Shannon Sharpe announces he will temporarily step away from ESPN

Shannon Sharpe is temporarily stepping away from ESPN after being accused of sexual assault and battery in a $50 million lawsuit filed on Sunday. 

Sharpe, who has denied all allegations against him, released a statement on Thursday. 

“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,” Sharpe wrote in a statement. 

“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.”

This is a developing story. More to come.