VIDEO: Former NFL star Shannon Sharpe responds to $50million lawsuit over alleged rape
Pro Football Hall of Famer and ESPN personality Shannon Sharpe has been hit with a $50 million civil lawsuit by a woman alleging he raped, threatened, and emotionally abused her during what she described as a “rocky consensual relationship.”
The lawsuit, filed on Sunday in Clark County, Nevada, identifies the complainant as Jane Doe and alleges that the 56-year-old former NFL star used “physical force,” inflicted “emotional distress,” and covertly recorded sexual encounters without consent.
According to court documents, the woman first encountered Sharpe in a Los Angeles gym in 2023 when she was just 20 years old. A nearly two-year relationship ensued, which she claims became increasingly abusive. Sharpe is accused of raping her in October 2024 and again in January this year.
“Sharpe flew into fits of anger when Plaintiff noted his infidelity to their relationship, or called him out about his extraneous activities,” the lawsuit claims. It further alleges that Sharpe managed to “get into Doe’s apartment complex without her permission,” intensifying concerns over control and boundary violations.
Sharpe has strongly denied the allegations. On Monday, he posted a statement from his lawyer, Lanny J. Davis, on X (formerly Twitter), dismissing the claims as a calculated attempt to extract money under false pretenses.
“It is filled with lies, distortions, and misrepresentations — and it will not succeed,” Davis said in defence of his client. He described the lawsuit as “a blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars.”
The civil complaint also details verbal abuse and threats. It states that Sharpe once threatened to kill the complainant and made her feel trapped in a volatile and dangerous relationship.
Sharpe, a three-time Super Bowl champion and former All-Pro tight end, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. Over a 14-year career with the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, he set multiple records for tight ends — including receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns — although those have since been surpassed.
Since retiring from the NFL, Sharpe has remained a prominent figure in sports media, known for his outspoken personality. He previously co-hosted FS1’s “Undisputed” before joining ESPN in 2023.
No criminal charges have been filed as of now, and the case will proceed as a civil suit. Sharpe and his legal team have vowed to challenge the allegations vigorously in court.
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— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) April 22, 2025
