Shannon Sharpe denies rape allegations, makes claim of ‘secretly recorded video’

Shannon Sharpe denies rape allegations, makes claim of ‘secretly recorded video’

Shannon Sharpe has denied allegations of rape levied against him in a civil lawsuit filed on Sunday, with his attorney claiming Sharpe’s accuser presented the former NFL star with a “secretly recorded” and “heavily edited” video he says is designed to depict a nonconsensual encounter. 

Sharpe, 56, is being sued for $50 million by a woman under the pseudonym “Jane Doe,” who accused the current ESPN personality of Sєxually ᴀssaulting her in late 2024 and early 2025. 

“Mr. Sharpe categorically denies all allegations of coercion or misconduct — especially the gross lie of ‘rape’ — and will not submit to what he sees as an egregious attempt at blackmail,” Sharpe’s attorney, Lanny J. Davis, said in a statement that Sharpe shared on his X account. “He stands firmly by the truth and is prepared to fight these false claims vigorously in court.” 

Shannon Sharpe in November 2024. Getty Images

Davis claims that Sharpe’s accuser “has refused to provide a copy of the full, unedited version of the recording to Mr. Sharpe’s legal team.” 

The statement includes text messages Davis says were sent to Sharpe by his accuser that are graphic in nature and broadly show a desire for relations with Sharpe. 

“The evidence paints a clear picture: this was a consensual, adult relationship that included role-playing, Sєxual language, and fantasy scenarios” requested by Jane Doe, Davis said. 

Shannon Sharpe in December 2024. Getty Images

Doe accused Sharpe of threatening to kill her multiple times. 

“One time specifically, he was yelling at her while there was a firearm visible in his room,” the complaint by Doe, who’s represented by Tony Buzbee, says. “Terrified for her safety, Plaintiff tried sharing her location with friends from her iPhone — just in case. But Sharpe saw her doing this. The moment he realized what she was doing, he grabbed her by the neck and told her ‘If you ever do that again, I will f–king kill you.’” 

Doe also accused Sharpe of recording the two engaged in Sєxual acts without her knowledge and sharing the videos with friends without her consent. 

Shannon Sharpe with the Broncos in 2003. Denver Post via Getty Images

“Defendant Shannon Sharpe, a man who is accustomed to getting what he wants, completely fails to understand this basic concept. After many months of manipulating and controlling Plaintiff — a woman more than thirty years younger than he — and repeatedly threatening to brutally choke and violently slap her, Sharpe refused to accept the answer no and raped Plaintiff, despite her sobbing and repeated screams of ‘no,’” the complaint says. 

Sharpe, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, currently works for ESPN on its “First Take” program and has multiple podcasts. He appeared on “First Take” on Monday. 

ESPN declined comment when reached by The Post’s Jenna Lemoncelli.

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