Darren Sharper was one of the best free safeties in the past two decades. His stats speak for themselves: 972 tackles, 63 INT, 13 TD, and 7.5 sacks. His accomplishments include being a six-time All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowler, two-time interceptions leader, and a Super Bowl champion. Not to mention, Sharper is on the NFL’s all-decade team for the 2000’s.
In his 2009 Super Bowl run with the New Orleans Saints, Sharper had 9 interceptions and broke the all-time record for interception yards with 376.
The answer on whether he is enshrined into the Hall of Fame lies in the voter’s eyes. Sharper was given an 18-year sentence for the drugging and raping of multiple women in different states. On August 1st, he was denied in his appeal.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Peter King, who is on the Hall of Fame committee, stated that voters are asked to only consider on-the-field factors. Regardless, we are human and every voter can’t just ignore what Sharper’s past entails. Or do they?
Lawrence Taylor was enshrined in 1999, but was convicted of third-degree rape and was forced to register as a sex offender. Would something like that take you out the hall of fame?
He has been considered, but that’s as far as it has gone. Some claim Sharper wasn’t a Hall of Fame player to begin with. Some crimes are forgivable, but harming children and women are obviously difficult to look past.
Photo: Reuters
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