from www.nydailynews.com – One of the NFL’s all-time biggest mouths is being silenced … for now.
Shannon Sharpe, the former All-Pro tight end who won Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, has taken a leave of absence from his job as an NFL analyst for CBS Sports after having sexual assault allegations brought against him.
Michele Bundy received a temporary restraining order against Sharpe from Atlanta’s Fulton County Superior Court after filing a petition under the “family violence” category Thursday.
Sharpe is alleged to have threatened Bundy’s life and forced her to have sex according to court documents obtained by Sports by Brooks. A hearing in the case is set for Monday.
“I have decided to step away from ‘The NFL Today’ (CBS’ pregame show) until this matter is resolved,” Sharpe said in a statement released by CBS.
CBS spokesperson LeslieAnne Wade said: “We accept Shannon’s decision and decline to comment further on a pending legal matter.”
The eight-time Pro Bowler played 12 seasons in Denver and was one of John Elway’s top targets as the Broncos won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1998 and 1999. He won another title with the Ravens in 2001.
When he retired following the 2003 season, he was the NFL’s all-time leader among tight ends with 815 catches, 10,060 yards and 62 touchdowns.
Sharpe, known for his trash-talking on the field and his brash predictions off, joined CBS Sports in May 2004.