Pro Football Hall of Famer and sports media personality Shannon Sharpe has spoken out following a controversial incident involving his Instagram account. On Wednesday, September 11, Sharpe’s account went live, broadcasting audio from what seemed to be a private sexual encounter.
Sharpe quickly responded to the situation, writing on his Instagram Story, “Beware, my @ShannonSharpe84 Instagram was hacked this morning. My team and I are working vigorously to figure this out. – UNC.”
The Instagram Live session reportedly featured audio of a woman panting, with a man’s voice, which many noted sounded like Sharpe’s, making explicit comments such as, “Let me put this d**k in you,” and “you know what I like.” The woman was heard referring to the man as “Shannon” during the exchange. The video showed the phone placed face-down, suggesting the audio was the primary focus of the hack.
Sharpe, 56, joined ESPN’s First Take last year after leaving FS1’s Undisputed and currently hosts popular podcasts Club Shay Shay and Nightcap with fellow NFL great Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson.
During his celebrated NFL career, Sharpe won three Super Bowl championships—two with the Denver Broncos and one with the Baltimore Ravens. He was an eight-time Pro Bowler, a four-time first-team All-Pro, and a member of the NFL’s 1990s All-Decade Team, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest tight ends in the sport’s history.