Shannon Sharpe is undoubtedly one of the best tight ends in the history of American football. But unlike many others, the 57-year-old never seems to be out of the news, even now – partly due to his role as a pundit and outspoken tendencies. This time, he’s not the news for bringing up an unsavory season in his past – and one person who stood by him through it all.
Fans React to On-screen Bromance Between Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A Smith
The 3-time Super Bowl champion and Denver Broncos Ring of Famer was recently on a talk show alongside Stephen A. Smith, where things soon got personal, especially about Sharpe’s story and the lowest moments of his life. Sharpe has definitely had many low moments in his life, but chances are he was referring to a string of events that eventually cost him his role at ESPN.
During the first half of 2025, Sharpe was embroiled in a sexual assault lawsuit, among other things, by a 20-year-old model. Both had been in a private relationship, best described as tumultuous for about two years, which seemingly descended into an irreversible chaos that exploded into the public domain.
While Shannon Sharpe denied all allegations against him by the model, he reportedly paid her north of $29 million to keep private information secret. Shortly after the allegations, ESPN parted ways with Sharpe, as much of the football community rolled their eyes at the legendary footballer’s claims of innocence.
However, during the lowest point of his life, “when a lot of people ran away,” as Sharpe himself puts it, Stephen A. Smith was right by his side.
Dov Kleiman shares a snippet of the interaction on his X handle with the caption,
Heartwarming: Shannon Sharpe tells Stephen A Smith that when people ran away from him during his lowest point, Smith ran to him to support.
"I appreciate the support. When a lot of people ran away, you ran to me."
Smith is a true friend 🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/c2YJcCyKZ3
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 6, 2026
“Heartwarming: Shannon Sharpe tells Stephen A Smith that when people ran away from him during his lowest point, Smith ran to him to support.
“I appreciate the support. When a lot of people ran away, you ran to me.”
Smith is a true friend 🥹❤️”
For many of the fans, however, doubts still cast over the said allegations.
One fan wrote“Sharpe goes down as a clown,” sharply rebuking him over his previous spat with the model.
Another wrote, “Man this hit different. Real friends don’t just show up when you’re winning they sprint toward you in the storm. Shannon & Stephen A showing what loyalty looks like. We all need a ‘ran to me’ person 😭”
TeeDaGamer added,
“What you mean lowest point, date women your age and you wouldn’t have had that happen,” apparently referring to the same incident.
Finally, Ungioffical wrote, “That line really says everything. It is easy to be around people when things are good, but showing up when someone is at their lowest is what actually defines friendship. Respect to Stephen A for being there when it mattered, and respect to Shannon for saying it publicly. Moments like that remind you there is real humanity behind all the media noise.”
Sharpe definitely would wish to rewrite his story with more beautiful news, including possibly regaining his role with the ESPN.
