NFL legend and podcast host Shannon Sharpe. Picture: X
SHANNON Sharpe, 56, the National Football League (NFL) legend and podcast host known for his candid interviews and memorable moments, recently found himself in an unexpected spotlight.
Famous for everything from his engaging interviews with celebrities like Katt Williams to his illustrious football career, Sharpe's latest headline involves an unintended Instagram Live incident.
The drama unfolded when a explicit Instagram Live video featuring a woman moaning and an anonymous voice mentioning Sharpe’s name surfaced online.
Despite the video’s anonymity, it sparked quite a buzz across social media.
Initially, Sharpe blamed hackers for the mishap, writing, “Beware, my Instagram was hacked this morning. My team and I are vigorously working to figure this out”.
However, the truth turned out to be more straightforward (and, let’s face it, a bit more awkward). Sharpe later admitted that the footage was not the result of a hack but an accidental recording.
In an emergency episode of his “Nightcap” podcast, he clarified the situation, much to his own embarrassment.
“I am embarrassed,” Sharpe confessed. “Someone who is extremely private, to have one of your most intimate details broadcast to the entire world? It’s mortifying for several reasons. I’m not disappointed in the act itself but in having such a private moment shared.”
Sharpe went on to explain how the incident occurred. “I threw my phone on the bed before getting into the action. I’ve never used IG Live, so I wasn’t aware of how it worked. Suddenly, my other phone started going off,” he said.
In the wake of the incident, Sharpe’s team tried to manage the situation, but the media personality decided honesty was the best policy.
“I always strive to be professional, even behind closed doors,” Sharpe said. “Millions of people engage in similar activities, but having the audio heard by the public was a letdown for me. I’ve let a lot of people down.”
Shannon Sharpe confirms he was not hacked 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/4ZNDobCVdA
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) September 12, 2024
X users weighed in, @Officialxzavia commented: “first of all he did it on purpose. how do you unlock your phone, get on the app, swipe over to camera, and then slide it to select live??? That’s too many steps for it to be an accident I’m sorry 😭.”
first of all he did it on purpose. how do you unlock your phone, get on the app, swipe over to camera, and then slide it to select live??? That’s too many steps for it to be an accident I’m sorry 😭
— X ♡ (@Officialxzavia) September 12, 2024
@LawsNation commented: “As a content creator I’m about 99.9% sure the Shannon Sharp audio was staged… It’s way to difficult to go live on Instagram by accident…”
As a content creator I’m about 99.9% sure the Shannon Sharp audio was staged… It’s way to difficult to go live on Instagram by accident…
— Law Nation Sports (@LawsNation) September 12, 2024
While @Lizmej12 questioned: “He said he’s never used IG live but then said he never pressed the live button. Which one is it?”
He said he’s never used IG live but then said he never pressed the live button. Which one is it?
— Liz Mejia | BIP-420 🦥 (@Lizmej12) September 12, 2024
@Nljigakulive also wrote: “😭 I mean sh*t it’s a part of life but the fact it somehow got on IG live is insane. I don’t see how you accidentally start a live. Doesn’t it ask you to confirm?”
😭 I mean shit it’s a part of life but the fact it somehow got on IG live is insane I don’t see how you accidentally start a live doesn’t it ask you to confirm?
— 優木 せつ菜 🇯🇵 | Makeine SZN (@Nljigakulive) September 12, 2024
It looks like Sharpe is brushing off the online chatter with a smile.
Despite the internet's mixed reactions, the NFL star seems unfazed, showing he's ready to live his life carefree. After all, the cat's out of the bag and sometimes you just have to roll with it.