Shannon Sharpe has announced that he has elected to “step aside” from his ESPN hosting as the drama surrounding a rape lawsuit filed against him intensifies.

Full story below…

Taking to social media moments ago, the 56-year-old anchor issued a statement relaying his decision to “temporarily” withdraw from his duties with the sports network.

Sharpe, who continues to assert his innocence against the Jane Doe’s claims that he raped her during the year’s long relationship,  wrote:

“My statement is found here and this is the truth. The relationship in question was 100% consensual.

At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties.

I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me. I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason.

I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming and ongoing support I have received from my family, fans, friends and colleagues.

Shannon Sharpe”

With that, what are…

Your thoughts?