Former Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Luis Sharpe died at age 65, his family announced Friday, July 11. The three-time Pro Bowl selection spent his entire 13-season NFL career with the Cardinals franchise and is widely regarded as the best left tackle in the organization’s history.
Sharpe’s wife, Tameka Williams-Sharpe, confirmed his death in a Facebook post. She indicated that his strength, love and faith were a light to all who knew him, expressing gratitude for every moment they shared together. Williams-Sharpe noted that despite her heavy heart, she trusts that Luis is now resting in God’s eternal peace.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Sharpe was selected as the 16th overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft by the then-St. Louis Cardinals after a successful college career at UCLA. He remained with the franchise through its relocation from St. Louis to Phoenix in 1988 and later to Arizona in 1994, starting all 189 games of his professional career.
Sharpe earned Pro Bowl honors three consecutive years from 1987 to 1989 and was named a second-team All-Pro in 1990. He also received Professional Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team recognition early in his career. His consistent performance anchored the Cardinals’ offensive line for over a decade during a transitional period for the franchise.
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill released a statement acknowledging Sharpe’s contributions both on and off the field. Bidwill emphasized that throughout his lengthy career with the Cardinals, Sharpe exhibited uncommon strength and toughness that made him successful as a player. He noted that Sharpe admirably demonstrated those same traits in dealing with personal challenges after his playing career ended.
Following his retirement from the NFL in 1994, Sharpe struggled with alcohol and drug addiction. He was arrested multiple times, spent time in jail, and was shot twice during drug transactions. The former lineman faced homelessness and financial ruin during his darkest period.
The turning point in Sharpe’s life came through intensive Bible study he began while in prison. He achieved sobriety and maintained it for eight years prior to his death. In a December 2024 interview with the Detroit Free Press, Sharpe reflected on his transformation, noting that as an athlete, his self-esteem came from fan applause and accolades.
Sharpe described having more peace and joy in his later years than during his NFL playing days. He told the Detroit Free Press that “God has taken my mess and turned it into a message.” This perspective became central to his post-football mission of helping others facing similar struggles.
In his final years, Sharpe dedicated himself to addressing drug and mental health crises. He worked alongside his daughter Rebekah to share their story about addiction and its effects on families. Together, they served as ambassadors for Hall of Fame Health, an affiliate of the Pro Football Hall of Fame focused on positively impacting the health of former NFL players and communities nationwide.
Sharpe also counseled patients at a sobriety clinic in Detroit, where he had returned to help others overcome addiction. He worked with the NFL to assist former players with their physical and mental health challenges in their post-playing careers. In 2020, he told The Athletic that helping others gave him a sense of purpose and significance greater than his football accomplishments.
The former offensive lineman recognized that his life experiences, including overcoming numerous obstacles and challenges, positioned him to share his story with others. He believed his fall from grace and subsequent recovery demonstrated that anyone could become a productive member of society regardless of their past struggles.
Arizona-based radio host Kevin McCabe initially reported that Sharpe died peacefully of heart failure. The Cardinals organization and numerous NFL figures have expressed condolences to the Sharpe family, acknowledging both his on-field contributions and his later work helping others overcome addiction.
Sharpe’s legacy extends beyond his football achievements to his transformation from addiction to advocacy. His story of redemption and service to others facing similar challenges became a defining aspect of his later life, demonstrating the same determination that made him successful on the football field.
