Shannon Sharpe Vows to Countersue After Ex-Girlfriend Accuses Him of Rape in $50M Lawsuit
Football Hall of Famer turned media personality Shannon Sharpe is firmly denying allegations that he raped a woman with whom he had a nearly two-year consensual relationship—calling the claims a “shakedown.”
The 55-year-old former NFL star addressed the multi-million dollar lawsuit directly in a video posted to Instagram on Tuesday (April 22), where he doubled down on his denial and announced plans to sue both his accuser and her attorney, Tony Buzbee, for defamation. “This is a shakedown,” Sharpe said plainly.
According to the lawsuit, filed Sunday night (April 21) in Clark County, Nevada, Sharpe met the woman, identified as Jane Doe, in 2023 at a Los Angeles gym when she was 20 years old. The complaint describes their relationship as “rocky” and accuses Sharpe of exhibiting controlling behavior and having an “uncontrollable temper.”
“Sharpe’s behavior demonstrates that he believed Plaintiff to be his personal property, possessed and owned by him,” the lawsuit states. “He also believed that the laws did not apply to him, that he could take what he wanted, and that no one could or would stop him. He was and is wrong.”
However, Davis argues the pair continued having consensual sex until January 2, citing sexually explicit messages allegedly sent by the accuser.
“The evidence paints a clear picture: this was a consensual adult relationship that included role-playing, sexual language, and fantasy scenarios explicitly requested by [the accuser],” Davis stated.
The following day, Sharpe responded via a statement from his attorney, Lanny J. Davis, categorically denying all allegations of coercion or misconduct, “especially the gross lie of ‘rape.’” “He stands firmly by the truth and is prepared to fight these false claims vigorously in court. He looks forward to vindication through due process and a judgment based on the facts and the law,” the statement continued.
The woman is seeking $50 million in damages.
