A civil lawsuit seeking $50 million in damages has been filed against retired NFL player Shannon Sharpe by a young woman who alleges she was raped and threatened during a tumultuous relationship. The lawsuit, filed in Clark County, Nevada, accuses Sharpe of using physical force and causing emotional distress to the woman, identified as Jane Doe in court documents.
The relationship between the woman and Sharpe began in 2023 when they met at a gym in Los Angeles. The lawsuit claims that Sharpe, 56, raped the woman in October 2024 and again in January. Sharpe’s lawyer, Lanny J. Davis, released a statement calling the allegations false and stating that the relationship was consensual.
The lawsuit further alleges that Sharpe became verbally abusive, controlling, and violent over time, even recording their sexual encounters without consent. He is also accused of threatening to kill the woman and gaining unauthorized access to her apartment complex.
Sharpe, a former tight end who played for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns among tight ends. Despite the records being broken since his retirement, Sharpe remains a prominent figure on television and social media.
To receive more Broncos news and NFL analysis, readers can sign up for the Broncos Insider. The article was originally published on April 21, 2025, at 6:26 PM MDT.
