Shannon Sharpe is a legendary former NFL tight end and now a well-known sports analyst, podcast host, and media personality. Born on June 26, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois, he rose from a tough childhood in Glennville, Georgia, to become one of the NFL’s most celebrated tight ends, with three Super Bowl wins and a Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in 2011. After retiring in 2003, Sharpe transitioned into broadcasting and gained popularity through shows like Undisputed and First Take, and his hit podcast Club Shay Shay.
Shannon Sharpe Wiki/Bio
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Shannon Goad Sharpe |
| Date of Birth | June 26, 1968 |
| Age | 57 (as of 2025) |
| Profession | Former NFL Player, Sports Analyst, Podcaster |
| Known For | NFL Hall of Fame, Club Shay Shay, First Take |
| Hometown | Chicago, IL; raised in Glennville, GA |
| Residence | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Education | Savannah State University (B.S., Business, 1989) |
| Instagram ID | @shannonsharpe84 |
Physical Details
| Attribute | Details |
| Height | 6’2” (188 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 225 lbs (103 kg) |
| Hair Color | Black (bald) |
Early Life
Shannon Sharpe grew up in rural poverty in Glennville, Georgia, raised primarily by his grandmother, Mary Viola Washington Porter. His parents, Pete Sharpe and Mary Alice Dixon, separated when he was just three months old, and his father died of lung cancer during Shannon’s eighth-grade year. He and his siblings, including Sterling Sharpe, a former NFL star himself, worked on tobacco and chicken farms to support the household.
Known for his wit even during hardship, Shannon once joked, “We were so poor, a robber broke in and we ended up robbing him.” Despite hardships, he excelled in football, basketball, and track at Glennville High School, earning a scholarship to Savannah State University, where he left a lasting legacy.
Education
| Field | Details |
| School | Glennville High School, GA |
| College | Savannah State University (B.S., 1989) |
| Other Training | Track and field, basketball |
At Savannah State, Shannon was a three-time All-SIAC selection and Kodak Division II All-American. His talent on the field was undeniable, and though he came from a small school, his work ethic and resilience paved the way to the NFL.
Family Details
| Relation | Name/Info |
| Father | Pete Sharpe (deceased) |
| Mother | Mary Alice Dixon |
| Siblings | Sterling Sharpe (brother), Sherra “Libby” Sharpe (sister) |
| Children | Kayla, Kaley, Kiari (all born 1992) |
| Past Partner | Engaged to Katy Kellner (2016–2018) |
| Grandmother | Mary Viola Washington Porter |
Sharpe is the father of three: Kayla, an HR professional; Kiari, a financial analyst; and Kaley, a medical graduate. Though he was once engaged, Shannon never married, choosing instead to focus on his NFL and media careers.
Career Highlights
Sharpe was drafted in the 7th round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. After a slow start, he was switched to tight end in his third season—an iconic move that changed the course of his career. He became a dominant offensive force, with 815 receptions, over 10,000 receiving yards, and 62 touchdowns by retirement in 2003.
He won three Super Bowls (two with the Broncos, one with the Ravens) and made eight Pro Bowl appearances. Sharpe was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011 and still holds records for tight end performance in the postseason.
Post-retirement, he joined CBS Sports and later co-hosted Undisputed with Skip Bayless for seven years. Since 2023, he’s been a fixture on ESPN’s First Take with Stephen A. Smith.
He also hosts two popular podcasts:
- Club Shay Shay (launched 2020)
- Nightcap (launched 2023, with Chad Johnson)
Career Milestones
| Milestone | Details |
| Breakthrough | First tight end with 10,000+ receiving yards |
| Major Awards | Pro Football Hall of Fame (2011), 3× Super Bowl Champion |
| Media Success | Club Shay Shay, First Take, Undisputed |
| Endorsements | Nike, Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Le Portier Cognac |
Net Worth and Income
| Field | Details |
| Estimated Net Worth | $14 million (as of July 2025) |
| Income Sources | NFL salary, media deals, podcasts, endorsements |
| NFL Earnings | $22.3 million (career) |
| Media Earnings | Approx. $3 million/year |
| Assets | Georgia mansion with theater and infinity pool |
Sharpe’s wealth comes from a long NFL career, high-profile media jobs, endorsement deals, and real estate. His brand, Le Portier Cognac, is another growing asset, backed by his massive social following.
Controversies
- Instagram Live (2024): Sharpe went viral after unintentionally airing an intimate moment on Instagram Live. He later confirmed its authenticity and publicly apologized on Nightcap.
- Sexual Assault Lawsuit (2025): In April, OnlyFans model Gabriella Zuniga filed a $50 million lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct. Sharpe denied the allegations, calling it a “shakedown.” The case was settled in July 2025, and dismissed with prejudice.
- Brett Favre Lawsuit (2023): Favre sued Sharpe for defamation over welfare scandal remarks on Undisputed. The outcome remains unclear.
- Damar Hamlin Incident (2023): Sharpe skipped an episode of Undisputed after Hamlin’s cardiac arrest. His emotional absence and Skip Bayless’ controversial tweet sparked fan outrage.
Recent Updates
2023–2024
- Left FS1’s Undisputed (June 2023) after public tensions with Skip Bayless
- Joined ESPN’s First Take (August 2023); signed extension in June 2024
- Club Shay Shay’s Katt Williams episode broke records (70M+ views)
- Launched Nightcap with Chad Johnson in late 2023
- Instagram controversy made headlines in September 2024
2025
- Club Shay Shay won a 2025 NAACP Image Award
- Settled sexual assault case in July 2025
- Took a hiatus from ESPN, expected to return for NFL season