Luis Sharpe, a three-time Pro Bowl left tackle who played 13 seasons with the Cardinals franchise, has died at the age of 65.
His wife, Tameka Williams-Sharpe, announced his passing in a Facebook post on Saturday.
“With deep sorrow and abiding love, I share that my beloved husband, Luis Sharpe, has passed away,” she wrote. “His strength, love, and faith were a light to all who knew him. I am grateful for every moment we shared and for the many prayers and kindnesses extended to our family. Though my heart is heavy, I trust that Luis is now resting in God’s eternal peace.”
Born in Havana, Cuba, Sharpe was a first-round draft pick from UCLA by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1982. He remained with the franchise through its move to Arizona, playing until 1994, and is widely regarded as the best left tackle in the organization’s history.
While celebrated for his on-field performance, Sharpe’s life after the NFL was marked by a severe battle with drug and alcohol addiction. His struggles led to multiple arrests, jail time, and being shot twice during drug transactions.
However, Sharpe had been sober for the past eight years, crediting his transformation to intensive Bible study he began in prison.
“As an athlete, my self-esteem came from the applause of the fans and all of the accolades I received – that’s what filled me,” Sharpe told the Detroit Free Press in a December interview. “But after being homeless, penniless and hopeless, I have more peace and more joy than I did during my NFL days because God has taken my mess and turned it into a message.”
In recent years, Sharpe and his daughter Rebekah worked to address the drug and mental health crises by sharing their story of addiction and recovery. They served as ambassadors for Hall of Fame Health, an affiliate of the Pro Football Hall of Fame dedicated to supporting the health of former players and communities nationwide.
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