Courtesy of Savannah State University
Another significant honor was given as Savannah State University’s most prolific athlete and alumnus Shannon Sharpe was named to the East-West Temple Bowl’s Team of the Century. The organization made the announcement Tuesday afternoon at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta as part of the 100th celebration of the annual postseason game. Sharpe joins the likes of Walter Payton and Robert Brazile as HBCU representatives on the team.
The East-West Shrine Bowl celebrates its 100th year in 2025 and is the longest-running college football all-star game in the country. The 100-year celebration features an exhibit and panel discussion at the College Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday, as well as the 100th East-West Hall of Fame on January 29, 2025. Bowl on January 30, 2025 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
A proud native of Glenville, Georgia, Sharpe appeared in the 1990 edition of the College All-Star Classic, becoming the first and, to date, only Savannah State football player to play in the game.
Sharpe’s Savannah State career spanned four seasons from 1986-1989, where he completely rewrote the Tiger football record books. Sharpe was a three-time First Team All-SIAC selection, finishing his career with 192 catches for 3,744 career yards and 40 touchdowns. He still holds the Savannah State single-season receiving yards (1,312), touchdowns (18) and yards per catch (21.5) records set in 1989. Additionally, during that season, Sharpe helped lead the Tigers to a program-best 8-1 record. overall mark in 1988 after a 7-3 campaign the previous season.
In 2013, Sharpe was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame and the following year was inducted into the SIAC Hall of Fame. Sharpe’s #2 jersey was retired by Savannah State University in 2009 to commemorate Shannon Sharpe Day.
After his HBCU football days at The Marsh, Sharpe embarked on a 14-year NFL career in which he was an eight-time Pro Bowler and won three Super Bowl rings, two with the Denver Broncos and one with the Baltimore Ravens. When he retired in 2003, he held the all-time NFL record for receptions, touchdowns and total receiving yards by a tight end. Sharpe was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Sharpe has since entered the media world, where he has quickly become one of the most sought-after figures in sports broadcasting. He currently co-hosts First Take, ESPN’s highly rated and critically acclaimed morning sports debate show, alongside Molly Qerim and HBCU alum Stephen A. Smith. He is also conquering the new media space as owner and owner of Shay Shay Media. Two of his podcasts, “Nightcap” with former NFL All-Pro Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and “Club Shay Shay” have received several awards and award nominations for Best Podcast and Best Sports Podcast from several media outlets.
