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Shannon Sharpe, Class of '91 and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Returns to SSU

 

       Shannon Sharpe surrounded by SSU students during the live taping of ESPN's First Take on Nov. 6 at Tiger Arena

Shannon Sharpe, Class of ’91, returned to campus Nov. 6 to a warm and festive welcome by students, faculty and staff who packed Tiger Arena for a glimpse of the SSU alumnus and Pro football hall of famer. On campus for the live taping of ESPN’s First Take, Sharpe joined Stephen A. Smith and host Molly Qerim as they kicked off back-to-back live roadshows at two HBCUs - Savannah State and Winston-Salem State, Smith’s alma mater.

Regarded as one of the greatest National Football League’s (NFL) tight ends of all time, Sharpe spent 14 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Denver Broncos and became the first NFL tight end to amass more than 10,000 receiving yards.

A cheering crowd of students, faculty, staff and special guests descended on Tiger Arena to witness the 2-hour live taping of the weekday sports debate show. The event allowed Sharpe to reconnect with his alma mater and rekindle relationships with a former professor, a coach and connect with current students.

“If somebody would have told me, when I stepped on [the] Savannah State Campus, that I would one day return to my alma mater in this capacity, I would have laughed,” Sharpe said. “This is incredible, and to be able to come back this way means so much to me and I am so very excited.”

Sharpe joined the SSU Tigers squad in 1986 after a standout career at Glenville High School in Georgia. On Monday, Sharpe embraced his former SSU English professor Dr. Joan Maynor and his high school football coach William Hall. Also joining him at the taping were several of his former SSU teammates, his brother, NFL standout Sterling Sharpe, and his sister Libby.

Following the taping, Sharpe remained in the Arena for countless selfies with students and conversations with media and others.  


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