Former Bronco Shannon Sharpe Says Women Have Special Place In His Heart

DENVER (CBS4)- Former Denver Bronco Shannon Sharpe was the guest of honor for the Warren Village All-Star Breakfast in Denver Friday.

He said although there wasn't a Warren Village when he was growing up, he understands what it means to come from nothing and become something.

"For 66 years my Grandmomma went to bed and have it rain. And she would always get wet. I remember as a young boy growing up... the rain. I remember my Grandmomma saying is it the phones? Is it the lights? Which is it going to be?" said Sharpe.

Sharpe was known for 12 seasons as the "Mouth of the Broncos." But there's much more to the former tight end than football.

He talked about why Warren Village has such a special place in his heart.

"Sometimes in life you need a hand that helps you become sufficient so you can do for yourself. A hand out makes you lazy, makes you dependent on others," said Sharpe.

Since 1974, Warren Village has helped motivate low-income, previously homeless single parent families move from public assistance to personal and economic self-sufficiency through subsidized housing, on-site nationally accredited child care, intensive case management, educational guidance and career development.

Sharpe earned a reputation for being a loudmouth, a never-ending soundbite machine. The seven-time Pro-Bowler says for him, it's always been about his Grandmomma.

"They thought it was talking to garner attention but I was talking to keep from hearing my grandmother's pain," said Sharpe.

It's because of her that women hold a very special place in his heart.

"You can tell a lot about a man by how he treats the women in his family," said Sharpe. "I've never been married. I could be married for, moving forward, 50 years. I don't know I'll love anybody more than I love my grandmother."

Sharpe also said that there's one big reason he loves Colorado but does not call it home.

"I'd kind of like to be able to go to the movies and not talk about football. I'd kind of like going out to eat occasionally and not talk football. So that's one of the main reasons I don't live in Colorado," said Sharpe.

Sharpe also said he loves Broncos fans and he appreciates the appreciation, but no one understands better than him what it means to be a victim of success.