Shannon Sharpe Under Fire For Interview With Amanda Seales

Pro Football Hall of Famer turned media personality Shannon Sharpe is never afraid to discuss uncomfortable topics.

But a recent interview with actress Amanda Seales on his podcast, Club Shay Shay, landed Sharpe in some hot water.

Sharpe and Seales discussed a number of topics, including several discussions about race and racism. Some of his comments on those topics led to significant backlash on social media.

The controversy began with Seales calling out Emmanuel Acho for recent comments about Angel Reese.

“She is a young person! Do you know how disgusting that is?” Seales said. “That cornball n-…who loves to make himself look like he’s the white people’s savior.”

Sharpe initially pleaded ignorance. “Who said that?” Sharpe asked, prompting Seales to say, “Emmanuel Acko [sic]…’ Come talk to me, white people, I’m the Black guy that’s nice.’ Cut it out! It’s ridiculous.”

Then Seales went on to discuss the racism she faced as a child. Sharpe tried to downplay the incidents.

Seales discussed being called the N-word while working at Disney, being told she only got the opportunity because she’s Black, and more, before Sharpe stepped in.

“They’re kids,” he said, leaving Seales in a state of disbelief. “As a child, you never said anything derogatory? You were just this model citizen as a child?”

Seales wasn’t having it and quickly clapped back.

“So you have no problem with the children that were cursing out Ruby Bridges?” she began. “And the Little Rock Nine?”

Sharpe then responded that multiple things can be true, kids can be kids and things can be wrong.

But that answer didn’t sit very well with those who listened to the interview.

Sharpe’s podcast and interview series has been immensely successful. And he’s shown that he’s not afraid to discuss controversial topics.

But he may have bit off a little more than he could chew this time around.