Packers: Canton is long overdue for Sterling Sharpe
It’s a shame that not many football lovers understand the greatness of one Sterling Sharpe.
He was Calvin Johnson before Calvin Johnson and no, I don’t mean by his size and stature. Johnson’s career, most would say, was definitely shorter than it could’ve been. But he created a Hall-of-Fame legacy in his nine-year career.
Sharpe’s career was cut short due to a neck injury. He only played seven career seasons (1988-1994). Make no mistake about it, the Green Bay Packers Hall-of-Famer deserves a bust in Canton, Ohio.
In his seven career seasons, he was named to the Pro Bowl five times. He was also named a three-time first-team All-Pro.
In 1992, the former South Carolina Gamecock led the NFL in receptions, touchdowns, and yards. He did not miss a single game during his playing career. He finished his career with 595 receptions, 8,134 receiving yards, and 65 receiving touchdowns.
In five of his seven career seasons, he eclipsed 1,100 yards. The only thing he is missing is a Super Bowl ring. He certainly would’ve been a part of the 1996 Super Bowl-champion Packers team.
He finished his career with more receptions than Lance Alworth, Steve Largent, and Calvin Johnson. He finished with more receiving yards than Drew Pearson, Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch, and Packers legend Don Hutson.
Sharpe finished his career with more receiving touchdowns than John Stallworth, Lynn Swann, and Dante Lavelli.
Each of those players that I compared to Sharpe to are in the Hall of Fame.
Sharpe belongs in the Hall of Fame forever. If he did not suffer a career-ending neck injury, he would’ve produced a career that would’ve only rivaled Jerry Rice. We could’ve been looking at the greatest receiver of all-time, especially in terms of overall play.
His statistics would have backed it up.
But even with a shortened career, Sharpe proved he is one of the best to ever do it.
The Georgia native was not the freak that Megatron was (5-foot-11, 202 pounds), but he was elite in every category. He had soft hands. He was fast (4.4 speed).
He was able to play at a high level with multiple QBs (Don Majkowski, Brett Favre), which is something that a lot of receivers have a difficult time with. He could also run every route. He was very solid all the way around.
No. 84 deserves his own bronze bust in Canton, Ohio.
For a franchise that has had some great receivers walk through it’s building like Don Hutson, James Lofton, Antonio Freeman, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams, Sterling Sharpe ranks top five in receptions (third), yards (third), touchdowns (fourth), and yards per game (first).
That is why he has his name in the Green Bay Packers Ring of Honor. That is one of the many reasons why he deserves a spot in Canton.