Shannon Sharpe has introduced he’s quickly stepping away from his work on ESPN after being accused of rape in a $50 million lawsuit by a girl utilizing the pseudonym “Jane Doe,” alleging a litany of offenses together with sexual battery and assault.
The 56-year-old NFL Corridor of Famer made the assertion on social media by posting a screenshot of a textual content message. The previous Denver Broncos tight finish stated he wants time away from his work to combat allegations that he known as “false and disruptive.”
The announcement on his private X account reads: “My statement is found here and this is the truth. The relationship in question was 100% consensual.”
He added: “At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties. 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 return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason.”
Sharpe noted that he “sincerely” appreciates “the overwhelming and ongoing support I have received from my family, fans, friends and colleagues.”
The NFL preseason typically begins in early August. In a statement reported by Variety, ESPN said: “This is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon’s decision to step away.”
The 13-page lawsuit, which was filed Sunday in a Nevada court, alleges that the ESPN analyst dedicated assault, sexual assault, battery, sexual battery, and deliberately inflicted emotional misery, all throughout a “rocky consensual relationship.” The connection was with a girl greater than 30 years youthful than Sharpe, and lasted for 2 years.
“Mr. Sharpe categorically denies all allegations of coercion or misconduct – particularly the gross lie of ‘rape’ — and won’t undergo what he sees as an egregious try at blackmail,” Lanny J. Davis, who’s representing Sharpe, stated within the assertion, in line with the New York Post.
“He stands firmly by the reality and is ready to combat these false claims vigorously in courtroom. He seems ahead to vindication via due course of and a judgment primarily based on the details and the regulation,” Davis added.
The girl suing Sharpe alleges that Sharpe sexually assaulted her a number of instances on the finish of final 12 months and in the beginning of this 12 months. It additionally alleges that Sharpe threatened to kill her, and displayed “manipulating and controlling” conduct, and that he “repeatedly” threatened to “brutally choke and violently slap her.”
The lawsuit reportedly states: “One time particularly, he was yelling at her whereas there was a firearm seen in his room. Terrified for her security, Plaintiff tried sharing her location with pals from her iPhone — simply in case. However Sharpe noticed her doing this. The second he realized what she was doing, he grabbed her by the neck and advised her ‘In case you ever try this once more, I’ll f****** kill you.’”
The authorized submitting additionally states that Sharpe secretly recorded the 2 having intercourse with out the lady’s information, and subsequently shared the footage with pals with out her being conscious of the tape or giving her permission.
