Shannon Sharpe denies allegations from accuser amidst rumors of $10 million settlement proposal

Legendary NFL player and ESPN analyst Shannon Sharpe and his legal team are disputing a civil lawsuit in which a woman has accused him of rape.

Sharpe, in a recent Instagram video, referred to the lawsuit as a "shakedown" and expressed his belief that a brief clip from a "sex tape" will be edited to falsely portray him as guilty of sexual assault.

As a result, Sharpe has requested that the full 10-minute recording be released to the public, as he believes it will prove his innocence.

The lawsuit is seeking damages of over $50 million. Sharpe's lawyer, Lanny Davis, stated that the accuser rejected a $10 million settlement before filing the suit.

The woman who has accused Sharpe has hired Tony Buzbee, a well-known attorney who has represented accusers in high-profile cases such as the Deshaun Watson sexual misconduct allegations and those who have claimed abuse by Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Buzbee and his client have shared an audio recording in which Sharpe is allegedly heard threatening to "choke the (expletive) out of" the woman. In response, the woman can be heard saying, "I don't wanna be choked," to which the voice purported to be Sharpe responds, "Yes, you do. I don't think you have a choice in the matter."

Davis has stated that Sharpe and the plaintiff were involved in "a consensual, adult relationship that included role-playing, sexual language, and fantasy scenarios." He also clarified that Sharpe did not mean his words literally.

Sharpe has also expressed his intention to countersue his accuser and Buzbee for defamation.

The audio recording is separate from the video that Sharpe is concerned will portray him as guilty "and perpetuate harmful stereotypes."

According to Buzbee, there is a "highly incriminating video" that will be presented to the jury and could potentially harm Sharpe's case.