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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 03: Shannon Sharpe and Sterling Sharpe pose for Photographs on the Red Carpet at NFL American Football Herren USA Honors during Super Bowl LII week on February 3, 2018, at Northrop at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire) NFL: FEB 03 Super Bowl LII – NFL Honors PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon020318660

via Imago
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 03: Shannon Sharpe and Sterling Sharpe pose for Photographs on the Red Carpet at NFL American Football Herren USA Honors during Super Bowl LII week on February 3, 2018, at Northrop at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire) NFL: FEB 03 Super Bowl LII – NFL Honors PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon020318660
The much-awaited moment is finally here for Shannon Sharpe and his brother. After nearly three decades of waiting, Sterling Sharpe is officially getting his gold jacket. This weekend, the Green Bay Packers legend joins his younger brother as the only brothers enshrined in Canton. A story that began with a career cut short in 1994 after neck surgery is now turning into a legacy moment for the entire Sharpe family.
Still, when you line up the numbers, Sterling’s résumé makes a strong case. Despite playing only seven seasons, he racked up five Pro Bowl nods and three First-Team All-Pro honors. In fact, he snagged the receiving triple crown in 1992—becoming just the second player since 1966 to do it.
Meanwhile, Shannon, who carved out a 14-year career as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, picked up eight Pro Bowls and four First-Team All-Pro nods of his own. On top of that? Three Super Bowl rings and a spot in the all-time top five in most tight end stats. But even with all that hardware, the spotlight this weekend is all about big bro.
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When asked how it felt to be inducted, Sterling said, “It feels great going into the Hall of Fame,” but made it clear he wasn’t waiting around for the moment either—“but Coach, I wasn’t waiting. I was playing golf, enjoying myself.” Of course, what truly separated the Sharpe brothers wasn’t just talent—it was the constant battle to outdo each other.
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That edge started long before either of them wore cleats. On Club Shay Shay, Sterling reminded Shannon how it all began with backyard chores. “The old school way that we grew up … definitely formulated and impacted my life in a way that allowed me—I never did anything for public consumption. The only competitor, the only competition I ever had in my life was you. When I cut the grass,” he shared.
Making the Hall of Fame wasn’t the only thing on Sterling Sharpe’s mind. 😅
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— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) August 1, 2025
Not surprisingly, Shannon jumped right in—“Oh, it was a race.” Sterling laughed and followed up with, “Took me 16 minutes to cut the grass. Hey bruh, I fed the hogs, the chickens, and Ringo.. in 12 minutes. That’s the only competition I ever had. I remember people comparing me to other receivers, and I would just laugh.” Definitely, he was just competing with his own brother.
Growing up in Glennville, Georgia, surrounded by a big Southern family, it wasn’t about the spotlight. Indeed, it was about survival, grit, and sibling rivalry. But through all the biggest moments, Sterling says, Shannon was always there—cheesing in the background, soaking it all in.
What’s your perspective on:
Did Shannon Sharpe's ESPN exit overshadow Sterling's Hall of Fame moment, or did it add to the legacy?
Have an interesting take?
Shannon Sharpe offered an emotional apology to Sterling for the ESPN chaos
To start what should’ve been a historic family milestone, Shannon Sharpe ended up delivering an emotional apology to his big brother. On a special episode of his Nightcap podcast, the Hall of Fame tight end confirmed that ESPN had released him—and immediately owned the fact that the news took attention away from Sterling Sharpe’s long-awaited Hall of Fame induction.
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“I’m sorry that I upstaged you in this manner,” Shannon said. “That was never my intent.” He then declared Sterling his “hero” and “role model,” clearly showing how deeply the spotlight shift impacted him.

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What made it worse? Shannon had actually asked ESPN to delay the decision. He revealed he found out earlier in the week and pleaded, “Guys, can we wait until Monday? My brother is going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.” But the exit news broke just days before Sterling’s big moment.
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Shannon admitted he feared this would “overshadow everything he’s worked his entire life for.” Now, while the network remained quiet, the backlash was anything but. Shannon had already been away from ESPN since April, following a separate legal matter. Yet once the news became official, his first move was to call his brother.
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According to Shannon, Sterling didn’t hesitate: “Bro, I love you… I’m done with this. You done with it too. Move on.” However, Shannon admitted he still carries one regret. “I just wish this thing could have waited until Monday,” he said, wishing that the headlines of his exit hadn’t blurred his brother’s historic Canton induction.
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Did Shannon Sharpe's ESPN exit overshadow Sterling's Hall of Fame moment, or did it add to the legacy?