Sterling Sharpe not a semi-finalist for the Hall of Fame
November 30th, 2009 | by adamburnett |Sterling Sharpe put up numbers in an abbreviated career that stand up against potential Hall of Fame wide receiver candidates of his era. Sharpe was a big physical receiver that withstood vicious shots over the middle and had enough speed to stretch the field. Dennis Hopper said it best, “Sterling’s like a freight train with stick-um.” Sharpe played from 1988 to 1994 but in his short time he left his mark on the NFL record book.
In 1992, Sharpe broke Art Monk’s record of 106 receptions with 108. Sharpe won the wide receivers Triple Crown leading the league with 108 catches, 1,461 yards, and 13 touchdowns. Don Hutson (1936, 1941, 1942, 1943, and 1944), Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsh (1951), Pete Pihos (1953), Raymond Berry (1959) Jerry Rice (1990) and Steve Smith (2005) are the only other receivers to accomplish this feat. The first four on this list are enshrined in the Hall; Rice will be entering shortly, and Steve Smith has a chance. Then in 1993, Sharpe broke his own record with 112 catches. Sharpe became the first player in the history of the NFL to have consecutive seasons of 100 plus catches. While in his final season in 1994, Sharpe’s 18 touchdowns were at the time the second most in a single season in league history. Sharpe was a five time all pro selection, led the NFL in receptions three times and in receiving touchdowns twice.
The case against Sharpe going to Canton has some valid points. Some will argue that the Packers went to the NFC Conference Championship game the season following his retirement. Then, the Packers in the Super Bowl the following campaigns. Brett Favre grew as a player and was named the NFL MVP the three seasons following Sharpe’s departure. Robert Brooks stepped up to be the lead dog with a 102 catches for 1,497 yards and 13 touchdowns. Brooks however didn’t get selected to make the trip to Hawaii. Edgar Bennett and Dorsey Levens also became more involved in the passing attack. Mark Chmura made the pro bowl with 54 catches 679 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Super Bowl squads were balanced offensively and spread the wealth to a plethora of talented backs and receivers. I believe this team was beginning its upward climb just as Sharpe’s career came to an abrupt end. I don’t feel the Packers got better because Sharpe left. Ron Wolf’s drafts and free agent signings from 1992-1995 helped fill out the roster and eventually turn the team into a champion.
The single season record for receptions changed four consecutive seasons in the 1990’s. Sharpe set and then reset the record in 1992 and 1993. Cris Carter broke the record in 1994 with 122 catches, Herman Moore then passed Carter in 1995 with 123 catches. Since the 1990 campaign, every league leader has had over 100 catches with the exception of O.J. McDuffie in 1198 with only 90 catches. Sharpe ranks 48th with 595 career receptions, however most of the players on the list couldn’t carry his jockstrap. As the game evolves, numbers from previous generations get passed by each season. Sharpe’s numbers have been passed by, but receivers today play in a game that’s officiated to benefit the offense. It’s gotten to the point where I’m waiting for defensive backs to get penalized for sneezing on a wide receiver after five yards.
Another knock on Sharpe’s Hall credentials is that his career was too short by only playing seven seasons. The Hall of Fame is for the best of the best and some feel that seven seasons isn’t enough to merit enshrinement. There are a number of Sharpe’s contemporaries that had longer careers and subsequently put up better numbers. Jerry Rice is the greatest receiver of all time and will be inducted the first time his name appears on the ballot. Michael Irvin is already in the Hall of Fame and has as many career touchdowns receptions with 65 as Sharpe in four and a quarter more seasons. Tim Brown, Cris Carter, and Andre Reed all had significantly longer careers and put up better overall numbers. This trio should eventually be enshrined in Canton. However, none of these receivers rivaled Jerry Rice like Sharpe did while at his peak.
Team success doesn’t help promote Sharpe’s case as well. Rice, Irvin, Brown, Carter, and Reed also were apart of more successful teams. Carter is the only one to not appear in the Super Bowl. Winning or playing for rings does have an effect on how Hall of Fame candidates are judged. I’m not a big fan of that because winning the Super Bowl is a team effort. These five receivers played on better teams and received more national exposure. I’m not sure Sharpe would receive a lot of support nationally because of a lack of exposure.
Sharpe’s dealings with the media and fans during his career haven’t done his Hall of Fame candidacy any favors. My criteria for Hall of Fame voting are if the player was among the elite at his position for his era. Longevity plays a certain part into it, but sometimes I feel that’s out of a player’s control. A career ending injury on the field shouldn’t be held against the player. Whether or not a player was a jerk to the media or fans is totally irrelevant. I believe there are too many voters that hold grudges against players and decide not to put them in the Hall of Fame. Jim Rice wasn’t a media darling and it was held against him for a long time. Sterling Sharpe hasn’t come close to qualifying as a finalist for the Hall of Fame. If Sharpe is to be inducted into Canton, I believe it will have to take a selection from the veteran’s committee.
