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HEADLINE NEWS - Features |
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Tuesday - 10/9/2001
 QUICK FACTS
- Age: 26
- College: University of Virginia
- Birthdate: November 23, 1974 in Richmond, VA
- High School: Hermitage High School
- Jamie was selected by the Ravens in the second round (34th overall) of the 1997 NFL draft. His brother Darren, who is a little less than two years younger than Jamie (11/3/75), was selected in the same draft by the Green Bay Packers (60th overall). Darren led the league in interceptions at the safety position in 2000, and made his Pro Bowl debut as a starter.
- Harry Sharper, Jamie�s father, played college football at Virginia State University and went to training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1971. His football career was cut short by his enlistment in the army.
Jamie on the priorities in the Sharper household:
�Academics before sports. My father was an educator for 28 years at Henrico High School. Both he and my mom made sure we were prepared for school and got our work done. They allowed us the opportunity to play sports. If we didn�t get our work done, we couldn�t play.�
Darren says:
�My father would preach the three F�s. Faith, Family and Football. That was what it was all about in our house.�Pauline Sharper, the brothers� mother, didn�t realize how real her sons� dream of playing professionally was until right before their senior seasons. She said: �It never crossed my mind until the agents started calling. I didn�t pay much attention to the things I heard from the boys, their father or other people, because I really didn�t know that much about football or the business.� Mr. Sharperon the other hand, was keeping an eye on his sons� progress. , �I saw their athletic potential early as high schoolers. Of course, Jamie was bigger and developed faster, but I felt they both could play on the division one level. With each year in college, they got better and I knew, with enough hard work, they would at least have a shot at the pros.� Jamie on the competition between he and his brother:
�We always competed against each other. We would be outside playing basketball or football, and we tried to see who could get the most acknowledgement from our parents. But they always treated us the same. I was always bigger than Darren, but he was always working extra hard to prove that he could hang with me. The same hard work and competitiveness he had then is showing itself now with the Packers.� Jamie on how his father helped them keep their perspective:
�Our father made sure we kept our heads on straight. Even though we had success in college, he always challenged us to think about how we could get better in the next game. He never let us sit back and bask in the glory of our past game, or whatever recognition we received. He was always pushing us to ask ourselves, �What are we going to do next week?� That stayed with us and we don�t get too up with good games or too down with bad games. Because we know there is always another challenge coming. It helps us keep our perspective on our performances.� Jamie on his progress each year since his rookie season (Jamie has increased his tackles each year since 1997 and in the last two years he has gone over 100):
�I plan to get better every year. Every year, if I don�t get better, then I am getting worse. As long as I play in this defense and scheme, there is no reason why I shouldn�t get better.�
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