Shannon Sharpe forced to release statement after ESPN star's ...
SHANNON Sharpe has released a fresh statement after an unfortunate livestream on Instagram, admitting the leak was NOT a hack as first claimed.
NFL Hall of Famer turned ESPN analyst Sharpe, 56, went viral on Wednesday after sharing what many believed to be a "sex tape."
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In the live stream, which has since been removed, moaning could be heard along with various sexual comments.
Over 6,000 fans were watching at one point, with the stream flooded with comments from many of his 3.2 million Instagram followers.
And after initially claiming he had been "hacked", Sharpe has now admitted the noises heard were indeed him having intimate relations.
He told the Nightcap Show: “I’m embarrassed. I’m someone that’s extremely private The audio was heard for the entire world to hear. People count on Shannon.
“I always try to be professional even when behind closed doors. 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’.
“My heart sank, it dropped. I just got to tell them the truth, my phone wasn’t hacked, it was me being active. Unc ain’t lying.”
Sharpe had previously responded to the stream by claiming he had been "hacked."
"Beware my @shannonsharpe84 Instagram was hacked this morning, my team and I are working vigorously to figure this out - UNC," he wrote on his Stories.
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Unfortunately for Sharpe, it seems his 'hacking' claim wasn't bought by many on X.
"Shannon Sharpe, you can't 'I was hacked' your way out of this one!," one responded.
"Kinda feel like Shannon Sharpe should just own up to it, ain't no way you were hacked," commented a second.
"Hack doesn't mean it wasn't him...He's saying someone had access to his phone and posted that"
While a fourth noted, "Shannon Sharpe was just lecturing Ocho (Chad Johnson) about professionalism on their Nightcap show."
Even Sharpe's ESPN colleagues have weighed in.
"Man, when is the next episode of @NightcapShow_? That mug gonna be [fire]," tweeted Ryan Clark.
"The OG Shay Sharpe was doing what now?!" added Damien Woody.
The 'lecture' referred to by the X user came on September 8, when Sharpe addressed criticism he had received from fans after he previously called out Nightcap podcast co-host Johnson for being late.
Shannon Sharpe's playing career
Shannon Sharpe was a three-time Super Bowl champion before his heavyweight media career.
The former tight end played in the NFL from 1990 until 2003 - mostly with the Denver Broncos.
He was part of the Super Bowl championship teams in 1998 and 1999 as well as the Baltimore Ravens' title-winning team in 2001.
Sharpe was an eight-time Pro Bowler and voted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He finished with 10,060 career receiving yards from 815 receptions with 62 touchdowns.
The ex-NFL star has had just as strong a career on television screens since retiring.
"I'm going to push, I'm going to pull, I'm going to drag [Johnson] to a level he didn't think he could get to," Sharpe said.
Sharpe explained that he wanted Johnson to take their venture as seriously as he does his roles on First Take and Inside The NFL.
He also called on his co-star to bring "a level of professionalism" to their show.
"There has to be courtesy of being on time," Sharpe added.
After departing FS1's Undisputed in 2023, he made the move to ESPN where he serves as a co-host on First Take on Mondays and Tuesdays.
In July, Sharpe signed a new long-term deal with the network, which will involve him taking on more roles elsewhere within ESPN.
"Being a part of this family has been a blessing. Everything about this relationship with ESPN, Stephen A. [Smith], and First Take, has been tremendous," Sharpe stated at the time.
"I look forward to expanding my role and showing more of the world what I have to offer. The show goes on!"
Along with his role on First Take and the Nightcap podcast, he also hosts his own podcast, Club Shay Shay.
Prior to his broadcasting career, Sharpe was a star tight end for 14 seasons, during which time he won three Super Bowls.
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