Broncos Shannon Sharpe ends 14-year football career

Jet, June 21, 2004

One of the best tight ends to ever play in the NFL has decided to call it quits to tit his hand in the world of broadcasting.

Shannon Sharpe has officially retired from the Denver Broncos to become a TV analyst for "The NFL Today" show on CBS, replacing former football star Deion Sanders. Sharpe says it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up, and after 14 seasons in the NFL, he's proved himself a "talker."

"I've always liked to talk and it's who I am," said Sharpe at the team's headquarters in Denver. "I've always had something to say and knew what I was talking about."

Sharpe, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, won two Super Bowls with Denver and one with Baltimore during his career. He's the NFL's career leader for tight ends with 815 receptions and 10,060 yards, and last season he re-wrote the touchdown record with 62.

Sharpe, who turns 36 next week, spent all but two of his seasons with the Broncos. Even though he's pondered retirement for the past few weeks, he says it still hasn't hit him that he will not be returning for a 15th season.

"Nothing's really changed. When I'm going to start to realize that it's over--that it's never going to happen again--is July and August. This July and August, it won't be shoulder pads and helmets and cleats; it'll be shirt and tie. And I know I'm going to miss it."