Ray Lewis and Shannon Sharpe were teammates on the Baltimore Ravens when the team won the Super Bowl in 2000. Lewis and Sharpe, a three-time Super Bowl champion himself, played together for two seasons before their career paths eventually led them both into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
These days, Sharpe is an on-camera personality with his “Nightcap” show alongside former NFL wide receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson. He also hosts the “Club Shay Shay” podcast, which often features celebrity-driven interviews.
But watching Sharpe now is a bit much for Lewis. What is he saying about his old teammate?
Why Is Ray Lewis Upset with Shannon Sharpe?
Lewis recently was a guest on the “PBD Podcast,” and in the interview, he said Sharpe had been preparing for a career in broadcasting even during his playing days.
When asked if he was surprised by Sharpe’s success in following the path of personalities such as ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, Lewis said he wasn’t — but he was surprised by Sharpe’s approach.
“I’m shocked at his content,” Lewis said. “The things that Shannon has said now, has done now, I would have never believed Shannon would say that or do that.”
When pressed for an example, Lewis pointed to drinking.
“Shannon, in my entire career, I’ve never seen him drink ever,” Lewis said. “Like it was against the law, right? Because he had some stuff in his family, and he didn’t want to follow that. So I kind of started to watch him. We kind of went our own separate ways because I’m like, ‘Hmm, you’re going to take that route? I can’t do that route.’”
Wow: Ray Lewis says that fame “changed” Shannon Sharpe, and that they went their separate ways.
“I’m shocked at his content… We went our separate ways. You’re gonna take that route? I can’t go that route!”pic.twitter.com/ZTHammSj1q
— JPA (@jasrifootball) August 30, 2025
“And that route is to become so worldly that you become popular because you’re talking about ignorance,” Lewis added. “A lot of times, a lot of these gossip conversations that they’re having and bringing up all this stuff. I’m not going to do that to nobody. I’m not in the business for that. I’m in life to try to teach people what does it mean to be a better man to get back to the Kingdom.”
What Types of Careers Did Lewis, Sharpe Have in NFL?
As a linebacker, Lewis played his entire NFL career with the Ravens between 1996-2012. He totaled 2,059 career combined tackles and 1,568 solo tackles and won NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice.
Sharpe, a tight end, played 14 NFL seasons — 12 with the Denver Broncos and two with the Ravens. He finished his career with 815 receptions for 10,060 yards and 62 touchdowns.
Don’t be surprised if Sharpe responds to Lewis’s comments on his own podcast.