Shannon Sharpe announced Thursday (April 24) he's temporarily stepping away from ESPN amid a high-profile lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault. The NFL Hall of Famer continues to maintain his innocence in the $50 million civil case that has sent shockwaves through sports media.

"My statement is found here and this is the truth. The relationship in question was 100% consensual," Sharpe wrote in an Instagram post on April 24. "At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties."

Sharpe, who joined ESPN's "First Take" after his departure from FS1's "Undisputed" in 2023, emphasized his focus will shift to family matters and fighting the allegations he's called "false and disruptive."

ESPN quickly supported Sharpe's decision, releasing a statement saying: "This is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon's decision to step away."

The temporary exit comes just days after Sharpe responded publicly to allegations from a woman who filed a lawsuit Sunday in Nevada state court. The complaint alleges that Sharpe raped her multiple times during what was described as a "rocky consensual relationship" of nearly two years. Court documents state the woman met Sharpe at a Los Angeles gym in 2023 when she was 20 years old.

Sharpe's legal team has been vocal in denying all accusations, with attorney Lanny J. Davis calling the lawsuit a "blatant and cynical attempt to shake down" his client for millions. Davis also revealed they were on the verge of reaching a settlement of at least $10 million before the woman decided to withdraw.

Despite the controversy, Sharpe made it clear this isn't a permanent departure: "I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason."

The 56-year-old former Denver Broncos tight end has built a successful post-playing career as a media personality, most recently launching his popular "Club Shay Shay" podcast, which has featured high-profile interviews with entertainers and athletes alike.

For now, "First Take" continues with Stephen A. Smith, who recently broke his silence on the matter, calling it a "sad situation" and that he’s “sincerely hopeful that [Sharpe] is completely innocent of the allegations levied against him."

The NFL preseason is scheduled to begin on July 31 with the Hall of Fame Game between Detroit and Los Angeles, which would mark Sharpe's stated target return date to ESPN programming.