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Shannon Sharpe Got Emotional After Hall Of Fame Announcement For Brother Sterling

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Feb 7, 2025 10:26 AM ET

At his Hall of Fame induction speech back in 2011, tight end Shannon Sharpe firmly asserted that he was the second-best NFL player in his family behind his older brother, former NFL wide receiver Sterling Sharpe. After last night, the two will both have busts in Canton, Ohio together.

Sterling Sharpe was announced as one of the four inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025. But as you might expect, Sterling got the news well before the rest of us - and Shannon was the one who gave it to him.

In a video shared by the Hall of Fame, Sterling went into the basement at his brother's house, where Shannon was waiting with his gold jacket on.

"Welcome bro," Shannon said.

"To your house?" Sterling joked.

"To the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Class of 2025," Shannon said back, holding back tears.

Shannon Sharpe delivering the news to his brother, Sterling, that he will be a part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025: pic.twitter.com/GyC37Jo9WG
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2025

Shannon and Sterling would go on to appear on a live edition of Shannon's Nightcap show last night, where Shannon would call his brother's induction "the proudest moment in my life."

“I don’t think that has really set in yet,” Sterling said. “It's one of those situations where the closer it gets to having the same color jacket he has and standing in same place he stood and being able to have a conversation about the journey to get there I think it will set in. But right now it hasn’t hit home yet."

Sterling Sharpe's career was comparatively short, lasting seven years. But those were seven incredibly dominant years. He averaged over 1,100 receiving yards and nine touchdowns per year, led the league in receptions three times, receiving yards once and receiving touchdowns twice.

The 1992 season saw Sharpe win the extremely rare "receiving Triple Crown" as he led the league in receptions, yards and touchdowns that season.

Sadly, a neck injury after the 1994 season ended his career at the age of just 29. His retirement came younger than a slew of other legends who have retired early such as Calvin Johnson and Barry Sanders.

Had he stayed healthy, it's very likely Sterling would have finished his career among the all-time leaders in receiving.

Now he is truly listed among the all-time greats.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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