Shannon Sharpe's close friend pushes to replace him at ESPN with Super Bowl winner axed after rape lawsuit
Sharpe, a former NFL star-turned sports TV analyst, was axed by ESPN on Wednesday just weeks after he reached a settlement with his ex-girlfriend, who had accused him of raping her in a $50million lawsuit.
Johnson, who co-hosts the 'Nightcap' podcast with Sharpe, appeared on ESPN's 'First Take' on Wednesday morning just hours before it was reported that the network had parted ways with the NFL Hall of Famer, who made regular guest appearances on the show.
And the former wide receiver seized the chance to pitch himself to Stephen A. Smith, Molly Qerim and the crew as he appeared to angle for a permanent position in the studio.
'I can get used to this for the next … six months,' Johnson said after host Qerim asked whether he liked the new 'First Take' studio, which is located in Lower Manhattan.
'I'm gonna start September 5, if I'm not mistaken, because 'Thursday Night Football,' first week, so, I should be here Friday.'
'Okay, looking forward to that,' Qerim responded with a laugh before steering Johnson towards 'the boss' as she pointed to Smith, who joined the show remotely.
The ESPN star claimed that he had returned from vacation to join the program for Johnson's guest appearance, which the 47-year-old took as an encouraging sign.
'The fact that you came off vacation for me, that lets me know you're trying to get things started a little early,' Johnson told Smith. 'And I appreciate that. Trying to preheat the oven, I like that. It's gonna be a great season.'
Johnson, who has previously appeared on 'First Take,' joined the program Wednesday to promote EA Sports and popular video game 'Madden NFL 26'.
His appearance came just hours before ESPN officially parted ways with Sharpe, who made regular guest appearances on 'First Take.' The former tight end had been off the air since late April due to the sexual assault lawsuit filed against him by a Jane Doe.
The former NFL star was hit with a bombshell $50million lawsuit back in April after a woman, identified as one of his ex-girlfriends, accused him of raping her on two occasions over the course of their relationship.
Sharpe, who denied the allegations, vowed to return to ESPN later in the year once he had proved his innocence.
Yet just weeks after the accuser reached a settlement and retracted the allegations, it was revealed on Wednesday that he has been fired by ESPN after almost two years.
The Athletic's Andrew Marchand was the first to report ESPN's decision, which was later confirmed by Daily Mail.
Sharpe addressed his shock departure later in the evening, saying at the start of his 'Nightcap' podcast: 'Obviously, I'm sure everybody's heard the news by now that I will not be returning to ESPN.
'I found out this information a little earlier in the week, and really the only thing that I really asked is, "Guys, could we wait until Monday? My brother's going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I really want it to be about him and I want it to be about my family."
'I said, "This coming out will overshadow everything he's worked his entire life for." And unfortunately it didn't happen that way.'
Sharpe spent close to two years with the network after joining popular sports talk show 'First Take' in August 2023. He had departed Fox Sports program 'Undisputed' two months prior.
Asked by Daily Mail if the decision was impacted by the lawsuit or the settlement, an ESPN spokesperson declined to comment. Stephen A. Smith, the network's biggest star and a First Take co-host, previously stated his belief in Sharpe's innocence.
Details of Sharpe's settlement with his accuser have not been revealed publicly.
He was first accused of raping the Plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, in October of 2024, before allegedly doing so again in January after arriving at her home with promises of Christmas and birthday gifts, according to her original complaint.
After filing the lawsuit, Buzbee produced audio of Sharpe seemingly threatening the Plaintiff.
'… I'm gonna f***ing choke the s*** out of you when I see you,' the 56-year-old Sharpe is heard telling the woman.
Sharpe's attorney at the time claimed his client was speaking 'in the heat of the moment' and the violent threat was 'not intended.'
Furthermore, Buzbee alleged that Sharpe offered Doe a 'hefty sum' to settle the case in February, only for the plaintiff to decline the payoff. Five months later an agreement was then reached.
'After protracted and respectful negotiations, I'm pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed upon resolution,' Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee, who represented the accuser, said earlier this month.
'All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed. The lawsuit will thus be dismissed with prejudice.'
A spokesperson for Sharpe's legal team declined comment to Daily Mail at the time, explaining that Buzbee's statement would be the final word on the matter.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
26 minutes ago
- The Independent
Flaco Jimenez, Texas accordionist who expanded popularity of conjunto and Tejano music, dies at 86
Flaco Jimenez, the legendary accordionist from San Antonio who won multiple Grammys and helped expand the popularity of conjunto, Tejano and Tex-Mex music, died Thursday. He was 86. Jimenez's death was announced Thursday evening by his family on social media. 'It is with great sadness that we share tonight the loss of our father, Flaco Jimenez. He was surrounded by his loved ones and will be missed immensely. Thank you to all of his fans and friends—those who cherished his music. And a big thank you for all of the memories. His legacy will live on through his music and all of his fans,' Jimenez's family said in a statement. His family did not disclose a cause of death. Jimenez's family had announced in January that he had been hospitalized and had been 'facing a medical hurdle.' His family did not provide any other information on his medical condition at the time. Born Leonardo Jimenez in 1939, he was known to his fans by his nickname of Flaco, which means skinny in Spanish. He was the son of conjunto pioneer Santiago Jimenez. Conjunto is a musical genre that originated in South Texas and blends different genres and cultural influences. According to the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin, the development of conjunto 'began more than a century ago when Texans of Mexican heritage (Tejanos) took an interest in the accordion music of German, Polish, and Czech immigrants. The ensuing Tejano accordion music, accompanied by the bajo sexto (replacing the European tuba) soon came to represent the Tejano way of life, which was closely associated with working in the agricultural fields. The music remains unchanged and serves as a symbol that binds many Tejano communities in South and Central Texas.' Jimenez refined his conjunto musical skills by playing in San Antonio saloons and dance halls. He began performing in the 1960s with fellow San Antonio native Douglas Sahm, the founding member of the Sir Douglas Quintet. Jimenez also played with Bob Dylan, Dr. John and Ry Cooder. Throughout his career, Jimenez added other influences into conjunto music, including from country, rock and jazz. In the 1990s, Jimenez was part of the Tejano supergroup the Texas Tornados, which included Sahm, Augie Meyers and Freddy Fender. The group won a Grammy in 1991 for the song, 'Soy de San Luis.' Jimenez also won another Grammy in 1999 as part of another supergroup, Los Super Seven. Jimenez earned five Grammys and was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. He was also inducted into the National Hispanic Hall of Fame and NYC International Latin Music Hall of Fame and was named a Texas State Musician in 2014. When Jimenez was named a 2022 National Medal of Arts recipient, the White House said he was being honored for 'harnessing heritage to enrich American music' and that by 'blending Norteño, Tex Mex, and Tejano music with the Blues, Rock n' Roll, and Pop Music, he sings the soul of America's Southwest.' 'Flaco, your legacy will forever be remembered with fond memories. We appreciate the gift of your musical talent, which brought joy to countless fans. Your passing leaves a void in our hearts,' the Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame and Museum said in a post on social media. Kyle Young, the CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, said Jimenez 'was a paragon of Tejano conjunto music.' 'Whether he was recording with Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt or the Rolling Stones, or working with his own supergroup, the Texas Tornados, Flaco drew millions of listeners into a rich musical world they might not have discovered on their own,' Young said. ___
Reuters
27 minutes ago
- Reuters
Cowboys' Micah Parsons: 'I no longer want to be here'
August 1 - Superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons requested a trade on Friday, declaring on social media that "I no longer want to play for the Dallas Cowboys." Parsons, 26, has not been taking part in on-field activities at training camp while seeking a long-term extension that would make him one of the league's highest-paid defensive players. The Athletic reported earlier Friday that the team and the two-time All-Pro are still "far apart" with their contract numbers. Of course, Parsons could be bluffing to force the Cowboys' hand, but the language in his lengthy post Friday on X clearly communicated his frustration. "Yes I wanted to be here. I did everything I could to show that I wanted to be a Cowboys and wear the star on my helmet," Parsons wrote. .".. Unfortunately I no longer want to be here. I no longer want to be held to close door negotiations without my agent present. I no longer want shots taken at me for getting injured while laying it on the line for the organization our fans and my teammates. I no longer want narratives created and spread to the media about me." Parsons said his attempts to discuss an extension started after the 2023 season but have repeatedly been met by "radio silence" from the Cowboys. "Up to today the team has not had a single conversation with my agent about a contract," Parsons wrote. "Not one demand has been made by my agent about money, years or anything else. "Still I stayed quiet but again after repeated shots at myself and all the narratives I have made a tough decision I no longer want to play for the Dallas Cowboys. My trade request has been submitted to Stephen Jones personally." Parsons is scheduled to earn $24 million this season on his fifth-year option. The 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year has recorded double-digit sacks in each of his first four seasons and has watched the market for pass rushers explode. Defensive end Myles Garrett signed a four-year, $160 million extension with the Cleveland Browns. Maxx Crosby inked a three-year, $106.5 million extension with the Las Vegas Raiders. T.J. Watt's extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers was for three years and $123 million. A Parsons extension likely would be in the same ballpark -- or more. Per The Athletic, Parsons and team owner Jerry Jones talked directly in the spring, and the Cowboys believe those conversations were negotiations with a deal for an extension in place. The Parsons' camp instead portrayed the meetings as talks and not negotiations, and that the Cowboys have declined to negotiate with his agent because team officials believed an agreement already was in place. Speaking in April at the NFL's annual league meeting, Jones acknowledged his conversation with Parsons, saying the two spoke for "five or six hours" to work out a long-term extension. "Most of the issues we are in agreement on. We discussed it all," Jones said April 1. "But we obviously don't have an agreement relative to the new contract." The Dallas Morning News reported in March that Parsons was seeking a record-setting $200 million contract extension that would make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Parsons recorded 12 sacks, 43 tackles and two forced fumbles in 13 games (all starts) last season. A Pro Bowl selection in each of his first four seasons in the league, Parsons has totaled 256 tackles (63 for loss), 112 quarterback hits, 52.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 63 career games (all starts). --Field Level Media
The Sun
27 minutes ago
- The Sun
Celebs Go Dating's Louis Russell spoils entire series as he makes red carpet debut with girlfriend
CELEBS Go Dating's Louis Russell has spoiled the entire series as he makes a red carpet debut with his famous girlfriend - before the show even airs. The reality pair were seen holding hands at a world premiere event on Broadway in Los Angeles. 5 5 5 The two reality stars appear to have made their relationship official as they attended the premiere of Weapons together, walking the red carpet hand-in-hand. The loved up pair could be seen wearing matching outfits, with them both opting for stylish black clothing. Huda wore a stunning sheer black lace floor length gown. Meanwhile, Louis wore a black suit, black T-shirt, and black shoes. But this is not the first time their has been rumours about a romance between them. Only a few days ago, the pair were spotted in London together just days after the Love Island US star left the villa. Huda Mustafa made waves during this years Love Island USA when she revealed to the cast she was a Mom and became one of the shows most followed islanders. Although she left the villa single after breaking up with Chris Seeley just days before the final, she quickly sparked dating rumours with British reality star Louis. Louis first gained his fame for his appearance on Netflix's Too Hot to Handle back in 2023. In videos posted on TikTok the pair could be seen happy together in central London. Huda and Louis were first spotted together holding hands just last week in LA as they took a stroll around The Grove. This sparked dating rumours between the pair and their next appearance in the capital further fuelled speculation. But with the new series of Celebrities Go Dating featuring Louis has he just ruined the whole series? The new series kicks off on August 11th at 9pm and it will include TV personality Kerry Katona, Love Island's Olivia Hawkins, comedian and CBB star Donna Preston, and Too Hot To Handle's Louis Russell giving it their best shot at the dating agency. However, this isn't Louis' first time being linked to a Love Island star, he was caught locking lips with his Celebs Go Dating co-star and All Star Islander Olivia Hawkins back in May. Louis and Olivia set tongues wagging by flirting on social media before jetting out to Ibiza to film the show and they wasted no time getting to know each other. The two stars broke the show rules by getting cosy with each other - instead of the non-celebrities taking part. They were joined by co-stars including Christine McGuinness and Kerry Katona at a pool party but had eyes, and lips, for only each other. A show insider revealed at the time: 'It usually takes a few weeks for things to spice up but not with these two. 'Within 48 hours of arriving in Ibiza the sexual spark between them was obvious. "They clearly couldn't resist each other.' 5
