Shannon Sharpe, Skip BaylessShannon Sharpe, Skip Bayless (Image Credits: Getty Images)
In a recent interview with Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton on Newton’s Funkey Friday podcast, former NFL player Shannon Sharpe was asked several essential questions about his career and personal life. One of the most anticipated questions was his friendship with Undisputed host Skip Bayless.

You can listen to this part of the conversation at the 1:01:45 mark of the podcast.


Cam Newton: I have to speak about this because I saw this, the situation with Skip. Alright, Was it, Was the frustration with Skip or the frustration with the network or the executives.

Shannon Sharpe: I think for me, I really appreciate Skip believing in me and bringing me there, even when the network wanted him to hire a journalist because I was really the first athlete to sit down and sit across from a journalist and debate topics right…Skip believed that I could (talk about multiple sports), and the opportunity presented itself, and I took full advantage of it. Maybe it was a combination of things, Maybe there are some things that I could have done differently, Maybe I should have just like had a conversation with Skip.

Sharpe Spills the Tea on His Undisputed Troubles

Sharpe further mentioned the actual problem he faced at Undisputed. He said people claimed Skip made him and his career, which hurt him. He further explained his point by giving some examples.

“The only thing I get upset about is what I hear people saying: Skip gave you, you know, Skip made you. Now, had I not made it? What would you all have said? They wouldn’t have said that was the reason I failed. So, in other words, when I’m successful, you give him all the credit and give me none of it. So when I fail, you give me all the blame and give him none of it.” Sharpe continued.

Recently, after his long-term extension with ESPN, Sharpe gave some credit to First Take host Stephen A. Smith for his success on ESPN.