Sharpe Makes Points On Packers Sideline Injured All-Pro Receiver Encourages Teammates In Victory Over Lions
Sterling Sharpe looked more like a coach than an All-Pro receiver Saturday as he roamed the sidelines offering tips and good-natured taunts to his teammates in Green Bay’s 16-12 playoff victory over the Detroit Lions.
Sharpe was diagnosed Tuesday with a perilous neck injury that ended his season and threatens to cut short his spectacular career.
On Saturday, he didn’t start for the first time in his seven seasons in the NFL, snapping a streak that spanned 114 games. Quarterback Brett Favre, who threw a team record 33 touchdowns this season but none on Saturday, struggled without him but managed to lead Green Bay to victory anyway.
Sharpe worked out in the weight room before the game, then showered and showed up on the sideline in street clothes and a white baseball cap, encouraging teammates, including replacement Robert Brooks, who caught seven passes for 88 yards in his flanker spot.
Sharpe played a key role in the Packers’ preparations this week, coach Mike Holmgren said.
“I want him around. I like having him around. He’s good for us,” Holmgren said.
Sharpe experienced brief paralysis of both arms Dec. 18 after a collision with Atlanta safety Brad Edwards and a brief burning sensation Dec. 24 after a glancing blow from Tampa Bay safety Thomas Everett’s knee or shoulder.
Because Sharpe suffered serious symptoms even though neither of the hits were particularly hard, the Packers became alarmed and sent him to see two neurosurgeons.
Diagnostic studies of Sharpe’s spine revealed an abnormal amount of laxity, or looseness, between the first and second cervical vertebrae in his neck that control lateral movements and the turning of the head.
Sharpe was told the two vertebrae must be fused to avoid possible paralysis and medical experts said he might never play football again.
Sharpe was the centerpiece of Green Bay’s attack. He had 94 catches for 1,119 yards and a team-record 18 TDs this season, including 13 in the last six weeks.
Despite the gravity of the diagnosis, Sharpe showed no signs of despair during the week or on game day, playing the role of class clown and being his usual cantankerous self around reporters.
Although he wasn’t discourteous or surly, he continued his longstanding policy of not speaking to the media.
His mood was in sharp contrast to the chill that pervaded Packers headquarters after the team learned the gravity of his injury.
Guard Guy McIntyre said Sharpe’s attitude was genuine and not for his teammates’ benefit.
“I don’t think it’s a put-on or anything like that, he’s just being himself,” McIntyre said.
Surgery hasn’t been scheduled. But medical experts say the procedure will almost certainly leave Sharpe vulnerable to re-injury and with too little neck rotation to function as a wide receiver in the NFL.