Packers great Sterling Sharpe named Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced that there are 25 senior candidates and 29 coaches/contributors as semifinalists for the class of 2023. Packers legend Sterling Sharpe is one of those semifinalists. This has been long overdue for the NFL legend. Despite having his career being cut short due to a neck injury, the former South Carolina star put together a Hall of Fame portfolio in just seven seasons from 1988 to 1994.

Despite the neck injury ending his career early, Sharpe never missed a game in his career. That's right. He started all 112 games he played in during his career in Green Bay. The Chicago native was a five-time Pro Bowler and a three-time First-Team All-Pro selection. He led the NFL in receptions three times (1989, 1992, 1993) and led the NFL in receiving touchdowns twice (1992, 1994). He also led the NFL in receiving yards in 1992. His 1992 season was one of the most dominant seasons ever. He led the league in all three major receiving categories (108 receptions, 1,461 yards, 13 touchdowns). In 1993, he set a career-high with 112 receptions and also set a career-high in touchdown receptions with a whopping 18 in 1993. He recorded five 1,000-yard seasons in seven years (six career seasons of 900+ receiving yards). He had four career seasons with double-digit touchdown receptions. Had Sharpe not gotten injured, he also would've earned a Super Bowl ring with the Packers in the 1996-97 season. 

Sterling Sharpe is one of the greatest receivers in NFL history. There is no other way to describe him and his career. For it to have taken almost 30 years for the College Football Hall of Famer to become a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a little ridiculous. Sharpe is very deserving of becoming a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Time will tell to see if the voters are on his side.