The Green Bay Packers are one of the most storied franchises in all of sports. Over the course of their 104-year history, they have had dozens of great players don their uniform on their way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Only their fiercest and oldest rival, the Chicago Bears, has more former players in the Hall of Fame.
Of course, one of the most recognizable Packers players in recent memory is three-time NFL MVP Brett Favre. While Favre became a more controversial figure in the twilight years of his career (and even more so in his retirement), there is no one who can deny that he is one of the greatest players of all-time, and not just in Packers history.
Favre, of course, first came to the Packers via a trade with the Atlanta Falcons in 1992. After taking over for an injured Don Majkowski, he held onto the starting job for the next 15 seasons, setting multiple franchise and NFL records in the process.
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter) the Hall of Fame quarterback credited his long career and success on the gridiron to one player in particular.
Former Green Bay Packers Quarterback Brett Favre Argues that Sterling Sharpe Should Be in the Hall of Fame
By the time Favre arrived in Green Bay, the Packers already had a bonified All-Pro wide receiver in Sterling Sharpe. After Favre arrived, though, Sharpe’s stats and performance went to the next level. From 1992-1994, Sharpe averaged 104 receptions, 1,284 yards, and 14 touchdowns per season.
During that time, Sharpe also made three Pro Bowls, was named First Team All-Pro twice, and finished in the top-eight of MVP voting twice.
But while the numbers show that Sharpe, who was already great, became even better when Favre arrived, the Hall of Fame quarterback himself credits his old teammate for all of his career success:
My career would have not been as productive nor long,if not for Sterling Sharpe my first 2 years.Sterling was a man amongst boys,he also was one of the smartest players in my 20 years.I think 84 without question should be in https://t.co/JwrhY6AxPD cut short by neck injury! 84HOF
— Brett Favre (@BrettFavre) June 13, 2024
As Favre notes, Sharpe’s career was cut short by a neck injury that he suffered at the end of the 1994 season. He still ranks third in Packers’ history in receiving yards (8,134), fourth in receiving touchdowns (65), and third in receptions (595).
It Is Past Time for Green Bay Packers Legend Sterling Sharpe to Be Inducted into the Hall of Fame
The main reason that Sharpe has not been elected into the Hall of Fame yet is because of his injury-shortened career. He played just seven seasons in the NFL, but never missed a single game.
There are currently 10 players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame who played just seven seasons in the NFL, including notables Gale Sayers, Terrell Davis, and Tony Boselli. The legendary running back Earl Campbell played just eight seasons in the NFL.
Having established that a shorter career should not keep him out, it is also interesting to see which Hall of Fame wide receivers Sharpe has outperformed. He currently has more receiving yards than Hall of Famers:
- Don Hutson
- Ozzie Newsome
- Bobby Mitchell
- Jackie Smith
- Drew Pearson
- Bob Hayes
He has just as many or more receiving touchdowns as Hall of Famers:
- Michael Irvin
- Charlie Joiner
- Bobby Mitchell
- John Stallworth
- Dante Lavelli
- Shannon Sharpe
- Elroy Hirsch
- Dave Casper
- Lynn Swann
Favre is right. It is high time that Sharpe was elected.
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