ESPN analyst Shannon Sharpe was the topic of discussion for the recent episode of Stephen A. Smith’s YouTube show, where he took a neutral stance on the issue his colleague is facing.
In one of his recent videos, Stephen A. Smith discussed the issue Shannon Sharpe is currently facing, making clear that while he “roots” for him, he is in no capacity to talk about his guilt or innocence.
“We’ve grown close as friends,” Sith said of his history with Sharpe. “I’d like to believe that. I certainly root for him. I know he’s been through a lot in life. He’s overcome a lot of things, and when he departed from Fox, I was more than happy to bring him on board here [on ESPN].”
“It’s important to point out a couple of things,” he added. “Number one, I was not there, I am not I can provide no eyewitness account. And even though I got love and respect for Shannon Sharpe, and I’m sincerely hopeful and prayerful that he is completely innocent of the allegations that have been levied against him, I can’t sit here and speak to his innocence or guilt from a knowledgeable place because I have nothing to do with this.”
“I haven’t seen anything. I don’t know anything. I don’t even know this person [Jane Doe]. I know what the reports say.”
“This is not a criminal case,” Smith added. “So, it’s not there is no concern about him going to jail. This is a civil case. Which means that he could either be found liable or not liable.”
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In a video he released on social media, Shannon Sharpe broke his silence on the allegations of sexual assault thrown at him through a $50 million lawsuit. In his statement, Sharpe downplayed the lawsuit as a “shakedown” and an orchestrated attack by lawyer Tony Buzbee.
“This is all being orchestrated by Tony Buzbee, who has targeted Jay-Z,” Sharpe said. “Tony Buzbee targets black men, and I believe he’s going to release a 30-second clip of a sex tape that tries to make me look guilty and play into every stereotype you could possibly imagine.”
In the same video, Shannon Sharpe also made clear his intention to sue Buzbee and the Jane Doe for defamation.
How Deep Is Stephen A. Smith’s History With Shannon Sharpe?
Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe have shared a dynamic professional relationship. The relationship deepened when Sharpe joined ESPN’s “First Take” in 2023, following his departure from FOX Sports. Smith played a pivotal role in recruiting Sharpe to the show, recognizing his potential to elevate the program’s appeal.
The collaboration between Stephen A. Smith and Sharpe contributed to First Take maintaining its status as one of the top sports talk shows, with both personalities complementing each other’s strengths.
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