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The NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe gave nothing less than a powerful, – now viral – talkative answer when the rookie’s listing of the greatest draft steals in the history of the league did not include him. The whole interaction took place on the social media account of the ‘Nightcap’ show, where Sharpe pointed out the young player by name and invited him to see a sort of “pinned résumé”. It appears that this particular case has stirred up a fierce debate among football fans regarding historical appreciation and which late-round players have truly been the most beneficial ones.
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The tweet from the ‘Nightcap’ account contained Sharpe’s reply, among other things, “…yikes 😳 @jacorycroskey Unc has his resume pinned if you wanna peruse the basics real quick 😂 it’s all good, Neph!” The message was an instant reaction to a video in which the NFL rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt announced his favorite draft steals, and the list still did not feature the name of the legendary tight end. Even though he was a seventh-round pick, he became a three-time Super Bowl champion, a Hall of Famer, and is considered the most impactful late selection of all time.
Quickly, the online community came to the defense of Sharpe, with many users declaring that his number one ranking was the most obvious. One user commented, “Shannon number one on this list easily 😂”, which was an opinion loudly echoed across the platform. The interaction swiftly morphed into a more comprehensive scrutiny of Sharpe’s career and divided opinions about his game impact. A particularly astute comment said, “Shannon sharpe took Elway from really good to legendary immediately 🤣🤣🤣. Shannon and TD were so good on offense idk if they had a defense in the 90s.” This user was highlighting Sharpe’s part in the changes of the Broncos offense to be victorious and in the case of John Elway, given the quarterback’s career a boost.
Another fan mentioned a very significant statistical milestone to the discussion, “Shay Shay should be number 1 still the only TE TO HAVE 200 yards in one game 3 bowls one wit my ravens and got the gold jacket 🧥.” The comment was reminding everyone of Sharpe’s special and record-breaking achievements that, on the one hand, built, and on the other hand, were seen as being the reason for tight ends being allowed long passes, thus, eventually, leading to the current era of wide receivers.
Though many were in favor of Sharpe’s top position, the discussion also moved to the other players listed by the rookie, particularly the inclusion of the runner-back Bo Jackson. One user attempted to negotiate and recommended, “For skill and how their careers started Bo 1 and Unc 2… overall 1.Unc 2.Jules 3.Bo 4.Fitz.” The writer did acknowledge Jackson’s super psycho but at the same time conceded that Sharpe’s long, championship-level professional life was the reason for his leading in the end. Another user was less wordy and simply stated “Bo 1 unk 2 idc bout anything else” thus showing that despite Jackson’s brilliant yet brief career, he still has powerful appeal among certain fans.
Amidst the heated debate, a user who was characterized as fair and contextual caught the spotlight. One netizen defended the rookie stating, “Bill is 23ish. He doesn’t know give him a break 😂😂.” This comment spotlighted the issue that football knowledge is generational, meaning the younger players might be less acquainted with the greats of the past. Another person supporting this idea said, “Forgive him Unc, he wasn’t familiar with your game.” This remark, while forgiving, also pointed out the need for the players to learn the history of the sport they are playing professionally.
The debates even included the reference to another player on the list in a humorous way. One bewildered football fan wondered, “Putting Fitzpatrick that high is actually crazy,” while another one remarked jokingly, ““That man got fitzmagic in front of me” 😂😂idk why that took me out,” scoffing at the notion of the journeyman quarterback being placed above a certified Hall of Famer.
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In the end, Shannon Sharpe’s witty yet incisive retort not only highlighted a slight but also did much more. It sparked a debate of the best celebrating the protagonist’s remarkable career and serving as a public reminder of his rightful place in the NFL history. The incident has brought to the forefront the ever-present debate between the league’s old-timers and the present stars over the times when the legends make sure their contributions to the game won’t be forgotten by the next generation. The whole incident serves as a testament to Sharpe’s enduring influence and the respect he enjoys throughout the football world. This debate about player rankings brings to mind the recent NFL Top 100 players list that also caused controversy. The discussion about young talent like Malik Nabers and established stars continues, with rookies like Brock Bowers making their mark on these lists. Off the field, Sharpe recently made headlines when he settled a $50M lawsuit in a high-profile case.
