Shannon Sharpe’s career didn’t end when he retired from the NFL.
In fact, it skyrocketed, with the Hall of Famer rising to even greater fame as a TV personality and podcaster.
But Baltimore Ravens legend Ray Lewis has hit out at his former teammate about his media persona.
This comes 24 years after Sharpe gave a two-minute-long impassioned speech about his linebacker ahead of Super Bowl XXXV following Lewis pleading guilty to obstruction of justice after being present at a double murder outside an Atlanta nightclub in 2000.
What did Lewis say about Sharpe?
In an appearance on the PBD Podcast, the two-time Super Bowl champion hit out at Sharpe – who was relieved of his duties at ESPN just days before his brother Sterling was inducted into the Hall of Fame – about how shocked he is about the type of content he releases.
“I’m not surprised, but I am shocked at his content,” Lewis said. “I wouldn’t in a million years, the things that Shannon has said now or did now, I would never believe that Shannon will say or do anything like that. I’ve never saw Shannon with a drink ever. Like it was against the law.
“Because he had some stuff in his family that he didn’t want to follow that. And I kind of started to watch him and then we kind of went our own separate ways because I’m like, you’re going to take that route. I can’t go that route.”
The ‘route’ Lewis appears to be referencing is Sharpe really buying into the idea of talk show culture that is very heavily gossip-based and can, at times, be highly controversial.
“That route is, is to become so worldly that you become popular because you’re talking about ignorance,” the 50-year-old added. “A lot of times, a lot of these gossip conversations that they having and bringing up all this stuff. I’m not going to do that to nobody.
“I’m in life to try to teach people what does it mean to be a better man or get back to the kingdom. And a lot of the guys get in trouble with these podcasts and things, man, because everybody wants to follower. Everybody wants to be popular.
“Everybody wants to make money, but that’s a tight rope into what you call influence and popularity. And the devil has the ability to make you popular… I think men given these new platforms, we’ve overrode what the platform is actually for.
“The platform is supposed to help somebody find a new direction…Everybody got a podcast…Everybody’s the new marriage and relationship coach and ain’t nobody coaching themselves.
“Because when you, if you were coaching yourself, when it says ‘power of life and death is found in the tongue’, then go back and check out a couple of episodes and ask yourself, do you give life or do you give death? And that’s why me personally, I kind of do my own thing. Stand my own lane.”
Sharpe’s contentious summer
Earlier this summer, Sharpe was involved in a lawsuit worth $50 million after a woman alleged that she was the victim of sexual assault, harassment, and battery — allegations which he vehemently denies.
In light of his ESPN firing, Sharpe is now solely found on the Nightcap podcast, which he co-hosts with former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver and legend, Chad ‘Ochocino’ Johnson. He also runs his brand, including his cognac label ‘Le Portier’.
Meanwhile, ex-NFL quarterback Cam Newton – an outspoken character himself – has been announced as Sharpe’s replacement on ESPN’s First Take, alongside $100 million man Stephen A. Smith, Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo, and host Molly Qerim, which has drawn mixed opinions from fans.
Lewis, on the other hand, who played 17 seasons in the NFL, all with the Ravens, during which he had 31 interceptions (three returned for touchdowns), 2,059 tackles (1,568 solo), 99 tackles for loss, 40 quarterback hits, and a safety, moved into a media role himself, having featured as an analyst for Inside the NFL on Showtime and Fox Sports.
He is also a businessman, philanthropist and motivational speaker and is a New York Times bestselling author for his memoir I Feel Like Going On.
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