Shannon Sharpe issued a statement on Thursday announcing that he is temporarily stepping away from ESPN, and the Hall of Fame tight end was widely mocked over the way he delivered the news.
Sharpe is taking a leave from ESPN and his “First Take” appearances after a woman made troubling assault allegations against him in a lawsuit seeking more than $50 million. Sharpe has maintained his innocence and says his relationship with the woman — who was identified by Sharpe’s legal team as Gabriella Zuniga — was completely consensual.
Sharpe shared his statement about his temporary leave from ESPN via social media. He did so by posting a screenshot:
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) April 24, 2025
The screenshot made it obvious that the statement was sent to Sharpe, likely via his attorneys or public relations team, for him to share. Sharpe’s camp probably wanted him to transcribe the statement himself as if he wrote it, but he did not bother with that step.
Fans mocked Sharpe for skipping that seemingly important step:
Shannon when your lawyer texted you that he probably didn’t mean post a screenshot. I’m guessing he wanted you to copy and paste it
— greg (@greg16676935420) April 24, 2025
Shannon you’re supposed to copy and paste what the PR team sends you, not screenshot their text of it
— Francis O’Reilly – ChiClone (@ChiClone69) April 24, 2025
Lmao my man just screenshotted what the attorney sent and just posted it.
— Kris Sidial🇺🇸 (@Ksidiii) April 24, 2025
Come on man!!! 🤦🏽♂️
bro just took a SS of his lawyer texts😂
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) April 24, 2025
Sharpe has accused Zuniga of a shakedown and concocting a scheme after Sharpe refused to have a baby with her. The suit has led to a number of embarrassing text messages being released, and Sharpe’s lawyers insist they are proof that the 56-year-old is innocent.
ESPN has yet to make a firm statement about Sharpe’s future, and it is unclear if or when he might return from his hiatus.
