Easy rider

Broncos' Sharpe putting the spoke in outspoken

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Posted: Thursday January 28, 1999 03:42 AM

MIAMI -- Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe fell in love with the Tour de France when he was around 10 years old. It's a passion he embraces to this day.

"I remember when [Miguel] Indurain won his and I remember when Greg LeMond won his," Sharpe said.

On his own bike, Sharpe cuts an equally unforgettable figure -- the singing, the hat, the shirt, the skin-tight shorts?

"I don't want to see it," said Falcons cornerback Ray Buchanan, who wore an equally shocking dog collar to Media Day on Tuesday. "I'm gonna tell you, if he does have that outfit on, I don't want to see it. But if he does, hey, that's Shannon Sharpe."

Would you expect anything less from perhaps the NFL's most loquacious player? His teammates certainly don't.

"If you're going to play the part, you've got to look the part," Broncos cornerback Ray Crockett said. "Looks are everything."

Sharpe, who tied for the team-high with 10 touchdown receptions this season, says he really is serious about cycling.

Lofton's Analysis This is the day when all the men become little boys again. They get their game plan and you go out and practice the things that you are actually going to do in the Super Bowl. The coach says you can be the MVP. So this is the night when all of those dreams start. You have a couple of cookies and some warm milk before you go to bed and you dream of being the Super Bowl MVP. -- James Lofton

Seriously.

"Don't listen to Ray Crockett, man," Sharpe warned. "No, actually I'm into fitness. I try to take good care of my body and that's one of the best ways to do it."

In the off-season, Sharpe eliminates running from his training regimen. He relies on his bike to maintain physical condition as he takes a break from the beating his body endures during the season.

And, as an added bonus, Sharpe says its a great way to meet chicks.

"That's where the girls go," Sharpe said. "Girls are into exercising and cardio so I figured I'd go in and get a seat next to them."

On so many different levels, where others see a bike, Sharpe sees an opportunity for social betterment and mental improvement.

Meyer's Analysis As a coach, you put them in full gear and you go out and work 'em hard in the Florida sunshine. Make them break a sweat. Get their attention and work on the timing both in the running game and in the passing game. So bump around some, don't scrimmage them, but make sure they know they're in for business.-- Ron Meyer

"I didn't realize how hard of work learning and understanding how to ride a bike is," Sharpe said. "It's very difficult. There's lots of things, people just think you get on a bike and start pedaling."

Not the way Sharpe cycles.

"I like to cycle but I don't go to the extreme that Shannon does." fellow Broncos receiver Ed McCaffrey said. "He has the top of the line equipment and I think he must have ridden 20 miles one day to practice, but I think he might have taken a cab home."

In case anyone is concerned, Sharpe did not ride his bike to Florida -- he got off the plane with his teammates on Sunday.

And, at age 30, the Broncos probably don't have to worry about Sharpe ditching the team to live out any Tour de France fantasies. Sharpe seems pretty happy watching that on TV.

 

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