If you are a fan of the NFL, you may have wondered if Tajae Sharpe, the wide receiver who is currently a free agent, is related to Shannon Sharpe, the former tight end who is now a sports analyst and Hall of Famer. They share the same last name and both played in the NFL, so it seems like a reasonable question to ask. However, the answer is no. Tajae Sharpe and Shannon Sharpe are not related in any way.
Who is Tajae Sharpe?
Tajae Sharpe was born on December 23, 1994, in Newark, New Jersey. He attended Piscataway Township High School, where he played football and basketball. He was a two-star recruit by Rivals.com and committed to the University of Massachusetts (UMass) to play college football.
At UMass, Sharpe was a standout receiver who broke the school records for career receptions and receiving yards. He was also a second-team All-American and a first-team All-MAC selection in 2015. He majored in communications.
Sharpe entered the 2016 NFL Draft and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round with the 140th overall pick. He played for the Titans from 2016 to 2019, recording 92 catches for 1,167 yards and eight touchdowns in 47 games. He also spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, and San Francisco 49ers, but did not see any regular-season action with those teams. He is currently a free agent.
Who is Shannon Sharpe?
Shannon Sharpe was born on June 26, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in Glennville, Georgia, where he attended Glennville High School and played football, basketball, and track and field. He was not heavily recruited by colleges and enrolled at Savannah State University, a Division II school.
At Savannah State, Sharpe was a dominant tight end who set school records for receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. He was also a three-time All-SIAC selection and a Kodak Division II All-American in 1989. He had his jersey number retired by the school.
Sharpe entered the 1990 NFL Draft and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round with the 192nd overall pick. He played for the Broncos from 1990 to 1999 and from 2002 to 2003, winning two Super Bowls with them. He also played for the Baltimore Ravens from 2000 to 2001, winning another Super Bowl with them. He retired as the NFL leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns by a tight end. He was an eight-time Pro Bowler, a four-time first-team All-Pro, a member of the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, and a member of the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
After his retirement, Sharpe became a sports analyst and media personality. He worked for CBS Sports on its NFL telecasts from 2004 to 2014. He also co-hosted Skip and Shannon: Undisputed on Fox Sports 1 with Skip Bayless from 2016 to 2023. He is known for his outspoken opinions and witty remarks on various sports topics.
Tajae Sharpe and Shannon Sharpe are not related because they have different parents and different backgrounds. Tajae’s parents are Julia Bell and Robert Sharpe, and he has two siblings, Nishayne and Amari.Shannon’s parents are Mary Alice Dixon and Pete Sharpe, and he has three siblings, Sterling (who is also a former NFL player), Libby, and Sherra.
Tajae grew up in New Jersey while Shannon grew up in Georgia. They have no known common ancestors or relatives that would link them together as family members.
Conclusion
Tajae Sharpe and Shannon Sharpe are both NFL players who share the same last name but are not related in any way. They have different parents, different backgrounds, and different careers in football. They are both talented athletes who have made their mark on the sport but have no family ties to each other.