The 2023 NFL Hall of Fame semi-finalists have been announced! 54 players, coaches and contributors to the game have been nominated to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio. Among them are 2 Packers legends: Sterling Sharpe and Mike Holmgrem. Here are the Packers resumes and why they are being considered for the NFL Hall of Fame.
Sterling Sharpe
Sterling Sharpe is a player that often does not get the recognition he deserves so it is great to see him as a semi-finalist. Sharpe was the 7th overall pick in the 1988 NFL Draft by the Packers. After an amazing career at South Carolina, it was no question he was a 1st round pick. By his second year, he was racking up nearly 1,500 receiving yards on a season. His most productive season was the 1992 season. The elusive Triple Crown of leading the league in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns is something few have done. He led the league in all three with 108 catches, 1461 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. Overall he led the league in receptions 3 times and receiving touchdowns 2 times.
Why is he not in the Hall of Fame already? Unfortunately a neck injury in the 1994 season during a blocking play against the Atlanta Falcons was determined to be life threatening and needed immediate surgery. He never played another down in the NFL. It is great to see him get the recognition now since there is no question that he was a Hall of Fame talent even if he only played for a handful of seasons.
Mike Holmgrem
Mike Holmgrem was the Packers head coach from 1992-1998. Over his 7 seasons, he revived a very mediocre franchise and made them Super Bowl champs. He won Super Bowl XXXI over the Patriots and then followed it up by appearing in the Super Bowl the following year ultimately falling to the John Elway led Broncos. After he left Green Bay he continued to have success. He coached a Seattle Seahawks team to multiple division titles and the franchises first ever Super Bowl appearance. The team lost in Super Bowl XL to the Pittsburgh Steelers but that season was the best Seahawks season by far up until that point.
Each of these Packers legends deserves a spot in the NFL Hall of Fame. While they may not be household names, the resumes that Sharpe and Holmgrem bring should put them in the Hall of Fame.
