Former Arizona Cardinals star offensive tackle Luis Sharpe, a three-time Pro Bowler, passed away at 65 years old on Friday after a battle with personal challenges, his former team confirmed.
Sharpe played his 13-season NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals, starting every game he appeared in, totaling 189 regular-season contests. His journey began when he was selected in the first round of the 1982 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, later rebranded as the Arizona Cardinals in 2002—his final season as an active player.
Throughout his career, Sharpe moved with the franchise, spending the first six seasons in St. Louis before relocating to Arizona. His career coincided with a significant shift in the franchise’s history as it transitioned from its former name to its current identity.
While he enjoyed a successful playing career, Sharpe faced personal setbacks in the years following his retirement. He struggled with addiction and was incarcerated for a time, but he eventually turned his life around, working for the NFL to help former players maintain their health and well-being in their post-playing days.