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Shannon Sharpe Releases Blunt Statement, 'This Is A Shakedown'

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 1:19 PM ET

Shannon Sharpe's personal life has bled into his professional career this week, and the Hall of Fame player is actively attempting to get in front of the controversy.

A woman says that the 56-year-old Sharpe raped her multiple times during their two-year relationship. The woman seeks $50 million in damages after what she describes as a "rocky consensual relationship" with Sharpe.

She alleges that the former NFL star became violent, threatening to kill her and recording their sexual activities without consent. The lawsuit against Sharpe was filed on Monday, and new audio provided to TMZ appears to prove that Sharpe did indeed threaten the woman's life.

As the allegations continue and public opinion continues to shift away from Sharpe, the Pro Football Hall of Famer released a statement on social media Tuesday.

pic.twitter.com/Tm1vbA3xPn
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) April 22, 2025

"To my family, friends, supporters and colleagues, I want to speak to you directly and from the heart: this is a shakedown. I'm going to be open, transparent and defend myself because this isn't right," Sharpe said.

"This is all being orchestrated by Tony Buzbee, who has targeted Jay-Z. Tony Buzbee targets Black men and I believe he's going to release a 30-second clip of a sextape that makes me look guilty, and plays into every stereotype you could possibly imagine."

Sharpe then said that the clip Buzbee and the woman provided to TMZ is a snippet of a larger encounter.

"That video should actually be ten minutes or so," Sharpe said. "Hey Tony. Instead of releasing your edit, put the whole video out. I don't have it, or I would myself. You know what happened, and you're trying to manipulate the media."

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Former NFL player Shannon Sharpe speaks onstage during day one with SiriusXM at Super Bowl LIV on January 29, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM

Sharpe said that Buzbee and his client are seeking $50 million in damages, but Sharpe says that he intends to counter-sue for defamation.

"My career is all about real talk and honesty. I know my family and fans know exactly what this is about," Sharpe said in his video on Tuesday.

"And I'm going to be out there telling you whatever I need to say, just like I always do."

Sharpe's attorneys have said the allegations are a series of "lies, distortions, and misrepresentations," and it seems they're willing to fight them until their client is exonerated.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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