Shannon Sharpe has found himself in hot water once again; this time for allegedly taking a viral joke too far. The former NFL star and FS1 host is facing a $20 million defamation lawsuit after falsely claiming that a woman named Jamalita Tillman’s husband left her over a flirty moment she shared with Usher during one of his concerts.
“The defendants’ false narratives were shared widely across their platforms, reaching millions of followers, viral spread, and refutation efforts, despite my clear and public reputation of the false narrative,” Tillman said in a statement (via The Sun).
The story dates back to an Usher concert in April 2025, where the plaintiff participated in a fan engagement opportunity. At one point, she was face-to-face with the singer in a clip that quickly went viral for its intensity and chemistry. After the video blew up, Sharpe joked that her husband filed for divorce over the incident—even though she was never married.
It’s another blemish for Sharpe, an NFL Hall of Famer and former ESPN personality, who just settled a $50 million lawsuit with a woman who accused him of sexual assault. He avoided any serious legal penalties, but his reputation may never recover. Now, it seems he’s got another scandal to add to his growing list of troubles, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time.
“Their continued dissemination of these false statements after I publicly clarified my marital status demonstrates a reckless disregard for the truth,” wrote Tillman. “The ongoing misinformation has resulted in emotional distress for the plaintiff, damaged her reputation, and adversely affected her personal and professional relationships.”
Sharpe has been a high-profile voice in the media for years, and with that platform comes a responsibility. Whether he meant it as a joke or not, making false personal claims about a private individual is no small mistake—especially in a digital world where stories spread fast and live forever.
So, what is this woman after? According to the lawsuit, she’s seeking $20 million in damages from Sharpe, and she’s already been in contact with his legal team. As both sides try to work out an agreement, this case could be dragged out for months, but the only thing left that Sharpe has to lose at this point is more money. Between his $50 million lawsuit and this $20 million issue, the fees are starting to rack up for Shannon, whose net worth is over $30 million.
This latest lawsuit underscores the growing accountability public figures now face in the age of viral media. For Sharpe, it’s another cautionary tale about how fast a joke can spiral into a crisis, and just how costly that punchline can be.
At a time when his brand is already vulnerable, another lawsuit—especially one with a public-facing plaintiff and a viral moment at the center—only deepens the narrative of carelessness. For someone who made a career out of storytelling and commentary, this case might force Sharpe to reconsider the fine line between humor and harm.
