Shannon Sharpe has addressed the controversy surrounding his recent Instagram Live post, in which he accidentally broadcasted explicit audio of himself and a woman to his 3.2 million followers.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer and ESPN analyst revealed that his Instagram account was not hacked, but rather that he mistakenly streamed the intimate moment due to his unfamiliarity with the platform’s live feature.
“I’m deeply embarrassed,” Sharpe said during an emergency episode of “Nightcap.” “As someone who values privacy and professionalism, having such a private moment exposed for the world to hear is deeply unsettling. I’m disappointed in myself for allowing the audio to be heard by so many.”
The incident occurred Wednesday afternoon when Sharpe’s Instagram Live feed unintentionally captured and broadcasted his encounter with an unnamed woman, which quickly gained attention on social media.
Initially, Sharpe suggested his account might have been hacked in a now-deleted post on X. However, he later admitted that the mishap stemmed from his lack of knowledge about Instagram Live. “I threw my phone on the bed and engaged in an activity,” Sharpe explained. “I didn’t realize Instagram Live was active, and my other phone started buzzing with notifications.”
Sharpe’s marketing partner, Jamie Fritz, was the first to alert him to the issue, and another individual eventually ended the live stream. “It wasn’t a hack or a prank; it was simply me being an active male,” Sharpe clarified. “Some people thought I was joking, but I just got caught up in the moment.”
Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, who was featured on the episode, acknowledged Sharpe’s technological shortcomings, noting past incidents where Sharpe had unintentionally butt-dialed him. While Johnson expressed understanding, he also voiced his disappointment, especially in light of Sharpe’s previous critiques of his professionalism.
“I’m shocked,” Johnson said. “I never thought I’d see the day when you, Unc, would do something so out of character. It’s a bit unprofessional, and honestly, I’m disappointed because I hold you to a higher standard, one you’ve criticized me for in the past.”
Despite the serious tone, Sharpe and Johnson managed to find some humor in the situation, with Sharpe even promoting a male enhancement product during the show.
