Shannon Sharpe
Stepping Away From ESPN After Rape Lawsuit
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Shannon Sharpe says he is stepping away from his ESPN gig … 4 days after a girl claimed in a lawsuit he raped her.
The Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer introduced the choice on his X web page on Thursday afternoon … stating he is “quickly” leaving his seat on the “First Take” desk to be able to deal with “false and disruptive allegations set towards me.”
Sharpe added, as of now, he is planning to return to his spot subsequent to Stephen A. Smith later this summer time — proper across the begin of the NFL’s preseason.
In his assertion, Sharpe thanked his followers for all the help he is acquired this week — after a Jane Doe said in a lawsuit Sunday he sexually assaulted her in October 2024 and January 2025 … following a virtually two-year-long relationship.
As a part of his announcement, Sharpe maintained he dedicated no wrongdoing … saying, “The connection in query was 100% consensual.”
Sharpe first hit ESPN airwaves again in 2023 … after Smith recruited him to be his companion on “First Take.” In February 2024, he agreed to an extension to remain on this system. Regardless of Sunday’s submitting, he appeared on each Monday and Tuesday’s episodes of the present with out difficulty.
An ESPN spokesperson advised TMZ Sports activities following Sharpe’s announcement, “It is a severe scenario, and we agree with Shannon’s determination to step away.”
