Former Green Bay Packers star wide receiver Sterling Sharpe had an NFL career that became one of the biggest “what-ifs” in football history.
He played in only seven years in the NFL, all with the Packers, as his career was cut short by a neck injury that robbed him of the chance to have a much greater career than what he had already put together by the time he was forced to hang up his cleats.
Nevertheless, Sharpe’s legacy in the NFL has been further immortalized when he finally got his bronze bust in Canton in 2025. By getting inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, there is no denying anymore where he stands among the greats of the game.
Green Bay Packers legend laments not getting a call from team after surgery
Green Bay Packers, Sterling Sharpe
Aug 2, 2025; Canton, OH, USA; Pro Football Hall of Fame-Class of 2025 enshrinee Sterling Sharpe receives his bust alongside his brother Shannon Sharpe before his acceptance speech at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Despite finally getting a Pro Football Hall of Fame call, Sharpe recently opened up about an old wound, one that happened during a tough time.
“I could die on the operating table,” Sharpe said during an appearance on his brother and fellow Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe’s popular podcast,Club Shay Shay. “Not one person from the Green Bay Packers organization said, ‘Hey, how did your surgery go?’ Not one person from the organization.”
"I could die on the operating table. Not one person from the Green Bay Packers organization said, 'Hey, how did your surgery go?' Not one person from the organization." – Sterling Sharpe pic.twitter.com/326rq7m8k0
— Club Shay Shay (@ClubShayShay) August 5, 2025
Sterling also said that he wasn’t “bothered” about not getting checked on by the Packers after his surgery, but instead, he was “disappointed” by it.
Through his incredible, albeit short, NFL career, Sterling came up with 8,134 receiving yards with 65 touchdowns on 595 catches across 112 games.
Green Bay Packers, Sterling Sharpe
Hall of Famer Sterling Sharpe, left, unveils his bronze bust alongside his brother, Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement, Aug. 2, 2025, in Canton.
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