Sterling Sharpe’s enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was not only an emotional one, but also a historic one.
The older brother of former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe’s enshrinement to the illustrious halls in Canton, Ohio marked the first time that two brothers were both inducted, after the former Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens TE was part of the Class of 2011.
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Sterling’s emotional HOF speech
As part of his enshrinement speech, the 60-year-old who spent his entire career as a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers emotionally honored his little brother and even gifted him his newly-bestowed HOF gold jacket.
“Everything I did athletically, everything I did was for an audience of one…” Sterling said, referring to his younger brother.
Sterling then invited Shannon up to the stage to stand beside him as he continued his speech.
“This is why I played football,” Sterling said, wrapping his arm around his younger brother, who had tears streaming down his face.
“This is why I got out of bed; it wasn’t work. It was because of this right here.
“Before I leave you, I want to do two things. The most precious gift I’ve ever received is the Super Bowl ring. … I wear this ring because of love. You gave me this not knowing you were going to get another one. And I prayed to God: ‘Please, God, let him get another.’ God blessed him with two.
“The second thing is, the last time I was here, you said that you were the only pro football player in the Hall of Fame that could say that you were the second-best player in your own family.
“I agree with that statement, but it would be an extreme privilege. … for you to be the only player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with two gold jackets. You see, you have to learn to follow before you can lead.”
Sharpe was part of a 2025 class that also featured Jared Allen, Eric Allen and Antonio Gates.
But Sterling had to bide his time to be named in the Hall of Fame, after his career was cut short due to a neck injury that required surgery.
Nonetheless, in just seven seasons Sterling was named a first team All-Pro three times, was invited to the Pro Bowl five times, and was second in the league for receptions and receiving yards, and third in touchdowns.
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Only the great Jerry Rice was ahead of him in each category.
Sterling finished his career having amassed 8,134 receiving yards from 595 receptions, and 65 touchdowns while averaging 13.7 yards per reception.
Forced to retire in 1994, Sharpe was unable to be a part of the 1996 Packers team that won the Super Bowl.
As a gesture of goodwill, his brother — who had won Super Bowl XXXI with the Broncos in 1997 — gifted Sterling his first ring, unknowing that he would go on to finish his career having won three.
Now, the gesture has been repaid 28 years later.
Shannon’s firing from ESPN was revealed just days before
Entering into the enshrinement weekend, though, it was Shannon who had dominated the headlines after it was announced that he was being fired from his broadcasting role at ESPN.
Having asked ESPN not to publicly announce his departure before his brother was given his flowers, the news was instead released just days before.
Shannon took to his Nightcap podcast, which he co-hosts alongside Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson, to profusely apologise for overshadowing the achievements of his older brother and role model.
That followed an ex-girlfriend who had accused him of sexual assault in a lawsuit seeking $50 million, claims which Sharpe vehemently denied with the case being resolved out of court in July.
“I’m sure everybody’s heard the news by now that I will not be returning to ESPN,” Shannon said in a video posted to social media.
“I found out this information a little earlier in the week, and really, the only thing I asked was, guys, could we wait until Monday? My brother’s going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“I know this would… this coming out will overshadow everything that he’s worked his entire life for. And unfortunately, it didn’t happen that way.”
Sterling didn’t see it that way, though, with Shannon later recalling what his brother had said to him in light of the situation.
The media personality added: “He said, ‘Bro, stop apologizing. You don’t have to apologize. I’m your big bro. I’m going to love you regardless. We all make mistakes. I love you.’ “
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