Former NFL lineman Rick Sharp, a powerhouse University of Washington player whose teammates nicknamed him “The Hulk,” has died at age 78.
Sharp died Aug. 28 in Australia, where he had lived for decades. Reports announcing his death did not specify a cause.
Born in England, Sharp moved with his family to Seattle when he was young and quickly made a name for himself on the football field.
He attended Queen Anne High School, where he helped the team capture the Seattle Metro League championship with a dramatic 7-6 victory over Nathan Hale in 1965.
His performance earned him a scholarship to the University of Washington, where the imposing lineman became a three-year starter for the Huskies.
Sharp played during an era when it was still possible for standout college players to contribute on both sides of the ball. He lined up on offense and defense, starting at left guard as a sophomore while also seeing action along the defensive front.
At roughly 6-foot-3 and more than 260 pounds, Sharp’s strength made an impression on his teammates, who gave him the fitting nickname “The Hulk.”
Former Washington defensive back Bob Burmeister remembered Sharp as an unusually powerful player who could overwhelm opponents with his upper-body strength.
Sharp also made several memorable defensive plays during his college career, including forcing and recovering a fumble against Oregon State in 1967. The following season, he blocked a punt against California and recovered the ball near the goal line.
His college career eventually caught the attention of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pittsburgh selected Sharp in the 12th round with the 288th overall pick of the 1970 NFL Draft.
It turned out to be a historic draft for the Steelers. Pittsburgh used the No. 1 overall selection on quarterback Terry Bradshaw and later selected future Hall of Fame defensive back Mel Blount in the third round.
Sharp joined the Steelers as the franchise was beginning the transformation that would eventually turn Pittsburgh into one of the dominant teams of the 1970s.
He appeared in 14 games during his rookie season in 1970 and another three games for Pittsburgh in 1971.
Sharp then joined the Denver Broncos, appearing in 12 games during the 1972 season. In all, he played 29 NFL games over three seasons.
A knee injury brought his NFL career to an early end, but Sharp wasn’t quite finished with football.
He returned to the field in 1974 with the New York Stars of the newly created World Football League before ultimately leaving professional football behind.
Sharp then built a dramatically different life away from the gridiron.
He became a certified public accountant and worked for several companies in the Seattle area. After visiting Australia in 1985, Sharp apparently liked the country enough to make a major change.
He moved there permanently the following year.
Sharp later served as financial director for Compaq Computer’s Australian operation and remained with the company until retiring in the late 1990s. He also became involved in other business ventures, coached football and spent time as an organic farmer.
Despite his intimidating football nickname, those who knew Sharp away from the game remembered another side of him.
A former teammate described him as a “quiet giant,” while his obituary said his greatest love was his daughter, Madeline, who remained a central part of his life.
Sharp also enjoyed the outdoors, 1970s rock music, trivia, blackjack, Cuban cigars and a good glass of Shiraz.
His life ultimately stretched from England to Seattle, through NFL stadiums in Pittsburgh and Denver, and finally to Australia — a remarkable journey for the former Huskies standout once simply known to his teammates as “The Hulk.”
Leave a Reply