Luis Sharpe, a prominent figure in both UCLA and NFL history, passed away on July 11 at the age of 65. Known for his outstanding career as an offensive lineman, Sharpe was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at UCLA from 1978 to 1981. He was selected in the first round of the 1982 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Sharpe played all 13 seasons of his NFL career with the Cardinals franchise. He earned three consecutive Pro Bowl selections starting in 1987 and was named Second Team All-Pro in both 1988 and 1990. Over his career, he participated in 189 games.
Sharpe’s impact at UCLA began during his freshman year when he received the John F. Boncheff Jr. Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year after contributing to an impressive season record and a Fiesta Bowl appearance. By his senior year, he led the Bruins to the Bluebonnet Bowl and received several honors including First Team All-American recognition by Sporting News.
Under coach Terry Donahue, Sharpe helped achieve a strong team record over four seasons at UCLA. After retiring from professional football, Sharpe returned to Detroit where he engaged in community service with Sobriety House Inc., and worked with Hall of Fame Health as an ambassador.
Sharpe’s contributions extended beyond sports; he traveled to Super Bowl LVIII in Paradise, Nevada in 2024 to share his experiences with the NFL community.
