Shannon Sharpe, the former NFL star and current ESPN personality, is facing serious allegations from a woman who claims he raped her on two occasions in 2024 and 2025. As part of the ongoing legal battle, Sharpe’s attorney, Lanny J. Davis, released a series of text messages, one of which shows the alleged victim confronting Sharpe about the alleged assault.

In a text sent on January 2, 2025, the woman wrote to Sharpe, saying, “no means no shannon” and revealing that she had begged him to use a condom and refrain from certain actions during their encounter. She also expressed her confusion and emotional distress, stating, “I don’t know how to process this.” Sharpe reportedly responded by asking if he could “call you later?” It remains unclear whether the two discussed the situation further in a phone call.

The accuser claims that Sharpe’s actions in the incidents, which occurred in October 2024 and January 2025, were not consensual, and she has filed a $50 million lawsuit against him. The lawsuit alleges that Sharpe threatened her multiple times, engaged in abusive behavior, and committed sexual assault, battery, and emotional distress throughout their tumultuous relationship. Sharpe’s attorney, however, has suggested that the relationship was consensual and involved sexual role-playing.

Shannon Sharpe Denies the Allegations

In response to the lawsuit, Sharpe has strongly denied all accusations, calling the suit a “shakedown.” Sharpe’s legal team has also claimed that the plaintiff has a history of participating in BDSM role-playing and OnlyFans content, which they argue undermines her allegations.

Sharpe’s accuser, represented by Tony Buzbee, has vowed to pursue justice through the legal system. Buzbee issued a statement reaffirming his commitment to presenting evidence in court, saying, “I look forward to presenting the evidence in this case through the judicial process, where the truth matters more than a sports icon’s desperate public spin.”

Sharpe’s Public Response and Legal Strategy

Sharpe has made it clear that he intends to fight the allegations in court. His legal team has already filed motions and released private text exchanges to push back against the accusations. Despite the public drama surrounding the case, ESPN has declined to comment on the ongoing matter.