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Three Gamecocks who could be next for the Pro Football Hall of Fame

UVA BIO PICby:Mike Uva•about 8 hours•

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Photo: Andy Lyons | Getty Images

On Thursday, it was announced that former South Carolina wide receiver Sterling Sharpe has been selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the 2025 class.

A standout for the Green Packers from 1988-94, his career was cut short due to a serious neck injury. With his selection, he’ll become the first Gamecock inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he’s enshrined later this year.

While it took 63 years for the University of South Carolina to see one of their own make it into Canton, perhaps another USC product will receive the call from the hall shortly. Here are three Gamecocks who I think have the best shot to join Sharpe on that list.

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John Abraham – Defensive End

One of the most disruptive pass rushers of his era, Abraham played 15 seasons in the NFL. A three-time First Team All-Pro selection, he also was named Second Team All-Pro one time during his career while earning five Pro Bowl selections. The Atlanta Falcons’ all-time sack leader (68.5), his 133.5 career sacks are the 13th most all-time. In more than half of the seasons that he played in, he finished with double-digit sacks, while also having two seasons with 9.5 sacks. He also forced 47 fumbles, which is the fourth most all-time in NFL history. The pass rusher has appeared on the Pro Football Hall of Fame ballet several times in recent years, but he’s failed to reach the final voting stage.

Dan Reeves – Coach

The late Dan Reeves spent nearly four decades in the NFL. A champion of Super Bowl VI as a running back with the Dallas Cowboys, he went on to have a long and successful coaching career. One of just ten coaches in NFL history with 200 career wins, he was named Coach of the Year twice by the Associated Press. As an assistant coach, he was part of the Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl XII victory against the Denver Broncos. In total during his 38 years spent in the NFL, Reeves reached the Super Bowl nine times, including four as a head coach. That’s a feat that only a handful of individuals have ever achieved. Reaching the Super Bowl in his second season with the Falcons during the 1998 season, Atlanta was dubbed the “Dirty Birds” on way to a 14-2 regular season. In what was the first trip to the Super Bowl for the franchise, it remains the Atlanta’s most wins in a regular season.

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Stephon Gilmore – CB

While Gilmore just finished playing in his 13th season in the NFL, it’s hard to imagine that a golden jacket won’t be waiting for him in Canton once his playing days are over. A five-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time First-team All-Pro, and the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, Gilmore co-led the league in interceptions that same season and played a vital part in helping the New England Patriots during their Super Bowl LIII playoff run. The ability to play cornerback over a decade in the NFL, and still at a high level, only further backs up how legendary his professional career has been. In his career, he’s racked up 617 tackles, has 32 interceptions, has forced seven fumbles while recovering three, has scored two defensive touchdowns, and has record a sack. He’s also been credited with 149 pass breakups.

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