THREE-TIME SUPER BOWL CHAMP AND PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMER SHANNON SHARPE JOINS FOX SPORTS
Eight-Time Pro Bowl Tight End Lines Up Against Skip Bayless on FS1's New Opinion Show
Los Angeles - Three-time Super Bowl Champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe joins FOX Sports to face his biggest opponent yet: Skip Bayless. One of the greatest tight ends in National Football League history, the always outspoken Sharpe joins Bayless on an in-development opinion and debate show premiering Tuesday, Sept. 6 (10:00 AM ET) on FS1. The announcement was made today by Jamie Horowitz, President, FOX Sports National Networks.
"We're thrilled to have Shannon Sharpe joining FS1," Horowitz said. "We watched him sit across from Skip numerous times on First Take, and we saw that he is both relentless and thought-provoking. The two have diverse backgrounds and different opinions, but come together with great chemistry on television."
"I'm thrilled to be facing a new daily challenge - squaring off with Skip on FS1," said Sharpe. "I like and respect him, but we've gone at it many times and he knows I'm not going to back down from him. Maybe I'll let him win a few."
Additional details on the new show will be announced in the coming weeks.
Sharpe joined Bayless as a guest host on First Take numerous times over the last year. He first transitioned from the field to a broadcast career in 2004, as a commentator for CBS Sports' "The NFL Today," appearing on pregame, halftime and postgame shows, where he served for close to 10 years.
In addition to his television work, Sharpe worked as a radio host for Sirius NFL Radio's "Opening Drive" morning program, alongside Bob Papa. In 2013, he also took to writing, becoming a columnist and spokesperson for FitnessRX For Men magazine and appeared on their September 2013 cover.
A seventh-round draft pick from little-known Savannah State, Sharpe enjoyed a 14-year career with the Denver Broncos (1990-99, 2002-03) and Baltimore Ravens (2000-01). During his first tenure in Denver (1990-99), Sharpe was voted to seven consecutive Pro Bowls from 1992-98, earned the prestigious first-team All-Pro honors an impressive four times and was voted the first-team tight end on the 1990's All-Decade Team. He finished his career with 815 receptions for 10,060 yards (12.3 avg.) and 62 touchdowns, ranking in the Top 5 all-time among tight ends in each category. He received the ultimate individual honor when he was selected for enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
A career that checked all boxes, Sharpe's résumé also boasts an impressive list of team accomplishments of which he played an integral role. A member of three different Super Bowl championship teams, Sharpe enjoyed back-to-back titles with the Broncos in 1997 and 1998 and returned to the NFL's summit with the Ravens in 2000.
Sharpe holds the NFL post-season record for longest reception, a 96-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown at Oakland in the 2000 AFC Championship Game. He also holds the NFL record for most receiving yards in a game by a tight end (214). A big-game performer who played his best under the brightest lights, Sharpe appeared in 12 post-season contests as a Bronco - all starts - and ranks third in franchise playoff history in receptions (47) and fourth in receiving yards (505).
Sharpe lives with longtime girlfriend Katy Kellner and their three dogs - Pomeranians Tazz and Tarzan, and Bull Mastiff Tonka.
|