Shannon Sharpe Breaks Silence After Accidentally Live-Streaming Sex On Instagram Live: ‘I’m Embarrassed’
ESPN’s Shannon Sharpe confirmed Wednesday night that a viral clip from social media was him having sex on Instagram Live.
Earlier that day, Sharpe began streaming live on the platform. Although the 56-year-old wasn’t visible and his phone seemed to be facing a wall, Sharpe’s voice — as well as woman’s — could be heard. Based on the noises they were making, it was clear the two were engaged in some kind of sexual activity. After several minutes, the stream suddenly ended.
Sharpe later posted a message on his Instagram story claiming his account had been “hacked” and he was working to resolve the situation.
Then, during an emergency episode of his podcast Nightcap with ex-NFL player Chad Johnson, Sharpe revealed that the “hacked” excuse was simply a cover-up.
“Obviously, I’m embarrassed,” Sharpe said. “[I’m] someone that is extremely, extremely private; and to have one of your most intimate details be audio heard for the entire world to hear, I’m embarrassed for a number of reasons. People count on Shannon — Shay Shay Media, Club Shay Shay, Nightcap, ESPN. There are a lot of people that count on Shannon to be professional at all times; and I always try to be professional at all times, even when I’m behind closed doors. I still try to remain a level of professional, although I’m in the privacy of my own home.
“I’m very disappointed in myself — not for the act. I think there are millions and billions of people of consenting age that engage in activities; but to have your most intimate detail on the audio to be heard, I’m disappointed in myself. I let a lot of people down.”
Sharpe said he “threw my phone on the bed” and “engaged in an activity.” He was unaware that he streaming, but noticed on his other phone that received a number of calls from people who don’t normally contact him. When his marketing partner finally got through to him, he informed Shannon that he was on Instagram Live and it sounded like he was having sex.
“Man, my heart sank,” Sharpe said. “It dropped.”
After realizing what happened, he reached out to his family, friends, and ESPN to let everyone in his circle know what happened.
Throughout much of Wednesday’s show, Sharpe and Johnson made light of the situation and joked about it. Sharpe even revealed that comedian Katt Williams called him minutes before they went live and offered him a simple message.
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