Shannon Sharpe has always credited his older brother, Sterling Sharpe, for paving the way for his own Pro Football Hall of Fame career.
Now, the legendary tight end had the honor of informing his brother that he, too, will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 class—making history as the first pair of brothers to be honored in Canton, Ohio.
In an emotional moment, Shannon surprised Sterling, the former Green Bay Packers All-Pro wide receiver, with the news that he would finally be receiving football’s highest honor.
“All those nights in that thousand-square-foot home. All those prayers that Granny and Libby and so many people prayed that we didn’t even know God was listening to,” Shannon said. “To have this moment, and I’ve had some great moments in my professional life. This is the proudest moment in my life.”
Sterling was a force to be reckoned with in the NFL during his tenure with the Green Bay Packers (1988-1994). He made five Pro Bowls, earning three First-Team All-Pro selections, and leading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches in 1992—a feat that only a handful of players have accomplished.
However, his career was tragically cut short at the age of 29 due to a serious neck injury, preventing him from cementing his legacy. Despite this, his impact on the game and influence on generations of wide receivers made his Hall of Fame induction a matter of when not if.
Shannon, already a Pro Football Hall of Famer (Class of 2011), has long expressed his admiration for his older brother.
“You had the hardest job because Papa was the hardest on you because he knew I was watching you. And because you didn’t have a guide, you didn’t have Google, you didn’t have MapQuest. You had to do it on your own, and you had to do it and be perfect because I was watching,” Shannon said.
The 2025 Hall of Fame Class also includes Eric Allen, Jared Allen, and Antonio Gates.
