Shannon Sharpe’s attorney Lanny J. Davis issued a response to the lawsuit accusing his client of sexual assault and battery.
Released on Sharpe’s X and Instagram accounts, the statement includes sexually explicit texts that the NFL Hall of Famer and media personality allegedly received from his accuser. Davis accuses lawyer Tony Buzbee of orchestrating a “blatant and cynical attempt to shake down Mr. Sharpe for millions of dollars."
The woman is seeking $50 million in damages.
Davis explained that the alleged texts were shared to “clearly indicate the nature of their relationship was consensual and graphic in nature — and, in many cases, initiated by her with specific and graphic requests.”
What Is Shannon Sharpe being accused of?
In a statement posted on Facebook, Buzbee claimed his client was “brutally sexually assaulted” by Sharpe on multiple occasions, alleging he repeatedly threatened to slap and choke her.
“I want you to put a dog collar around my neck and choke me with it while you’re fucking me,” the woman allegedly wrote in a text to Sharpe on Oct. 7, 2023.
“Only if you put that baby gravy in me, then I can do whatever I want to me,” reads another alleged text to Sharpe on Nov. 23, 2023.
“You better crave it cuz ur gonna be stuck with it 4 life after you put a big black baby in me," she allegedly sent on Aug. 11, 2024.
How has Shannon Sharpe responded to the accusations?
Davis claimed Sharpe was shown a secretly recorded video of a sexual encounter involving his accuser. “We believe the video has been heavily edited and taken entirely out of context, crafted to falsely portray a consensual act as non-consensual,” the statement reads.
Davis argued that the evidence provided in the statement shows his client was involved in a “consensual, adult relationship that included role-playing, sexual language, and fantasy scenarios explicitly requested” by his accuser.
“Mr. Sharpe categorically denies all allegations of coercion or misconduct — especially the gross lie of “rape” — and will not submit to what he sees as an egregious attempt at blackmail,” the statement from Davis reads. “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 judgement based on the facts and the law."
Last year, Sharpe made headlines when he mistakenly broadcast himself having sex with a woman on his Instagram Live. However, that woman is not the same one accusing him in this case.
Who Is Tony Buzbee?
Meanwhile, Buzbee was accused of defamation earlier this year by Jay-Z's legal team. In December, Jay argued that the lawyer’s involvement with a since-dismissed civil case amounted to “a blackmail attempt.”