Sharpe, Sterling
Football
b. April 6, 1965, Chicago, IL
An All-American at the University of South Carolina in 1987, had 169 career receptions for 2,497 yards and 17 touchdowns, all school records at the time.
Sharpe was chosen in the first round of the National Football League's 1988 college draft by the Green Bay Packers. He was the seventh player chosen.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Sharpe led the NFC with 90 receptions for 1,423 yards and 1 touchdowns in his second season. After catching 67 passes in 1990 and 69 in 1991, he set an NFL record with 106 catches in 1992, when he also led with 1,461 yards and 13 touchdown receptions. Sharpe broke his own record the following season, catching 112 passes for 1,274 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was the first player to have more than 100 receptions in two consecutive seasons.
Though not exceptionally fast, Sharpe had great moves that made him difficult to cover, and his strength and leaping ability often allowed him to take passes away from defensive backs when he was covered.
Sharpe started 112 consecutive regular season games, despite a painful "turf toe" injury and damaged Achilles tendon in 1993. However, he was forced to retire after the 1994 season because of a neck injury.
In his seven seasons with the Packers, Sharpe was named to the Pro Bowl five times. He led the NFL in receptions three times, in receiving yardage once, and in touchdown catches twice.
Since his retirement, Sharpe has worked as TV analyst for ESPN, the NFL Network, and NBC.
Sharpe's younger brother, Shannon, was a tight end in the NFL from 1990 through 2004, mostly with the Denver Broncos.