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Shannon Sharpe Finally Reveals How He Got the Nickname “Unc” After Becoming a Meme Stock Overnight

Deepesh Nair
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Shannon Sharpe Speaks About the Origin of His Cigar Meme on the New Heights Podcast

Over the years, the former NFL Tight End Shannon Sharpe has become the voice of football with his witful commentaries and analyzing abilities. The Hall of Famer happens to be a true ambassador of the game, especially because of the legendary memes that come along with the commentary. Recently, he spoke about the story that made him “Unc” in the football fraternity and fans constantly trolling him online.

Ever since Sharpe left the NFL arena, he has remained connected to the game through his illustrious broadcasting career. He aced the art of analysis and debate with his raw skills of unbiased commentary and citing examples from his pro football career. His antics on & off the camera made him a fan favorite and took the reach of UNDISPUTED to a whole new level.

Shannon Sharpe reveals the story behind his amazing nickname

The unparalleled partnership of Sharpe and Skip Bayless has given football fans a heap of memories. They are just a treat to watch, and Sharpe never disappoints. Recently, the 54-year-old appeared for an interaction in the newly launched New Heights podcast. This show is hosted by the Kelce brothers, Travis and Jason Kelce, and gives a sneak peek into the lifestyles of NFL legends.

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More often, they invite guests from the sports fraternity, and last week, it was none other than Shannon Sharpe who shared experiences from his career. While speaking about life off camera, the Kelce brothers asked Sharpe to comment on his cigar meme that gained widespread recognition on social media.

“The internet started this in 2016. The Broncos were playing the Cowboys. Obviously, the Broncos won the game, and I was like, “Oh man, I want to celebrate man. What can I celebrate?” Sharpe said.

“So I stopped by the convenience store because at that time I was getting up at 3:15 because I had to go to work at four. Convenience store was open. I was like, “Man, what can I celebrate with? So I grabbed Black & Milds, and I had a bottle of Hennessy, and I’m like, okay, I came out and got a hand with Black & Milds. I have a bottle of Hennessy,” Sharpe had said.

“At the time, I had a stocking cap on. And from that point on, they said, he “Unc ” and the cookout.” he added. Indeed, the legendary meme still remains popular among football fans.

Sharpe has come a long way to achieve the success he enjoys today

The former tight end played for 14 years in the NFL, primarily for the Denver Broncos. Per SB Nation, he has recorded 815 receptions, 10,060 passing yards, and 62 touchdowns in this tenure. All those eight Pro Bowl selections and three Super Bowl rings made him an absolute legend of the game, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

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Often known for keeping his personal life to himself, the veteran actually went teary-eyed during the ceremony when he spoke about the immense sacrifices made by his grandma and other family members. His story is a rag-to-riches one which is definitely going to inspire players for years to come.

About the author

Deepesh Nair

Deepesh Nair

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Deepesh is an NFL consultant at The SportsRush. Having started his career in journalism as a trending news correspondent, he has ventured into the world of sports reporting, and NFL happens to be his area of expertise. While the iconic duo of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski excites him more than anything, he believes Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce might surpass the NFL greats someday. Apart from football, Deepesh loves following the royal game of Chess and cricket. Watching movies, coding, and fitness are some of his other pursuits off working hours.

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