Shannon Sharpe made a significant decision early in his football career to stop staying overnight at women’s homes, a choice he discussed in a recent podcast interview.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer appeared on the “Funky Friday” podcast alongside former NFL quarterback Cam Newton, recounting two incidents that led him to this decision.
The first incident occurred shortly after being drafted by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round from Savannah State. Sharpe, returning to Georgia late, didn’t want to disturb his grandmother, so he called a woman to see if he could stay over. However, things took an unexpected turn.
“Cam, something told me, ‘Boy, keep your clothes on.’ So, I just had on shorts and a T-shirt,” Sharpe recalled. “Ever had sleep paralysis? You hear things but can’t move… I could hear them arguing, and suddenly the door burst open. I jumped up, ready for anything.”
To his surprise, the man who entered was a huge fan, not a threat. He praised Sharpe’s football skills but had issues with the woman involved.
“He wasn’t upset with me but with her,” Sharpe explained. “I realized I needed to leave.”
In 1993, during a Broncos bye week, Sharpe faced another alarming situation during homecoming at Savannah State. Again, he was caught off guard when a man entered with a weapon.
“I was shocked but relieved when he recognized me,” Sharpe recounted. “He returned my jewelry and saved me from a dangerous situation.”
Since then, Sharpe hasn’t spent a night at another woman’s house in over three decades.
Sharpe, a three-time Super Bowl champion and eight-time Pro Bowler, concluded his career after 12 years with the Broncos and additional years with the Baltimore Ravens.
