FIRST Take star Shannon Sharpe has stepped away from ESPN after being accused of forcibly sexually assaulting a woman.
Sharpe said he would be “devoting time to family” as he launches an all-out war against shocking claims that he threatened to kill an ex-lover.
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In a statement posted on Instagram, Sharpe wrote, “The relationship in question was 100% consensual.
“At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties.
“I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me.
“I plan to retire to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason.
“I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming and ongoing support I have received from my family, fans, friends, and colleagues.”
The alleged victim claimed she was relentlessly pursued by Sharpe after meeting him in a Los Angeles gym in January 2023.
She claimed Sharpe messaged and called her, demanding her to come to his mansion, according to court documents seen by The U.S. Sun.
Sharpe’s defense team has always claimed the star and woman had a consensual relationship.
But, in the documents, she has alleged that he showed signs of threatening behavior during their relationship.
She described one alleged encounter and claimed that he threatened to kill her.
He allegedly lashed out after spotting her trying to share her iPhone location with pals.
Tony Buzbee, the lawyer who filed the suit, released an audio conversation featuring Sharpe and the alleged victim.
The pair appeared to be arguing before Sharpe hurled threats.
Sharpe has been accused of rape on two separate occasions, according to the court documents.
The alleged rape incidents happened after a livestream emerged of the star engaging in sexual activity.
Last fall, a live stream emerged on social media, which Sharpe initially tried to downplay as a hack before making an admission.
The U.S. Sun reported how sexual-like noises could be heard in the clip.
Sharpe said he was left embarrassed and disappointed.
“I always try to be professional even when behind closed doors,” he told the Nightcap Show
“I’m very disappointed in myself. Not for the act but for the audio to be heard.
“My kids, I called them, called my sister. This was not staged. I came in, threw my phone on the bed, engaged in an activity.
“All of a sudden people are calling me, ‘Shannon you’re on IG Live. They can hear you were having sex’.”
Sharpe admitted his “heart sank” when he learned of the revelations.
The woman claimed Sharpe forced himself on her in an alleged incident that happened in October 2024.
The second alleged sexual assault happened in January 2025.
The woman claimed Sharpe had turned up at her house with promises of gifts.
Shannon Sharpe’s playing career
Shannon Sharpe was a three-time Super Bowl champion before his heavyweight media career.
The former tight end played in the NFL from 1990 until 2003 – mostly with the Denver Broncos.
He was part of the Super Bowl championship teams in 1998 and 1999 as well as the Baltimore Ravens’ title-winning team in 2001.
Sharpe was an eight-time Pro Bowler and voted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He finished with 10,060 career receiving yards from 815 receptions with 62 touchdowns.
The ex-NFL star has had just as strong a career on television screens since retiring.
“She tried to resist him. She screamed,” the court documents said.
The woman alleged Sharpe became more aggressive.
Sharpe’s team have strongly denied any allegations.
The woman is seeking $50 million in damages.
“The lawsuit is a blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars,” attorney Lanny Davis said.
Davis claimed the lawsuit contains “lies and distortions.”
The attorney claimed Sharpe was willing to settle the case before the lawsuit was submitted.
The allegations prompted ESPN bosses to investigate.
Stephen A. Smith opened up on a conversation he had with Jimmy Pitaro.
Pitaro was named chairman of ESPN in February 2023.
Smith claimed he was told by Pitaro that ESPN chiefs were taking the allegations seriously, as reported by TMZ.
“We are looking into this very, very closely,” Pitaro reportedly told Smith.
“And once we gather as many facts as we possibly can, we will go from there.”
ESPN refused to comment when approached by The U.S. Sun for comment.
Sharpe starred for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens during his NFL career.
He is a three-time Super Bowl champion and was named in the NFL’s 1990s All-Decade Team.
Sharpe is considered one of the greatest tight ends of all time.
During his illustrious playing career, he starred in eight Pro Bowls.
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