Hall of Fame football player Shannon Sharpe used his television platform Monday to
apologize for the altercation between himself and members of the Memphis Grizzlies
that went viral two days earlier during a game at the Los Angeles lakers
Arena.
Before “Undisputed” – the daily FOX Sports debate show between Sharpe, a Pro
Football Hall of Famer, and Skip Bayless on FS1 – began in earnest, moderator Jen
Hale turned the floor over to Sharpe.
“I want to apologize for my behavior,” Sharpe said. “You know, guys, for the last six-
and-a-half years responsibility and accountability. And I take full responsibility for
what transpired.
As Memphis’ Dillon Brooks and LeBron James battled for position right in front of
Sharpe’s courtside seat late in the first half Friday, the television personality and
Brooks exchanged words. The chatter kept going on the final Grizzlies possession.
Shortly after the halftime buzzer sounded of an eventual 122-121 Lakers victory, it
escalated to Sharpe yelling at Brooks and Ja Morant.
Morant began approaching Sharpe, but Grizzlies teammate Steven Adams stepped in
front of him and the altercation swelled with security becoming involved and players
and coaches from both teams trying to separate the involved parties. Others,
including Morant’s father Tee Morant, also became entangled.
Sharpe, who sported a colorful cardigan, was escorted from the floor. From the arena
tunnel, he told ESPN: “They didn’t want this smoke. … I said he was too small to
guard LeBron. He said, ‘(expletive) me.’ I said, ‘(expletive) you’ back. He started to
come (at) me and I said, ‘You don’t want these problems.’ And then Ja came out of
nowhere talking. He definitely didn’t want these problems. Then the dad came and he
obviously didn’t want no problems. But I wanted anything they had. Don’t let these
fools fool you now.”
Read Also:Spain sack coach Luis Enrique after Morocco World Cup defeat
On Monday, Sharpe was more conciliatory.
“It does not matter what Dillon Brooks said. It does not matter how many times he
said it. Me being the responsible person, me having the platform I have, and having
so many people look up to me, I was wrong,” Sharpe said. “I should have lowered the
temperature in the arena. Instead, I turned the temperature up and I let it get out of
hand.”
During his lengthy apology, Sharpe atoned to teams and individuals. He specifically
mentioned:
The Lakers organization, owner Jeanie Buss and the Buss family
The fans in attendance and those who were watching on television. “That’s not what
you paid for and that’s not what you tuned in to watch. Shannon Sharpe should have
been mentioned as someone that was at the game. Not someone who let his emotions
run hot and get out of hand.”
The Memphis Grizzlies, Brooks and Morant
His stylist, “Hollywood,” with whom he attended the game.
James “because he supported me through thick and thin.” James said after the game
he stood beside Sharpe “365 days a year” and Sharpe apologized for putting James in
the situation of having to do that.
His own family
“I’m never going to be too big to say I’m sorry,” Sharpe said.
