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Shannon Sharpe temporarily steps down from ESPN duties amid $50 million lawsuit
Shannon Sharpe, the Hall of Fame tight end turned TV personality, announced on Thursday that he is stepping away from his duties at ESPN for the time being. His decision follows a $50 million civil lawsuit filed against him by a woman who alleges that he raped and threatened her.
In a statement, Sharpe said he would return to his ESPN role at the beginning of the NFL preseason, which begins with the first game on July 31.
'I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me,' he said.
'I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming and ongoing support I have received from my family, fans, friends and colleagues.'
The lawsuit was filed on Sunday in Clark County, Nevada, by a woman identified as Jane Doe. According to court documents, the woman met Sharpe at a gym in Los Angeles in 2023 when she was 20 years old, and the two had a relationship that lasted nearly two years.
The documents claim that Sharpe raped her in October 2024 and again in January, in addition to using physical force and causing emotional distress.
Sharpe, 56, has denied the allegations through a lawyer's statement posted on his X account on Monday.
The statement described the relationship as consensual and called the lawsuit a 'blatant and cynical attempt to shake down' Sharpe for money.
Sharpe is a three-time Super Bowl champion, having won twice with the Denver Broncos and once with the Baltimore Ravens during his 14-season NFL career from 1990 to 2003. He was a four-time All-Pro selection and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
At the time of his retirement, Sharpe held the NFL records for tight ends in receptions (815), receiving yards (10,060), and touchdowns (62), all of which have since been surpassed.
Following his retirement, Sharpe became a major figure in sports media.
He was a longtime co-host of FS1's debate show 'Undisputed' before leaving the network in 2023 and moving to ESPN, where he has continued to be a prominent voice in sports commentary.
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