Serial Rapist Darren Sharper Nominated For Pro Football Hall Of Fame

And it's not the first time.
Darren Sharper in 2010 as a member of the New Orleans Saints.
Darren Sharper in 2010 as a member of the New Orleans Saints.
Sean Gardner / Reuters

The nominees for the 2017 Pro Football Hall of Fame class were announced on Wednesday — and one name stands out for all the wrong reasons.

Darren Sharper, a five-time Pro Bowl safety, made the list of 94 former players and coaches up for the honor. He’s also serving an 18-year prison sentence for drugging and raping women in four states.

Sharper was nominated last year as well, only to receive zero votes from the selection committee. And just like one year ago, several outlets noted after the news broke that “character” is not among the criteria for being included.

The only restriction on nominations is “a player and coach must have been retired at least five years before he can be considered,” according to the Hall of Fame website.

Additionally, “Any fan may nominate any player, coach or contributor who has been connected with pro football simply by writing to the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” according to the organization.

Sharper, 40, was booted from the Hall of Fame at his alma matter, the College of William & Mary, after he pleaded guilty to the rape charges.

The selection committee will meet in February 2017 to vote on the nominees.

This story has been updated to include additional information about the selection process.

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