Alright, it’s about time someone spoke up, and since no one else has, here we are. Shannon Sharpe, the legendary tight end inducted into the Hall of Fame, has made quite an impact on the sports media scene in recent years. However, lately, he has been acting out in a way that suggests either Unc Shay Shay or Shannon may require some anger management therapy. Maybe it’s the constant consumption of Cognac as if it were still 1973, or perhaps Shannon has immersed himself so deeply in his character that he forgets where Shannon ends and Shay Shay begins.
“I won’t pursue a falsehood. But I won’t allow you to tarnish my reputation.” – Shannon Sharpe to Mike Epps
Sharpe made a powerful statement there. Or was it Shay Shay? Most likely the latter, considering it was during his “Nightcap” show with Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson. To be fair to Unc, he was responding to Epps, who had previously cracked some jokes about him during a comedy set. Epps also mentioned being approached to appear on the now-infamous couch at “Club Shay Shay.” Ever since Katt Williams’ appearance on Shay Shay’s couch, every comedian of note wants their chance. Recently, he had comedian/actress Monique on the show, and that quickly became a sensation online. Epps might just be trying to regain the same level of attention.
Comedians often blur the line between reality and fiction, sometimes exaggerating or fabricating their stories. Some people probably took it as the intended joke it was. Not to say that Sharpe’s or Shay Shay’s people couldn’t have reached out to Epps. Hmmm, do Shannon and Shay Shay share the same management team? Or are they separate entities within the company?
In this era where everyone insists on being “real,” even though all of this is very much Hollywood, these men are too old to publicly engage in this kind of back-and-forth, talking about showing up and confronting each other. This year, the NBA All-Star weekend will take place in Epps’s hometown of Indianapolis, and they have already hinted at the possibility of running into each other there.
Hopefully, we won’t witness another incident like the one at the Lakers game involving Sharpe. The game where he wanted to fight Dillon Brooks and the entire Memphis Grizzlies team. Once again, was it Shay Shay sitting courtside or Shannon? Or does he transform into the other persona mid-rant? Someone really needs to explain how this alter ego dynamic works.
None of this was truly necessary, and it disrupted the game. Sharpe is understandably a passionate individual, and that’s what made him an exceptional football player and contributed to his success on television and social media. However, one would have thought that breaking free from Skip Bayless would have brought him much greater happiness, regardless of what’s happening elsewhere.
Sharpe is exceptional at what he does and has built a thriving brand that continues to expand. Epps is a comedian, he tells jokes, and sometimes he playfully mocks other celebrities. If he lied, then we can understand why Shay Shay would be upset, but let’s not blow things out of proportion. Hopefully, these two will be sensible enough to sit down and have a conversation during All-Star weekend, amidst all the fun and festivities.
Sometimes, you just have to let things go. But if Sharpe can’t, then it’s time for him to seek the guidance of a professional and have a heart-to-heart discussion.
According to the Source deadspin.com