Shannon Sharpe is speaking out following news that he has officially parted ways with ESPN. The announcement, which surfaced on Wednesday (July 30), came just days before a major milestone for his family—his brother’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Sharpe revealed he had requested ESPN hold off on the announcement until after the weekend.
“I found out a little earlier in the week,” he said. “The only thing I really asked was, ‘Guys, could we wait until Monday?’ My brother’s going into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I really wanted it to be about him and about my family. I said, ‘This coming out will overshadow everything he’s worked his entire life for.’ And unfortunately, it didn’t happen that way.”
The former NFL star and sports commentator added that he personally apologized to his brother for the distraction.
“I hate that I’m overshadowing my brother,” Sharpe said. “First two brothers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame—and this is what the headline is going to be for the next couple of days.”
Despite the disappointment around the timing, Sharpe expressed gratitude toward ESPN.
“I really enjoyed my time there. They gave me an opportunity to bring my audience along and to grow,” he shared. “They did what they felt they needed to do, and I’m at peace with that.”
He ended his remarks by once again apologizing to his brother and reiterating his hope that the spotlight soon returns to where he believes it belongs: his family.
Source: YouTube
