Brett Favre and LeRoy Butler insist that Sterling Sharpe belongs in the Hall of Fame

A pair of Green Bay Packers legends will compete Sterling sharp …and insists this week that the former wide receiver “absolutely” belongs in the Hall of Fame.

Both Brett Favre And Le Roy Butler didn’t make a big deal about it during sit-downs with TMZ Sports this week … saying the 59-year-old more than deserves an arrest in Canton later this year.

Both – who played with Sharpe in the 1990s – actually seemed bewildered. It’s still a question. Butler told us that if Sharpe’s seven-year career hadn’t been cut short by injuries, “He would be the GOAT.”

“He would be the greatest of all time,” the Hall of Fame safety said.

Due to toe and neck problems, Sharpe only logged time in 112 games… but he put up staggering numbers nonetheless. He caught 595 passes for 8,134 yards… and recorded 65 receiving TDs. He also earned All-Pro honors three times, as well as five Pro Bowl selections.

During our interview with Favre, he called Sharpe (who is Shannon‘s brother) “unwatchable” and “incredible.”

“He wasn’t the fastest,” said the former Sharpe quarterback, “he wasn’t the tallest, but he was by far the smartest – maybe the smartest football player I ever played with. And that’s saying a lot.”

Sharpe is currently one of five finalists vying for as many as three spots in this year’s HOF class. In an ironic twist, his old coach said, Mike Holmgrenis actually one of four others the committee will vote on.

Favre said he was hopeful they would both get in… and told us, “To be there with all those guys would be nothing short of amazing. It would be a great time.”