Shannon Sharpe Sex Case Takes Another Nasty Twist As Rumor Swirl

The Baltimore Ravens have had an offseason mired in controversy, and they haven’t done themselves any favors in containing it. Kicker Justin Tucker is facing allegations from several Baltimore-area massage therapists claiming sexual misconduct, straining the zero-tolerance policy the team once claimed to have, but has decided to postpone until the league’s investigation has concluded.

In Round 2 of the NFL Draft, the Ravens once again tied themselves to a player with real off-field question marks. Marshall edge rusher Mike Green fell to the end of Round 2 because of his past. He was accused of sexual assault in high school and understood that Virginia had its own zero-tolerance policy. Another accusation emerged, and Green subsequently found himself at Marshall.

Nevertheless, Baltimore either feels extremely comfortable in the validity of Green’s denials, or it is simply prioritizing football over character.

Even the Ravens’ past has been marred with controversy this offseason.

Steve Smith is embroiled in a so-called “home-wrecker” lawsuit. (See below).

And …

Former Baltimore tight end Shannon Sharpe has been accused of sexual assault in a nasty case.

His ESPN colleague, Stephen A. Smith, is quick to defend him.

“Although I was hopeful that it ultimately would not lead to him being off the air, I knew it wasn’t going to go down like that because I know Disney,” Smith said on “BigBoyTV,” via Barrett Media. “The court of public opinion is what the Disney’s of the world and others concerned themselves with. That’s a more immediate issue, and unfortunately, that has worked against him at this particular moment in time.”

ESPN released a statement shortly after the accusations arose, announcing that it agreed with Sharpe’s decision to step away from television.

But there is a “but” here.

In a new twist … One outlet reports that Sharpe’s return to ESPN is “not guaranteed.”

That isn’t necessarily a presumption of Sharpe’s guilt. But it is reckless to allow someone under such serious scrutiny to star on the network’s popular weekday show, and Sharpe may have been asked to step away if he hadn’t done so voluntarily.

Smith clearly disagrees with the decision to take Sharpe off the air and claims it is his duty as a friend to stand by Sharpe amid the turmoil.

“I know the brother tells me he’s innocent,” Smith said. “I believe him. I know that he does not trust easy, and that honest conversations that he’s had with me he wouldn’t have with just anybody. I’m going to honor that, and I’m going to make sure that he knows and that everybody knows that no matter how things go down, not to say that he would rely on me, but if he ever chose to, anything that I can do for him as a friend I will do.”

In the wake of the players’ accusations, all involved have staunchly denied the respective claims.

But in the court of public opinion? It’s been a disturbing offseason for Ravens past and present.

Shannon Sharpe Sex Case Takes Another Nasty Twist As Rumor Swirl

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