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Shannon Sharpe vows to sue rape accuser for defamation, claims Tony Buzbee ‘targets Black men’ including Jay-Z

NFL star Shannon Sharpe has accused lawyer Tony Buzbee of “orchestrating” the $50 million sexual assault lawsuit against him

Updated on: Apr 23, 2025, 01:04:27 IST
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Shannon Sharpe broke his silence on the $50 million sexual assault lawsuit against him in an Instagram Live on Tuesday. The NFL legend vowed to sue his rape accuser and her lawyer Tony Buzbee for defamation. In his scathing statement, the 56-year-old alleged that the Houston-based attorney “targets Black men.”

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 05: Former NFL player Shannon Sharpe is seen on the set of The NFL Network along Radio Row on February 05, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.   Sean Gardner/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Sean Gardner / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) (Getty Images via AFP)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 05: Former NFL player Shannon Sharpe is seen on the set of The NFL Network along Radio Row on February 05, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Sean Gardner/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Sean Gardner / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) (Getty Images via AFP)

NFL star Shannon Sharpe breaks silence on $50 million rape lawsuit

Sharpe warned his supporters that Buzbee, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of a plaintiff in Nevada on Sunday, would soon release a 30-second sex tape to make him look guilty. “To my family, friends, supporters, and colleagues, I want to speak to you directly and from the heart, this is a shakedown,” the former football tight end said.

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“I'm going to be open, transparent, and defend myself because this isn't right. This is all being orchestrated by Tony Buzbee, who has targeted Jay-Z,” Sharpe went on, referencing the 55-year-old rapper's lawsuit accusing Buzbee of defamation and extortion.

In March, the Empire State of Mind hitmaker sued his former rape accuser and her lawyer, Buzbee, claiming that the allegations against him were fabricated. In his video statement, Sharpe further said that he believes the attorney is “going to release a 30-second clip of a sex tape that tries to make me look guilty and play into every stereotype you can possibly imagine.”

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Sharpe went on to say, “You know what happened and you're trying to manipulate the media,” while directly addressing Buzee. “My career is all about real talk and honesty. I know my family and fans know exactly what this is about, and I'm going to be out there telling you whatever I need to say, just like I always do,” he added.

  • Arya Vaishnavi
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Arya Vaishnavi

    Arya Vaishnavi is a journalist at Hindustan Times. She covers a wide array of topics, from world news to the entertainment industry and everything in between. In addition to news articles, she creates captivating photo galleries. Having covered both US and Indian elections, she is an experienced political news writer. Outside of work, you are most likely to find her meditating, lifting weights, or reading books.Read More

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