Detroit – Shannon Sharpe was among the hundreds of people in a downtown ballroom Saturday afternoon awaiting the call for immortality.
A few minutes later, the former Broncos tight end departed the festivities early, shaking his head and trying to figure out what will it take for friend and former teammate Gary Zimmerman to be honored for what Sharpe believes he was: the best at his position.
“From the day Gary walked into the league until the day he left, find me a better left tackle,” Sharpe said after Zimmerman was not elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after being a finalist for the second time. “I’d really like to meet that guy. I really would because he doesn’t exist.”
The Broncos’ Super Bowl teams of 1997 and 1998 will have only one bust in Canton, Ohio – quarterback John Elway was enshrined in 2004 – for at least another year.
The 39-member Hall board took the maximum number of six electees: Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman; Philadelphia and Green Bay defensive lineman Reggie White; longtime NFL quarterback Warren Moon; former Oakland coach John Madden; former New York Giants linebacker Harry Carson; and former Dallas offensive lineman Rayfield Wright. The group will be enshrined in August.
Aikman, White and Moon were first-ballot nominees. White’s wife, Sara, spoke in honor of her late husband, who died in December 2004 at age 43. Moon, who made his NFL mark mostly with Houston, became the first modern-day African-American quarterback to be elected.
“It’s mind-boggling to me to be elected in my first year on the ballot,” Moon said.
It was mind-boggling for some of Zimmerman’s former teammates to see him overlooked.
Zimmerman, who played with Minnesota from 1986-92 and finished his career with the Broncos from 1993-97, was named to the NFL’s all-decade teams in the 1980s and 1990s and was named to seven Pro Bowl teams.
“Gary had stupid, ridiculous talent,” former Broncos running back Terrell Davis said. “He never missed a block. If he’s not in the Hall of Fame, I don’t understand the criteria.”
Last week, former Broncos offensive linemate Mark Schlereth said it would be a travesty if Zimmerman was bypassed again.
Zimmerman was less adamant. He said he thought he belonged in the Hall of Fame but refused to get into the politics of the voting. He spent Saturday snowboarding near his Bend, Ore., home. Zimmerman’s fate Saturday was sealed early: He was not among the 10 finalists that were pared to six.
Sharpe said what bothers him most is that Zimmerman may not be elected anytime soon. With Bob Kuechenberg and Russ Grimm among the finalists who didn’t get in, there will be competition among offensive linemen.
Sharpe said he doesn’t believe there will be a long list of members of the Broncos’ Super Bowl teams that will make the Hall.
“I was hoping that we’d get another in today to join John, but it didn’t work out,” Sharpe said. “It might be a long wait.”
Safety Steve Atwater is eligible but has not been a finalist. Sharpe is three years from eligibility. When the time comes, Davis, Rod Smith and coach Mike Shanahan are likely to receive consideration.
Bound for Canton
A look at the coach and five players elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday:
TROY AIKMAN | quarterback
Dallas, 1989-2000
College: UCLA
Lowdown: Was the leader of Dallas’ resurgence in the 1990s. He won three Super Bowls and was the Super Bowl XXVII MVP. Named to six Pro Bowls.
HARRY CARSON | linebacker
New York Giants, 1976-88
College: South Carolina State
Lowdown: Named to nine Pro Bowls. Heart and soul of the team that blew out the Broncos 39-20 in Super Bowl XXI.
JOHN MADDEN | coach
Oakland, 1969-78
College: Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo
Lowdown: Went 112-39-7 as coach of the Raiders. Was the 1969 AFL coach of the year. Teams won seven division titles, and coached Oakland to victory in Super Bowl XI.
WARREN MOON | quarterback
Houston, Minnesota, Seattle and Kansas City, 1984-2000
College: Washington
Lowdown: First modern-era African-American quarterback to be elected to the Hall of Fame. Named to nine Pro Bowl teams after also starring in Canada.
REGGIE WHITE | defensive end
Philadelphia, Green Bay and Carolina, 1985-98, 2000
College: Tennessee
Lowdown: White, who died at age 43 in 2004, was named to 13 Pro Bowls in 15 seasons. Four-time NFL defensive MVP. Named to the league’s all-decade teams for the 1980s and 1990s.
RAYFIELD WRIGHT | offensive tackle
Dallas, 1967-79
College: Fort Valley State
Lowdown: Named to six Pro Bowls. Played in five Super Bowls, winning two. Named to the league’s all-decade team for the 1970s.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
