Former NFL Player Shannon Sharpe Sued for Rape and Threats

A civil lawsuit has been filed against former NFL player Shannon Sharpe by a young woman alleging rape and threats during a relationship. The lawsuit seeks $50 million in damages. The woman is identified in court documents as Jane Doe.

The lawsuit, filed in Clark County, Nevada, also accuses Sharpe of using physical force and causing emotional distress. According to court documents, the woman first encountered Sharpe at a Los Angeles gym in 2023, when she was 20 years old. Their relationship spanned nearly two years. The lawsuit alleges that Sharpe raped the woman in October 2024 and again in January.

In response, Sharpe's lawyer released a statement on X, asserting the relationship was consensual and characterizing the lawsuit as an attempt to extort money. The statement described the allegations as containing lies and misrepresentations.

The complaint further alleges that Sharpe became increasingly verbally abusive, controlling, and violent over time. It claims he threatened to kill the woman and recorded their sexual encounters without her consent. The lawsuit states that Sharpe would become enraged when the woman confronted him about infidelity or other activities. It also alleges that Sharpe gained unauthorized access to her apartment complex.

Shannon Sharpe had a distinguished NFL career, playing for 14 seasons from 1990 to 2003. He was a four-time All-Pro tight end and played on two Super Bowl-winning teams with Denver and one with Baltimore. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

During his playing career, Sharpe held the NFL records for tight ends in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. These records have since been surpassed. Since retiring, Sharpe has been a prominent figure in television and social media. He departed from FS1's sports debate show "Undisputed" in 2023 and subsequently joined ESPN.