ESPN football analyst Shannon Sharpe will not return to the cable sports network, with the Hall of Fame tight end saying Wednesday he was "at peace" with the ouster.
Sharpe, who played 12 of his 14 seasons for the Denver Broncos, settled a lawsuit this month that accused him of sexual assault, according to the plaintiff’s attorney.
He had stepped aside from ESPN in April after a woman filed the lawsuit in Nevada. The suit accused him of raping the woman twice in Las Vegas in October and once more in January.
A source familiar with the situation told NBC News on Wednesday afternoon that Sharpe would not be returning. Hours later, the former player confirmed his departure to podcast listeners.
"I really enjoyed my time at ESPN. It gave me an opportunity to bring my audience that saw me really just grow," he told the “Nightcap” podcast, which he co-hosts with former wide receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson.
'They did what they felt they needed to do and I’m at peace with that."
Sharpe said he learned of ESPN’s decision to move on from him earlier this week. He wanted the news to be kept quiet until Monday so nothing could distract football fans from this weekend's Hall of Fame induction of his brother Sterling Sharpe.
They’re the first brothers to both enter the hallowed halls of Canton.
“I profusely apologized to him earlier today. He said, ‘Bro, stop apologizing. You don’t have to apologize. I’m your big bro. I’m going to love you regardless. We all make mistakes,’ “ Shannon Sharpe said. “And he says, ‘Bro, I love you. So I’m done with this. You done with it, too. Move on.’ “
Tony Buzbee, the woman’s attorney, said in a statement on July 18 that the civil suit had been settled.
“Both sides acknowledge a long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship,” Buzbee said.
“After protracted and respectful negotiations, I’m pleased to announce that we have reached a mutually agreed upon resolution. All matters have now been addressed satisfactorily, and the matter is closed.”
In a statement after the suit was filed, an attorney for Sharpe said he and the woman had a relationship that was “consensual and sexual in nature.”
The attorney, Lanny Davis, said in April that the suit was “filled with lies, distortions, and misrepresentations” and that it was an “attempt at blackmail.”
After he stepped away, Sharpe vowed to be back on ESPN by the time pro football season started again.
The first exhibition game is set for Thursday, when the Los Angeles Chargers and the Detroit Lions play in the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
The regular season starts Sept. 4, when the Dallas Cowboys pay a visit to the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
