Jason Whitlock has been proven correct with what he said about Shannon Sharpe in the past.
Sharpe, who was a Hall of Fame tight end, became famous as a sports media personality after co-hosting “Undisputed” with Skip Bayless on FS1 from 2016-2023. When Sharpe left the show in 2023, he painted himself as a victim. Stephen A. Smith, who helped get Sharpe hired at ESPN, stated that Sharpe was “pushed out” and did not want to leave FS1.
In response to that talk, Whitlock set out to clarify matters. Whitlock hosted/co-hosted FS1 show “Speak for Yourself” from 2016-2020. Since he was working at FS1 at the same time that Bayless and Sharpe were there, Whitlock claimed to have had more background on the matter.
‘Shannon Sharpe’s HR file is amazing’
Whitlock said in 2023 that FS1 wanted Sharpe out “for very good reasons” and stated that the Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end’s “HR file is amazing.”
“Shannon Sharpe needs to cut it out,” Whitlock said on his “Fearless with Jason Whitlock” program in 2023. “I know what happened at FS1. And if Shannon and Stephen A. keep pushing this agenda, I’m going to expose all that I know, and I know all of it. So, cut it out, guys. Shannon Sharpe’s HR file is amazing. They wanted him out for very good reasons. Skip Bayless, FOX Sports and now ESPN are dealing with it.”
Whitlock described Sharpe as a “very dangerous and emotional person.”
Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith need to cut it out. I know what happened at FS1. pic.twitter.com/xtFx7s8gu1
— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) September 15, 2023
Well, guess what? On Thursday, a report emerged saying that Sharpe had been accused of choking a co-worker during his time at FS1, which spanned 2016-2023. Sharpe reportedly paid the woman a six-figure settlement.
Skip Bayless lawsuit
In early 2025, Skip Bayless was sued by a former FS1 hairdresser who claimed Bayless made inappropriate advances towards her. In that lawsuit, Joy Taylor was named as someone who allegedly slept with people at FS1 in order to advance at work.
Whitlock attempted to provide context for the allegations Bayless was facing. He claimed that Bayless had been baited into a sexual Olympics by Sharpe.
“Shannon walked around that place like he was banging every makeup and wardrobe girl in the place,” Whitlock said in January 2025. “Shannon was known for running around [his downstairs, dressing room area] in the tightest little boxer shorts he could find, and nothing else.”
Jason Whitlock reveals that skip bayless once accused former undisputed moderator jenny Taft of having a relationship with Shannon sharpe and she made a complaint to HR allegedly pic.twitter.com/ZqE9bUrDa8
— joebuddenclips/fanpage (@Chatnigga101) January 6, 2025
Sharpe steps away from ESPN
Sharpe announced on Thursday that he was stepping away from ESPN until August. The announcement comes days after a woman filed a $50 million lawsuit against Sharpe. She accused him of sexual misconduct.
Sharpe is facing allegations that he disputes. Nothing Whitlock said means that Sharpe is guilty. However, Whitlock stated in 2023 that Sharpe was not a victim who had been pushed out by FS1 for wrong reasons. He said that Sharpe’s behavior behind-the-scenes was a problem for the network. News emerging Thursday saying that Sharpe had to pay a settlement to a co-worker while working at FS1 confirms what Whitlock reported at the time.
