Shannon Sharpe is an American former football tight end who played 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Denver Broncos. He is regarded as one of the greatest tight ends of all time, and he ranks third in tight end receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He was also the first NFL tight end to amass over 10,000 receiving yards. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. He is also a media personality who has appeared as an analyst and co-host on various sports shows.
Shannon Sharpe was born on June 26, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois, and he grew up in Glennville, Georgia, a small town in Tattnall County. His parents, Pete and Mary Alice Sharpe, separated when he was just three months old, and his father died when he was in his early teens due to lung cancer. He was raised by his grandmother, Mary Porter, who also took care of several other relatives in a tiny and poor home. He has an older brother, Sterling Sharpe, who also became a star NFL wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers, and a sister, Libby Sharpe.
Shannon Sharpe has been married twice, first to Kimberly Evans from 1990 to 1995, and then to Katy Kellner from 2016 to 2018. He has three children: two daughters, Kayla and Kaley, and a son, Kiari. He is a Christian and has spoken about his faith in interviews and on social media.
Shannon Sharpe attended Glennville High School, where he was an all-state player in three sports: football, basketball, and track and field. He set the Class A state record for the triple jump in both his junior and senior years. He was a poor student who struggled with a lisp and had to take remedial reading classes. He went on to Savannah State University, where he played football and basketball, and also competed in track and field. He was a three-time All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection from 1987 to 1989 and the SIAC Player of the Year in 1987. He graduated with a degree in criminal justice in 1990.
Shannon Sharpe played as a wide receiver and defensive back for the Glennville High School football team. He was a standout player who led his team to several victories and championships. He also played basketball as a guard and forward, and ran track and field as a jumper and thrower. He was named the Tattnall County Athlete of the Year in 1986.
Shannon Sharpe played as a wide receiver for the Savannah State Tigers football team. He was a dominant player who broke several school and conference records, including most receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns in a season and a career. He also played basketball as a forward and center, and competed in track and field as a jumper and thrower. He was named the SIAC Player of the Year in 1987 and a Division II All-American in 1989. He also participated in the Senior Bowl and the Blue-Gray Classic in 1990.
Shannon Sharpe was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 1990 NFL Draft. He played as a tight end for the Broncos for 12 seasons, from 1990 to 1999 and from 2002 to 2003. He was a key member of the Broncos’ offense that won two consecutive Super Bowl titles in 1997 and 1998. He was selected to seven consecutive Pro Bowls and four first-team All-Pros, and he led the league in receiving yards by a tight end in 1996 and 1997. He also played for the Baltimore Ravens for two seasons, from 2000 to 2001, and helped them win another Super Bowl title in 2000. He was selected to his eighth Pro Bowl in 2001. He retired after the 2003 season as the NFL leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns by a tight end. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011, the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 2009, and the Savannah State Tigers Hall of Fame in 2002. He also holds the NFL record for most receiving yards in a game by a tight end, with 214 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2002.