During the NFL Honors ceremony late last week, it was revealed that former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, at long last, had been voted for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was the only individual chosen by the senior committee for induction, joining modern era players Antonio Gates, Jared Allen, and Eric Allen.
It is the smallest Pro Football Hall of Fame class since 2005.
Unfortunately, former Packers head coach Mike Holmgren did not garner the 80% of votes needed by the committee to get in as well. With former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick eligible for induction next year, and since the Hall of Fame only allows one coach/contributor to be nominated every year, the 76-year-old Holmgren may have to wait a few more years.
Former Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Sterling Sharpe Had Given Up Hope of Making the Pro Football Hall of Fame
One of the most enjoyable parts about the announcement of each Pro Football Hall of Fame class, for fans at least, is getting to see the videos of each former player finding out that they have been selected.
This was certainly true for Sterling, whose younger brother, Shannon Sharpe (who said in his won Hall of Fame speech that he was the second-best football player in his family) got the opportunity to reveal the news.
This is THE PROUDEST moment of my life. Every thing I’ve done has been influenced by you, Sterling Sharpe. I can truly say you’ve been a father figure 2 me. I’d of given my jacket long ago 2 place you in the Hall. Your hard work stood the test. Welcome to the Hall of Fame bro🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/nptUQ7e23U
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) February 7, 2025
During the video, the elder Sharpe can be heard saying, “When I walked away in ’95, I don’t think anyone in the world was happier than me because I did what I wanted to do. I don’t know how to feel, or how to react, or how to act, how to behave. I just know this honor is going to take something. Some getting used to because I never wanted this.”
Whether or not he wanted it, Sterling cannot be oblivious to the fact that his brother and many, many of his former Packers teammates have been calling for the Pro Football Hall of Fame to do the right thing and induct him for years.
Green Bay Packers Legend Gilbert Brown Has Been Advocating for Sterling Sharpe’s Hall of Fame Induction for Years
One of these teammates is Packers Hall of Famer and Super Bowl XXXI champion Gilbert Brown. In multiple interviews with Wisconsin Sports Heroics and other outlets, the Gravedigger has shamed Hall of Fame voters for not putting Sharpe in the Hall of Fame.
Reached for comment regarding his former teammate finally entering the Hall, Brown said, “It was a shame that he had to wait this long. But his time has come. And I’m very happy for him because as a young guy watching him, being able to see those things, I mean to me, I’ve never seen a guy with his work ethic accomplish the things he did. He did what he wanted to do and he put himself in that position.
“And to see him have to wait this long, it was a thing that was a shame. You know he’s better than the other receivers in there. If he had had more time, he would have been one of the greatest of all time. He loved the weight room. That’s what I think was one of his keys to being successful. And I’m just so glad. To see Sterling Sharpe’s $1000 smile, that’s what it’s all about.”
The Hall of Fame has omitted many players who are deserving of induction, but they finally righted one of their wrongs with Sharpe. Hopefully there will be more overlooked players and coaches joining him in the near future.
More Green Bay Packers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
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- Packers Trade Proposal Sees Team Acquire 4x Pro Bowler to Replace Jaire Alexander
- Packers Could Lose Center of Defense to Bengals, Per Report
- Packers Legend Sterling Sharpe Has Surprising Reaction to Hall of Fame News
- Packers QB Jordan Love Actively Recruits 4x Pro Bowl Pass Rusher to Join Green Bay
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