SAVANNAH, Ga.- Shannon Sharpe had his #2 jersey officially retired by Savannah State University on a day proclaimed "Shannon Sharpe Day" by university officials.
No other player has worn Sharpe's No. 2 since 1989. Sharpe is the first football player to have his jersey retired by Savannah State.
SSU President Earl G. Yarbrough Sr. presided over a luncheon held for Sharpe in the Savannah Ballroom in the university student center as well as the jersey retirement and unveiling ceremony, which will took place at 3 p.m. in Tiger Arena.
During the luncheon, Sharpe was presented the key to Chatham County by Pete Liakakis and was presented the key to Savannah by SSU alumni and city officials Edna Jackson and Van Johnson.
During the 3 p.m. ceremony, Sharpe received greetings from Dr. Yarbrough; SSU athletics director Bart Bellairs; SSU National Alumni Association representative Willie Walker; former SSU quarterback and head football coach Richard Basil; and SSU alumnus and former Glennville High School football and track coach William Hall.
At 4:45 p.m., university officials presented Sharpe his #2 jersey during pre-game ceremonies at Wright Stadium, prior to the kickoff against Bethune-Cookman University.
Prior to the game between SSU and Bethune-Cookman, Sharpe did the coin toss.
Sharpe led the 1988 and 1989 Tigers to a combined 15-4 record including 8-1 in 1989. Sharpe was the 1989 Co-SIAC Offensive Player of the Year and All-SIAC First Team Offense as a flanker. He was the second SSU football player selected to the Kodak Small College All-America team. He was the first Savannah State football player to play in the Blue-Gray Bowl (1990) in Mobile, Alabama and the East-West Shrine Game (1990) in Palo Alto, California. He was also named College Player of the Year in Georgia.
Sharpe owns SSU single season receiving records for yardage (1,312), touchdowns (18) and yards per catch (21.5).
After leaving SSU, Sharpe played 14 years in the National Football League. He spent 12 years with the Denver Broncos and 2 years with the Baltimore Ravens. He won three Super Bowl rings and was named to eight Pro Bowls.
WHAT THEY SAID
"To think that when I came to Savannah State, basically it was a launching pad," said Sharpe. "My thinking was to come to Savannah State, get my degree and play in the NFL. I knew those two things were going to happen because nothing was going to get in my way. I knew I was going to get a degree. I didn't know which was going to come first but I knew what I wanted. I had a single minded focus. Nothing else mattered but to do my work, work out and play football."
Shannon Sharpe
"He is a inspiration to us all and made a impact on us all."
former SSU quarterback Ronald Day
"This is such a hollow day in Savannah State history. We are so Godly proud of you."
former SSU fullback Edwin Ford
"Two people that had the most impact on my life while I was at Savannah State were Dr. (Joyce) Mclemore and Ms. Joan Green (now Joan Maynor). Others were Dr. Hanes Walton and Dr. Norman Elmore."
Shannon Sharpe
"He is a great man, a great father and a great friend."
former SSU offensive lineman Steve Gerido
"He is a special person. He was the Michael Jordan to thsi team. At times when we wanted to party and at times when we didn't want to work out, Shannon made sure we did."
former SSU quartwerback and football coach Richard Basil
"To see that No.2 jersey officially retired even though no-one wore that jersey since I left in '89 is a great feeling because it says the university thought I was a pretty good player and a very good person and it means a lot to me."
Shannon Sharpe
"Over the years, I have been blessed and been fortunate to coach and be around some super athletes. Shannon is one of these athletes."
SSU alumnus and former Glennville football coach William Hall
