Former Arizona Cardinals left tackle Luis Sharpe, a three-time Pro Bowl selection widely regarded as the best left tackle in franchise history, has died at age 65. His wife, Tameka Williams-Sharpe, announced his death on Facebook on Saturday, July 12.
The Cuban-born Sharpe played all 13 seasons of his NFL career with the Cardinals from 1982 to 1994, starting all 189 games he played. He was selected by the then-St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 1982 NFL Draft as the 16th overall pick after a successful college career at UCLA.
Sharpe earned Pro Bowl selections in three consecutive seasons from 1987 to 1989 and was named a second-team All-Pro in 1988 and 1990. The 6-foot-5, 275-pound offensive lineman remained with the franchise through its transitions from St. Louis to Phoenix in 1988 and finally to Arizona in 1994, his final season.
Williams-Sharpe expressed in her social media post that her husband’s strength, love and faith were a light to all who knew him. She indicated that while her heart was heavy, she trusted that Luis was resting in God’s eternal peace and requested continued prayers for their family.
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill released a statement acknowledging Sharpe’s uncommon strength and toughness as a player. Bidwill noted that Sharpe admirably demonstrated those same traits when dealing with personal challenges after his career ended. The team sent deepest condolences to all who loved Luis, particularly his family and former teammates.
Following his NFL career, Sharpe battled significant personal struggles with alcohol and drug addiction. He was arrested multiple times, spent time in jail, and was shot twice during drug transactions. The former star lineman experienced homelessness and financial ruin during his darkest period.
However, Sharpe had been sober for eight years prior to his death. He told the Detroit Free Press in December 2024 that the turning point in his life was intensive Bible study he began while in prison. He explained that as an athlete, his self-esteem came from fan applause and accolades, but after being homeless, penniless and hopeless, he found more peace and joy than during his NFL days because God had transformed his struggles into a message of hope.
In recent years, Sharpe dedicated himself to helping others facing similar challenges. He spent time counseling patients at a Detroit sobriety clinic and worked with the NFL to assist former players with their health in their post-playing careers. Sharpe served as an ambassador for Hall of Fame Health, an affiliate of the Pro Football Hall of Fame that aims to positively impact the health of former NFL players and communities nationwide.
Sharpe and his daughter Rebekah had teamed together to address drug and mental health crises by sharing their story about addiction and its effects on their lives. He spoke publicly about his journey, telling audiences that he felt more significant helping others than he ever did playing professional football.
According to Arizona-based radio host Kevin McCabe, who initially reported the death, Sharpe died peacefully of heart failure. The former lineman told The Athletic in 2020 that helping others gave him a sense of purpose and that what he thought was his greatest curse had turned into his greatest blessing.
Sharpe recognized that he had overcome numerous obstacles and challenges throughout his life. He believed God wanted him to share his story with others, telling them about his fall from grace and demonstrating that if he could stand as a productive member of society, others could do the same.
The former offensive lineman briefly left the Cardinals in 1985 to play for the USFL’s Memphis Showboats before returning to the franchise in 1986. He remained with the team through the remainder of his career, becoming one of their most reliable and accomplished players during a period of significant organizational change.
Sharpe’s legacy extends beyond his on-field accomplishments to his later work in addiction recovery and mental health advocacy. His transformation from a struggling former athlete to a voice of hope for others facing similar battles exemplified the strength and resilience that made him successful both as a player and as a person committed to helping others overcome their own challenges.
