seven seasons in the NFL and abruptly retired in his prime because of a neck abnormality, was inducted as a senior candidate—players who have been retired for at least 25 years. Under new Hall of Fame rules, these candidates compete with coaches and contributors.
The wide receiver had a short career in the NFL, and that’s probably the reason why he hadn’t gotten in yet. However, the 1988 first-round pick was one of the most prolific offensive players in football until the injury ended his career.
He had five 1,000+ receiving-yard seasons in the league, including First-Team All-Pro selections in 1989, 1992, and 1993. Sharpe was the NFL receiving yards leader in 1992 and the touchdowns leader in 1992 and 1994. In his final season in 1994, Sharpe had 94 catches for 1,119 yards, and 18 touchdowns.
In total, the star receiver finished his career with 112 games, 595 receptions, 8,134 receiving yards, and 65 touchdowns.
The other finalists in the senior category were linebacker Maxie Baughan, offensive tackle Jim Tyrer, head coach Mike Holmgren, and NFL co-founder Ralph Hay.