Shannon Sharpe speaks out on his ESPN firing as he claims request to delay announcement was ignored

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Shannon Sharpe speaks out on his ESPN firing as he claims request to delay announcement was ignored

Shannon Sharpe speaks out on his ESPN firing as he claims request to delay announcement was ignored

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Shannon Sharpe has broken his silence after being axed by ESPN in the wake of his settled rape lawsuit - accusing the network of ignoring his request to delay the announcement until next week.

The former NFL tight end-turned TV star was hit with a bombshell $50million lawsuit back in April after a woman, identified as one of his ex-girlfriends, accused him of raping her on two occasions over the course of their relationship.

Sharpe, who denied the allegations, stepped away from his part-time duties with ESPN and vowed to return later in the year once he had proved his innocence.

Yet just weeks after the accuser reached a settlement and retracted the allegations, it was revealed on Wednesday that he has been fired by ESPN.

Sharpe addressed his shock departure later in the evening, saying at the start of his 'Nightcap' podcast: 'Obviously, I'm sure everybody's heard the news by now that I will not be returning to ESPN.

'I found out this information a little earlier in the week, and really the only thing that I really asked is, "Guys, could we wait until Monday? My brother's going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I really want it to be about him and I want it to be about my family."

Shannon Sharpe has broken his silence on his ESPN departure after being axed by the network

Sharpe has been fired by ESPN just weeks after settling a $50million rape lawsuit against him

'I said, "This coming out will overshadow everything he's worked his entire life for." And unfortunately it didn't happen that way.'

Sharpe's younger brother, Sterling, is set to be officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at an enshrinement ceremony in Canton, Ohio next week, 14 years after his older sibling received the same honor.

Sterling, 60, spent all seven years of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers, where he became a five-time Pro Bowl and three-time All-Pro wide receiver while leading the league in receptions in three separate seasons. Shannon is a three-time Super Bowl champion who enjoyed two successful stints with the Denver Broncos and a brief spell with the Baltimore Ravens in his 13-year career.

After stressing that he 'really enjoyed' his time with ESPN and that he was 'very, very grateful for the opportunity', Sharpe stressed that he was disappointed to upstage his brother with the news of his axing.

'They did what they felt they needed to do, and I'm at peace with that,' he added about his now-former employers. 'But I just wish this thing could have waited until Monday, because I hate the fact that I've overshadowed my brother.

'The first two brothers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and this is what the headline's gonna be for the next few days.'

Shannon then sent a message to Sterling after revealing he had told him not to apologize earlier in the day. 'Bro, I know you told me I don't have to apologize, but I'm gonna do it one final time tonight and I won't apologize again,' he added.

'I'm sorry that I upstaged you in this manner. That was never my intent. You've been my hero, you've been my role model from as long as I can remember.

'I apologize and I thank all my fans for supporting me, when I was at ESPN and every place that I've been - be it Club Shay Shay, Nightcap, Undisputed, ESPN. Thank you guys for your support.'

Daily Mail

Daily Mail

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