Sharpe Retrospective

Broncos TE retires, leaving fans with memories of quotes and catches

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After 14 record-setting seasons, Denver tight end Shannon Sharpe is retiring to become an analyst on CBS' NFL Today pregame show. Here are some of his career highlights:

Quote, unquote

• As caught by NFL Films, speaking into a sideline phone during Denver's 34-8 rout of New England on Nov. 17, 1996 -- "Mr. President, call in the National Guard! Send as many men as you can spare! Because we are killing the Patriots! They need emergency help!"

• On the Bengals -- "The only way I'd play for the Cincinnati Bengals is if they gave me $20 million and didn't put my name on the back of the jersey."

• On his high school grades -- "I didn't graduate cum laude. I graduated 'Thank you, Lawdy.' With my grades, I couldn't have gotten into prison."

• On growing up in poverty -- "We were so poor, a robber once broke into our house and we ended up robbing the robber."

Inside the Numbers

• Blocked for five different 1,000-yard rushers in Denver who combined for nine 1,000-yard seasons -- Bobby Humphrey (1990), Gaston Green (1991), Terrell Davis (1995-98), Olandis Gary (1999) and Clinton Portis (2002-03). He also helped lead Jamal Lewis to a 1,000-yard season for Baltimore in its Super Bowl-winning season.

• More than 60 catches in 10 of his last 11 seasons (the only exception was 1999, when he played just five games).

• One of four players to post 11 50-catch seasons, along with Jerry Rice (16), Andre Reed (13) and Cris Carter (11).

• Posted three 1,000-yard seasons (1994, 1996 and 1997).

• Holds the NFL's single-game yardage record for a TE, set Oct. 20, 2002, at Kansas City (214 yards on 12 receptions).

• Was 13-5 in playoff games, including 8-4 with the Broncos.