Shannon Sharpe makes first public appearance since ESPN firing as he presents brother with Hall of Fame jacket
Shannon Sharpe made his first public appearance since his ESPN firing on Friday night, as he helped induct his brother into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Sharpe 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.
Despite the settlement, ESPN relieved Sharpe, 57, of his duties almost two years since prizing him away from rivals Fox Sports.
Sharpe later broke his silence and accused the network of ignoring his request to delay the announcement until next week – with the Hall of Fame induction looming.
Though they did not honor his request, Sharpe remained in good spirits on Friday night when he was seen on stage with his brother Sterling.
The axed ESPN analyst was seen putting the prestigious gold jacket on his brother Sterling as the duo became the first set of brothers to be in the Hall of Fame.
Shannon Sharpe made his first public appearance after getting fired by ESPN on Wednesday
Sharpe provided his brother Sterling with a gold jacket at Friday night’s Hall of Fame induction
There were plenty of cheers from the fans in attendance when Sharpe’s name was called out, as the brothers shared a heartwarming embrace on stage.
Sterling then took off the blazer he had worn on the night and Shannon replaced it with the gold jacket – before they went arm-in-arm waving at the fans.
In a brief moment, Shannon became overwhelmed with emotion and removed his sunglasses in order to wipe his tears away.
It’s been a rollercoaster week for Sharpe after his sacking from ESPN. Addressing the shock departure, he said: ‘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.’
Sterling, 60, spent all seven years of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers, where he became a five-time Pro Bowl and three-time All-Pro wide receiver while leading the league in receptions in three separate seasons.
Shannon is a three-time Super Bowl champion who enjoyed two successful stints with the Denver Broncos and a brief spell with the Baltimore Ravens in his 13-year career.
Sharpe broke his silence on his ESPN departure after being axed by the network
Sharpe feared that his firing upstaged his brother Sterling (right)’s induction official Pro Football Hall of Fame induction
After stressing that he ‘really enjoyed’ his time with ESPN and that he was ‘very, very grateful for the opportunity’, Sharpe stressed that he was disappointed to upstage his brother with the news of his axing.
‘They did what they felt they needed to do, and I’m at peace with that,’ he added about his now-former employers. ‘But I just wish this thing could have waited until Monday, because I hate the fact that I’ve overshadowed my brother.
‘The first two brothers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and this is what the headline’s gonna be for the next few days.’
Shannon then sent a message to Sterling after revealing he had told him not to apologize earlier in the day. ‘Bro, I know you told me I don’t have to apologize, but I’m gonna do it one final time tonight and I won’t apologize again,’ he added.
‘I’m sorry that I upstaged you in this manner. That was never my intent. You’ve been my hero, you’ve been my role model from as long as I can remember.
‘I apologize and I thank all my fans for supporting me, when I was at ESPN and every place that I’ve been – be it Club Shay Shay, Nightcap, Undisputed, ESPN. Thank you guys for your support.’
Details of Sharpe’s settlement with his former accuser have not been revealed publicly
The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand was the first to report ESPN’s decision, which was later confirmed by Daily Mail.
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.
