Shannon Sharpe's exit from ESPN continues to make headlines, and now the Hall of Fame tight end has been hit with another major lawsuit.
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Sharpe and former NFL receiver Chad Johnson, his co-host on the "Nightcap" podcast, are being sued for $20 million by a woman who went viral following an interaction with Usher at an April 2 concert. The woman, Jimalita Tillman, also named Sharpe's production company, Shay Shay Media, as a defendant.
According to court documents obtained by The U.S. Sun, Tillman claims Sharpe and Johnson defamed her by spreading false rumors during a podcast segment. The clip in question showed Usher feeding her cherries during a flirtatious moment that quickly spread online. The internet dubbed her "Auntie Cherry," and rumors circulated that she was married and later divorced over the interaction.
Tillman says those rumors were fueled in part by Sharpe and Johnson, even though she was never married.
"Following this event, the defendants made and disseminated false and defamatory statements suggesting that I was married and that my husband was filing for divorce due to my participation in this audience experience. I am not married, nor am I currently going through a divorce," Tillman wrote in the lawsuit.
She added that the widespread reach of the false narrative has damaged her character and reputation, prompting the legal action.
This latest lawsuit comes shortly after Sharpe reportedly settled a $50 million lawsuit brought by Gabriella Zuniga, a woman with whom he had a previous relationship. Zuniga accused Sharpe of sexual misconduct.
While Sharpe denied the allegations, the case brought negative attention and led to him stepping away from ESPN in April. The network has since moved on.
Sharpe spent about a year and a half with ESPN and recently spoke about his departure on his podcast.
