Shannon Sharpe Steps Away From ESPN's First Take Amid Sexual Assault Lawsuit, Continues To Claim Relationship w/ Rape Accuser Was ‘100% Consensual’

Shannon Sharpe has made the decision to (temporarily) step away from ESPN.

via: The Sun

Sharpe insists he's innocent and says he will be "devoting time to family" as he launches an all-out war against the shocking claims made by an ex-lover.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Sharpe said, "The relationship in question was 100% consensual" before announcing his departure.

"At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties," he said.

"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."

Sharpe's announcement came after an anonymous woman claimed that her nearly two-year relationship with the former NFL star ended in two horrific rapes.

She said the two met at a Los Angeles gym in January 2023 and had a consensual relationship before Sharpe started manipulating and controlling her.

In October 2024, Sharpe, 56, allegedly "violently sexually assaulted and anally raped" the woman as she desperately cried for him to stop, court documents seen by The U.S. Sun state.

The same horrific attack allegedly took place in January in Las Vegas, Nevada, the suit claims.

This came after months of Sharpe allegedly "threatening to brutally choke and violently slap" the woman and refusing to "accept the answer no."

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.

After Sharpe announced his departure, ESPN released a statement saying, "This is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon's decision to step away."

'KNOWN WOMANIZER'

After the lawsuit against Sharpe came to light, anonymous staffers who worked on First Take admitted that they'd been waiting for the host to be axed.

"We all know Shannon is a known womanizer, that he is always the kind of guy who likes to seduce and be nice and slick with ladies, but that lawsuit is bringing a bad vibe into the team," one insider exclusively told The U.S. Sun.

"The crew is deeply disturbed by it."

The staffer said Sharpe's suit added fuel to an "already tense" environment on set, and that their coworkers were discussing how to best address the situation.

"It is such a weird vibe going on, and we all don't know what is gonna happen, and how to deal with this.

"It’s another bad story linked with someone of the show, we have had enough of those in the last year or so, people just want a normal work space and not have to deal with this kind of thing anymore."

Another furious insider said news of the lawsuit was a "hit in the face."

"Nobody wants to deal with this kind of thing and be around Shannon," the staffer said.

The insider agreed that Shannon was "always giving compliments" to women and that he "loves the attention of the ladies."

"Nothing wrong with that, but sometimes he can be a bit too seductive," said the staffer.

"We don’t know also what will happen to him, and maybe he should be put aside for a bit until the case gets to court."

The U.S. Sun has reached out to Sharpe for comment.

'MONEY GRAB'

Sharpe's accuser claims the NFL star would say that he's coming over with gifts before acting aggressively toward her.

She's now seeking $50 million in damages, which Sharpe's team claims is a desperate money grab.

"The lawsuit is a blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars," attorney Lanny Davis said.

According to Davis, the ESPN host tried to settle with the accuser before the lawsuit was filed.

DISTURBING LIVESTREAM

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.

"She tried to resist him. She screamed," the court documents said.

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.