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Denver Broncos: 5 legendary jersey numbers players have failed to live up to

By Travis Wakeman

Denver Bronco's tight end Shannon Sharpe celebrates after catching the game-winning 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback John Elway in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs 06 December at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. Denver rallied for two touchdowns in the final seven minutes for a 35-31 victory over Kansas City to extend their winning streak to 18 games, including last year's playoffs. AFP PHOTO/Mark LEFFINGWELL (Photo by MARK LEFFINGWELL / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK LEFFINGWELL/AFP via Getty Images)
Denver Bronco's tight end Shannon Sharpe celebrates after catching the game-winning 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback John Elway in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs 06 December at Mile High Stadium in Denver, CO. Denver rallied for two touchdowns in the final seven minutes for a 35-31 victory over Kansas City to extend their winning streak to 18 games, including last year's playoffs. AFP PHOTO/Mark LEFFINGWELL (Photo by MARK LEFFINGWELL / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK LEFFINGWELL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe dons a “Bronco head” as he leaves the field following the Broncos 23-10 victory over the New York Jets in the 1998 AFC Championship Game on January 17, 1999, at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)
Denver Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe dons a “Bronco head” as he leaves the field following the Broncos 23-10 victory over the New York Jets in the 1998 AFC Championship Game on January 17, 1999, at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images) /

No. 84

Legendary player who wore it: Shannon Sharpe

Player to wear it next: Wesley Duke

Player currently wearing it: Troy Fumagalli

Shannon Sharpe is on a short list of the greatest tight ends to ever play the game and if you were to rank the best Broncos players ever, Sharpe is probably in the top five. Yet his No. 84 jersey remains available to be worn.

Sharpe had two stints with the Broncos. Like Mecklenburg, he was a late-round pick, chosen in the seventh round of the 1990 draft out of Savannah State. He spent the first 10 years of his career in Denver, winning back-to-back Super Bowls, before going to the Ravens for two seasons and collecting another ring.

He came back to Denver for two more seasons before closing his career in 2003. He finished his playing career with 815 receptions for 10,060 yards and 62 touchdowns. Those numbers helped him be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

After Sharpe’s retirement, the next player to wear No. 84 in Denver was another tight end by the name of Wesley Duke. A forgettable player, Duke spent just one season in Denver.

Today, another tight end wears that number. Troy Fumagalli will be entering his third season with the Broncos and figures to be right in the middle of a battle for a roster spot.

No one has ever come close to wearing No. 84 the way Sharpe proudly did and every time a Broncos receiver wearing that number catches the ball, you still have flashbacks to the man who used to make such game-changing plays with No. 84 on his back.

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