SHANNON SHARPE BLASTED FOR DESHAUN WATSON HYPOCRISY

Shannon Sharpe, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and prominent media personality, has built a reputation for his outspoken commentary on sports and social issues. However, recent developments have cast a shadow over his credibility, particularly in light of his past remarks about Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s sexual misconduct allegations. Sharpe’s own legal troubles in 2025, involving accusations of sexual assault, have led to accusations of hypocrisy, given his earlier criticism of Watson. This article explores the timeline of events, Sharpe’s commentary on Watson, and how his own legal battles have fueled perceptions of double standards.

Sharpe’s Stance on Deshaun Watson

In 2022, Deshaun Watson faced 22 civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct and assault during massage sessions. During this period, Sharpe, then a co-host on FS1’s Undisputed, was vocal about the case, emphasizing the need for due process while simultaneously questioning Watson’s character. On a May 2022 episode, Sharpe commented on HBO interviews with Watson’s accusers, stating, “These are some very serious allegations… And this is why we need to let the process play out,” but added skepticism about Watson’s innocence, noting the difficulty of believing Watson’s claims given the number of accusers.

In June 2022, Sharpe doubled down, suggesting Watson’s refusal to apologize was telling. He stated, “He believes he’s done nothing wrong… I believe that in his heart of hearts, he believes he’s done nothing wrong,” implying that Watson’s lack of remorse was problematic. Sharpe’s remarks, particularly his assertion that Watson’s denial was a strategic move to avoid legal repercussions, positioned him as a commentator demanding accountability.

Sharpe’s criticism didn’t stop there. In January 2025, on his podcast Nightcap, Sharpe and co-host Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson reacted to a report in The Athletic about Watson’s negative presence in the Browns’ locker room. Sharpe called for the Browns to part ways with Watson, citing his off-field issues and perceived lack of accountability. These statements painted Sharpe as a moral arbiter, quick to judge Watson’s character and actions.

Sharpe’s Own Legal Troubles

Fast forward to April 2025, and Sharpe found himself in a strikingly similar situation. A woman, identified as “Jane Doe,” filed a $50 million lawsuit in Nevada, accusing Sharpe of sexual assault, battery, and emotional abuse during a nearly two-year relationship that began in 2023. The lawsuit, filed by attorney Tony Buzbee—who also represented several of Watson’s accusers—alleged that Sharpe raped the plaintiff in October 2024 and January 2025, recorded sexual encounters without consent, and exhibited controlling and abusive behavior.

Sharpe vehemently denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit a “shakedown” and accusing Buzbee of targeting Black men. In a video posted on Instagram, he claimed the relationship was “100% consensual” and suggested Buzbee might release a misleadingly edited video clip to defame him. Sharpe’s attorney, Lanny J. Davis, further stated that Sharpe had offered a $10 million settlement to resolve the matter, which the plaintiff rejected.

The lawsuit was settled in July 2025, with Buzbee announcing a “mutually agreed upon resolution” and the case’s dismissal with prejudice, meaning it could not be refiled. No details of the settlement were disclosed, but the resolution allowed Sharpe to avoid a trial. During this period, Sharpe temporarily stepped away from his ESPN duties, citing the need to focus on his family and address the “false and disruptive” allegations.

The Hypocrisy Allegations

The parallels between Sharpe’s case and Watson’s have not gone unnoticed, particularly on platforms like X, where users have called out Sharpe’s apparent hypocrisy. One post from April 2025 highlighted the irony: “In 2022, Shannon Sharpe shit on Deshaun Watson for apologizing over his situation… Now, the SAME LAWYER who put Deshaun thru hell is threatening to make Huckleberry Shay-Shay walk a mile in Deshaun’s shoes. Karma is a cold-blooded bitch.”

Sharpe’s earlier criticism of Watson centered on the quarterback’s refusal to show remorse and his perceived lack of accountability. Yet, when faced with similar allegations, Sharpe adopted a nearly identical defense strategy: denying the accusations, claiming the lawsuit was a money grab, and emphasizing the consensual nature of the relationship. This mirrored Watson’s stance, which Sharpe had previously criticized as insufficient. The involvement of Tony Buzbee in both cases further underscored the similarities, amplifying perceptions that Sharpe was quick to judge Watson while pleading for leniency in his own case.

Moreover, Sharpe’s comments about Watson’s character and the need for due process appear inconsistent with his reaction to his own accuser. While Sharpe advocated for letting the legal process play out in Watson’s case, he was quick to label his own accuser’s claims as “false” and “disruptive” before the case reached trial. This discrepancy has led some to question whether Sharpe’s moral outrage was selective, applied to others but not himself.

Public and Media Reaction

The public response on X and in media coverage has been mixed. Some fans and commentators have defended Sharpe, arguing that his case was settled and that allegations alone do not equate to guilt. Others, however, have pointed to his past statements on Watson as evidence of a double standard. The fact that Sharpe settled his lawsuit, much like Watson settled most of his, has fueled speculation that Sharpe’s criticisms of Watson were hypocritical, especially given his own willingness to resolve his case out of court.

Media outlets have also drawn comparisons. Articles from The New York Times, ESPN, and Yahoo Sports noted Buzbee’s involvement in both cases, highlighting the attorney’s track record with high-profile sexual misconduct lawsuits. Some reports, like one from Yahoo Sports, suggested that Sharpe’s decision to step away from ESPN was influenced by additional allegations of a prior incident at FS1, where he reportedly settled a case involving a female production assistant for “several hundred thousand dollars.” These reports have added to the narrative that Sharpe’s public persona as a principled commentator may not align with his personal conduct.

Analysis: A Pattern of Contradictions?

Sharpe’s case raises broader questions about accountability and consistency in public discourse. As a media figure with a platform on ESPN’s First Take and his podcast Club Shay Shay, Sharpe has often positioned himself as a voice of reason, critiquing athletes for their off-field behavior. His comments on Watson suggested a belief that public figures should take responsibility for their actions, yet his response to his own allegations—denial, deflection, and a settlement—mirrors the behavior he once condemned.

The settlement of Sharpe’s lawsuit, while legally resolving the matter, does little to quell the perception of hypocrisy. Watson’s settlements with his accusers were similarly criticized by Sharpe and others as an attempt to avoid accountability, yet Sharpe’s own settlement has been framed by his legal team as a pragmatic resolution. This parallel has led to accusations that Sharpe’s moral high ground was more about boosting his media persona than reflecting a consistent ethical stance.

Conclusion

Shannon Sharpe’s outspoken criticism of Deshaun Watson’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations has come under scrutiny following his own legal battle in 2025. The similarities between the two cases—both involving Tony Buzbee, allegations of sexual assault, and out-of-court settlements—have exposed Sharpe to accusations of hypocrisy. While Sharpe maintained his innocence and resolved his case, his earlier remarks about Watson’s lack of remorse and accountability have left him vulnerable to criticism. As a public figure, Sharpe’s experience underscores the challenges of maintaining credibility when personal actions appear to contradict public statements. Whether this will have a lasting impact on his career remains to be seen, but the court of public opinion is unlikely to forget the irony anytime soon.