Former Gamecocks WR Sterling Sharpe named to College Football Hall of Fame

Former South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Sterling Sharpe made a name for himself as one of the top receivers of his time. Now, the College Football Hall of Fame has come calling.

Sharpe was one of fourteen players named to the 2014 Hall class, it was announced today. For Sharpe, who led the nation with 1,106 yards in his junior season in 1986 and amassed 2,497 in his career (both 3rd all time in school history) and is regarded as one of the greatest athletes in school history–in any sport–it was an honor several years in the making.

Sharpe parlayed his success in Columbia into a solid NFL career. The seventh overall pick in the 1988 NFL Draft was a five-time Pro Bowler while spending seven years with the Green Bay Packers, leading the NFL in receiving three times (1989, 1992, 1993) and being inducted into the Packers’ Hall of Fame in 2002. A neck injury in 1994 ended his career–there’s little doubt that he’d be a first ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer had he stayed healthy and played for several more years, considering many of his achievements took place while the legendary Jerry Rice was in his prime.

The group of fourteen will be officially inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame at the National Football Foundation’s annual dinner on December 9 in New York City. Before that, their achievements will be displayed in the Hall of Fame building that’s set to open in August.