Connect with us

Sports

Stephen A. Smith breaks silence on co-host Shannon Sharpe's sexual assault allegations: 'Sad situation'

Published

on

Stephen A. Smith breaks silence on co-host Shannon Sharpe's sexual assault allegations: 'Sad situation'

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Shannon Sharpe has found himself in a highly-publicized civil battle after he was accused of sexual assault this week.

The football Hall of Famer turned national television star was accused of assault, sexual assault, battery and sexual battery. He was also accused of engaging “in the intentional infliction of emotional distress,” with his accuser seeking $50 million in damages.

The situation has already gotten extremely ugly, with Sharpe calling the allegations a “shakedown” while he and his legal team released sexually explicit messages the woman had allegedly sent him over time. The woman is being represented by Tony Buzbee, who represented two dozen of the women who accused Deshaun Watson of sexual assault – all but one of those cases came to a settlement.

Buzbee also represented the woman who accused Jay-Z and Diddy of assault when she was just 13 – the charges were dropped, and Jay-Z is now suing the woman and Buzbee.

Advertisement

The hosts of ESPN First Take, Molly Qerim, Stephen A. Smith, Shannon Sharpe and Cam Newton, at the CFP Fan Central at the George World Congress Center.  (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Sharpe is now a guest host on ESPN’s “First Take,” and the mainstay in Stephen A. Smith broke the silence about the “sad situation” his “friend” is now in.

“We’ve grown close as friends. I certainly root for him. I know he’s been through a lot in life, he’s overcome a lot of things, and when he departed from FOX, I was more than happy to bring him on board here. So all I can speak to about is what I know based on the reports, and I can speak about ESPN and Disney,” Smith said on his own podcast, adding that ESPN was “aware” he would speak about Sharpe.

Smith said he also spoke with Sharpe, who “emphatically proclaims his innocence.” Smith is “hopeful and prayerful that he’s completely innocent,” but stopped short of saying so himself, and also criticized Sharpe’s response to the allegations.

Advertisement

“On one hand, going on the offensive to defend himself, I completely understand where Shannon Sharpe is coming from. On the other hand, when his legal team issued out the press release on X yesterday, they mentioned her name and revealed some of those explicit text messages, that was uncomfortable, and I don’t know if that’s a strategy that would work,” Smith said. “One of the hardest things in the world for all of us to do is to just lay low and be quiet and let our legal team do it. And we don’t always know if that’s the right thing to do. 

Shannon Sharpe in Atlanta

Shannon Sharpe speaks onstage during the 2024 RenderATL Tech Conference at AmericasMart Atlanta on June 14, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

ASHTON JEANTY DISCUSSES HIS MILITARY FAMILY BACKGROUND, LIKENS IT TO NFL DRAFT PROCESS

“I know, and I can tell you all I spoke to Shannon, not in details, but I spoke to him, and he emphatically proclaims his innocence. According to Mr. Buzbee, his client emphatically proclaims his guilt. So where does that leave us? I’d love to tell you I know the answer to that question, but I don’t.

Smith added that he does not know what the end result will be in terms of Sharpe’s employment at ESPN or on “First Take,” but Smith said after speaking with ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, Pitaro “made it very very clear we are taking this matter very seriously, and we are looking into this very, very closely. And once we gather as many facts as we possibly can, we will go from there.”

“In my perfect world, this equates to Jay-Z where the case ultimately dropped, and Shannon is allowed to continue on “First Take” and thrive and shine and have an illustrious career in the podcast stratosphere… In my perfect world, he moves on. And somehow, someway, we find this all to be false. But it doesn’t seem like that’s the way things are about to go down considering who Mr. Buzbee is and how emphatic his client is proclaiming that she is right and she’s telling the truth. I don’t know where this is going to go. I can’t speak to anything else,” Smith continued.

Advertisement

“I hope all of this is a sad ordeal that goes away because there was no truth to it, but I don’t know. Neither do you or the rest of us. Only time will tell what the truth is.”

Sharpe’s attorney, Lanny J. Davis, said the releasing of the explicit messages between the plaintiff and Sharpe “clearly indicate the nature of their relationship was consensual and sexual in nature in many cases, initiated by her with specific and graphic requests.” 

The complaint accused Sharpe of “manipulating and controlling Plaintiff” and making threats of violence against her. 

Shannon Sharpe at Lakers game

Feb 7, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Former NFL player Shannon Sharpe attends the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena.   (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

“A woman can say ‘yes’ to consensual sexual relations with a man ninety-nine times, but when she says ‘no’ even once, that ‘no’ means no,” the complaint read, via ProFootballTalk’s reporting. “Defendant Shannon Sharpe, a man who is accustomed to getting what he wants, completely fails to understand this basic concept. After many months of manipulating and controlling Plaintiff—a woman more than thirty years younger than he—and repeatedly threatening to brutally choke and violently slap her, Sharpe refused to accept the answer no and raped Plaintiff, despite her sobbing and repeated screams of ‘no.’”

Advertisement

Sharpe said Buzbee, who “targets Black men,” is “also going to release a 30-second clip of a sex tape that tries to make me look guilty and play into every stereotype you could possibly imagine.” Buzbee confirmed that “an incredible damning video does indeed exist” that “speak[s] volumes about Mr. Sharpe and his behavior.”

Sharpe’s attorneys admitted that the former tight end previously offered the woman a settlement of around $10 million, but she declined.

Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Advertisement

Sports

Jordan Mailata, other Eagles stars downplay tush push as NFL vote on team's signature play looms

Published

on

Jordan Mailata, other Eagles stars downplay tush push as NFL vote on team's signature play looms

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

The NFL owners are expected to reengage in talks about the polarizing tush push on Wednesday at league meetings.

Advertisement

Last month, owners tabled the vote on a proposal to ban the play that became the Philadelphia Eagles’ calling card over the past couple of seasons. As the vote nears, some prominent Philadelphia Eagles spoke out about the controversial short yardage play.

Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata (68) celebrates during the Super Bowl LIX championship parade and rally. (Caean Couto-Imagn Images)

“I don’t have any thoughts on it,” Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown said. “It’s only one yard.” 

Offensive lineman Jordan Mailata echoed similar sentiments, saying: “They’re ruling [on] the push? I guess we’ll just do it with no push.

Advertisement

“In terms of them banning the tush push, I hate that name, so I hope they do ban it — it’s a stupid name,” the All-Pro tackle joked.

COMMANDERS’ FRANKIE LUVU CHIMES IN ON ‘CHEAPO’ PUSH AS NFL TEAM OWNERS WEIGH BAN

“But I can’t control it. We can’t control it. So, we don’t even worry about it. Right now, we’re just installing our schemes, whatever [offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo] is installing that day, that’s what we’re focused on because worrying about if they’re going to ban the tush push or not ain’t going to win us a championship.”

Jalen Hurts tush push

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) lines up for the tush push play on the goal line against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

.The Green Bay Packers submitted a proposal to ban the tush push.  

“We’ll see where that goes,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “We’re not waiting very long to figure it out. It’s going to be public [Wednesday]. And you know how I feel about it.”

Advertisement
Tush push versus 49ers

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scores on the tush push during a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 3, 2023.  (Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

At last month’s league meetings, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie described the tush push as “precision play” and credited quarterback Jalen Hurts for helping make the play routinely successful. 

ESPN reported that the tush push was utilized in just 0.28% of total plays last season.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Sports

Prep baseball roundup: Seth Hernandez hits two three-run home runs for No. 1 Corona

Published

on

Prep baseball roundup: Seth Hernandez hits two three-run home runs for No. 1 Corona

Leave it up to Seth Hernandez of top-seeded Corona High to find a way to impress the many pro baseball scouts attending Tuesday’s Southern Section Division 1 playoff opener with not just his arm but his bat.

He hit two three-run home runs to help Corona defeat Los Osos 11-2. Corona trailed 2-0 into the third inning until the Panthers started going deep. First was a home run by Jesiah Andrade. Then Hernandez started sending balls over the fence. He also struck out 10 and walked one in six innings.

Seth Hernandez of Corona celebrates his second three-run home run.

(Nick Koza)

Advertisement

Corona advances to play Big VIII rival Norco in Friday’s quarterfinals.

Norco 4, Laguna Beach 2: Dylan Seward had three hits and four RBIs while Landon Hovermale threw a complete game.

Crespi 5, El Dorado 2: The Celts rallied for four runs in the sixth inning. Diego Velazquez had a two-run double. Jackson Eisenhauer threw a complete game, striking out seven. Crespi will play Mira Costa in the quarterfinals.

Mira Costa 5, Arcadia 4: An RBI double by Joaquin Scholer in the fifth inning broke a 4-4 tie. He finished with two doubles.

Los Alamitos 8, Orange Lutheran 0: Tyler Smith drove in four runs and three pitchers combined on a five-hit shutout to eliminate the Lancers. Los Alamitos will play Santa Margarita on Friday.

Advertisement

Santa Margarita 6, Huntington Beach 5: Chase Marlow singled in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning to give the Eagles an upset over Sunset League champion Huntington Beach. Brennan Bauer struck out four in 4 1/3 innings of relief.

Villa Park 8, Aquinas 2: Jake Nobles struck out five with no walks over five innings and Val Lopez had three hits and two RBIs. Villa Park will play St. John Bosco on Friday.

St. John Bosco 5, Vista Murrieta 4: Noah Everly had three hits and two RBIs while Miles Clark homered for the Braves, who rallied with a three-run sixth inning.

West Ranch 12, Crean Lutheran 0: Mikey Murr and Matt Castellon combined on a no-hitter in Division 2.

Sultana 6, Loyola 5: The Cubs dropped the Division 2 game on an error in the ninth inning.

Advertisement

Servite 12, Anaheim Canyon 1: Tomas Cernius hit a three-run home run and Michael Cabral had four RBIs. Servite will play Etiwanda in the Division 2 quarterfinals.

Etiwanda 6, Gahr 1: Angel Mejia finished with four RBIs and Nico Hamilton threw six innings for the Eagles.

Torrance 3, Oaks Christian 2: Mateo Rickman hit a three-run home run to power Torrance, which will face Fountain Valley on Friday.

Fountain Valley 7, Trabuco Hills 0: Josh Grack threw the shutout and also contributed two RBIs.

Foothill 3, San Clemente 2: Ezekiel Vargas and Aidan Colburn each had two hits for Foothill, which plays Mater Dei on Friday.

Advertisement

Mater Dei 6, Simi Valley 4: The Monarchs eliminated second-seeded Simi Valley by scoring six runs in the top of the seventh inning. Brady Guth hit a three-run home run.

Continue Reading

Sports

Maine fishermen support Jordon Hudson after he advocacy during pageant: 'Together, we persevere'

Published

on

Maine fishermen support Jordon Hudson after he advocacy during pageant: 'Together, we persevere'

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

The Maine Coast Fisherman’s Association praised Jordon Hudson for her advocacy during the Miss Maine USA pageant earlier this month.

Support for Maine fishermen appeared to be close to Hudson’s heart. She has championed their cause, not only in the pageant, but also thanked Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and the Trump administration for its renegotiation of the Maine Sea Grant funding.

Jordon Hudson, the girlfriend of Bill Belichick, was in attendance at the Loudermilk Center for Excellence on Dec. 12, 2024. (Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)

Advertisement

“Advocating for Maine’s commercial fisherman takes many forms, and sometimes it walks across a stage in heels wearing a bikini,” the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association wrote on its Instagram Stories on Monday. “Jordon Hudson is helping shine a spotlight on Maine fishing communities in ways we never imagined, from the stage to the working waterfront.

“We’re grateful for voices like Jordon’s that remind us advocacy doesn’t always look the same, but it always matters. Together, we persevere.”

Hudson was asked during the Miss Maine USA pageant a moment in life she would want to go back to. She said she wished she could be transported back to her family’s fishing boat.

JORDON HUDSON ABSENT FROM BILL BELICHICK’S ‘GOOD MORNING AMERICA’ INTERVIEW AFTER CBS FIASCO

Jordon Hudson at Miss Maine USA

Jordon Hudson, center, is among the contestants posing on stage after the Miss Maine USA pageant in Portland, Maine, on Sunday. (Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)

“I think about this often because there’s a mass exodus for fishermen occurring in the rural areas of Maine, and I don’t want to see more fishermen leave this place,” she said, via Mass Live. “As your next Miss Maine USA, I would make a point to go to communities … to go into the government and advocate for these people so that they don’t have to think about these memories as a past moment.”

Advertisement

Hudson’s parents owned a fishing business, Frenchman’s Bay Fisheries, in Maine. However, after the area they used to fish, Taunton Bay, was closed off to fishing by the state in 2000, their business eventually went bankrupt years later.

Her family’s ship reportedly suffered damage and couldn’t afford repairs. The family attempted to lobby the state and local legislatures to ease up on regulations that impeded the fishing industry, and eventually the closure of their business.

Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson

Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson on the red carpet before the Super Bowl LIX NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

The family eventually moved to Massachusetts.

Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

Advertisement

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending