Rent Free; Shannon Sharpe Under Grizzly Skin

Shannon Sharpe’s recent altercation at the Lakers game has been highly publicized. Part of this attention is because Sharpe is a beloved figure in American sports. What you do matters as a former NFL superstar and current sports media icon, and Shannon is proving once again that he is that guy.

The Altercation

After spending halftime in the tunnel surrounded by security, Sharpe gave a brief “interview” to ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin where he detailed the events. Shannon claims that he told Dillon Brooks that Brooks is “too small to guard LeBron.” This prompted Brooks to respond with an expletive, which Sharpe repeated right back to the Grizzlies forward. 

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Then, according to Sharpe, Brooks came at him, prompting Shannon to say “You don’t want these problems.” 

Ja Morant and Morant’s dad would then inexplicably jump in the mix. A video of the ordeal shows Steven Adams having to be restrained from Shannon while a massive crowd gathered amidst rising tensions. 

Let’s clarify one thing; Shannon was correct in both of his statements to Brooks. First, LeBron James finished the game with 23 points and 9 rebounds. Not an outstanding performance by King James standards, but in no way can it be said that Brooks was holding Bron at bay. The fact that Brooks even went after Sharpe in the first place is proof that he himself was having doubts.

Second, Brooks did not want those problems. Shannon Sharpe is 52 years old and 5 inches shorter, and you’d have to be a fool not to pick him. The man played NFL Football at a high level when it was extremely acceptable to knock another man unconscious. He was and still is, a beast… Steven Adams on the other hand might have given him a run for his money.

The Repercussions

Comments online immediately after the incident were in consensus on the fact that Monday’s edition of the FS1 show “Undisputed” featuring Sharpe and Skip Bayless was going to be a good one. When Monday did roll around, Sharpe gave a very heartfelt and sincere apology for his actions on air. He apologized to just about everyone you could think of, from the Lakers to his own family. He meant everything he said, including, “I’m never gonna say that wasn’t Shannon Sharpe because that was me.” A quick YouTube search of Shannon Sharpe trash talk will absolutely confirm that.

However, he shouldn’t have to apologize. Dillon Brooks gets paid $11.6 million dollars not only to play basketball but to be in the spotlight. NBA Players and all other professional athletes must maintain composure. They must do so not only for the image of their league but in order to be great. The correct response from Dillon Brooks would have been “watch me”.

Instead, he lost his cool. Brooks should be embarrassed for his team, who all had to come over and defend him from a GOAT because he couldn’t handle a jab from court-side. The Grizzlies would go on to lose the game.