For all their huffing and puffing over the years, it appears Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless really do have affection for each other.
And all it took for them to show it on the air of “Skip and Shannon: Undisputed” was for Sharpe to leave the show.
Both co-hosts offered gratitude and tearful goodbyes for the other in Sharpe’s long-awaited final show, which has been expected since it was originally reported in late May he would leave.
Despite numerous heated conversations and debates between the two since the show began in September 2016, both Sharpe and Bayless were effusive in their praise of the other, which began with Sharpe thanking several people during his time on the show — last of which he offered to Bayless.
MORE: Why is Shannon Sharpe leaving ‘Undisputed’?
“You fought for me. I’m here because of you. You’ve allowed me to share the stage with you. You allowed me to share the platform,” Sharpe told Bayless. “I will cry in the car, but I’m not going to cry now. The opportunity that you gave me to become what I became, I’m very indebted to you. I’ll never forget what you did for me.”
Shannon tears up as he thanks Skip pic.twitter.com/Xja5ld7XqL
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 13, 2023
Bayless responded in kind, calling Sharpe “a worthy adversary” and thanking him for his time and effort he spent on the show. Naturally, he included frequent references to the duo’s most common debates, including whether LeBron James is worthy of being called the GOAT and Bayless’ Cowboys fandom.
Bayless also said the show originally was going to have a different format entirely. That is, until he learned Sharpe was available to serve as co-host — at which point Bayless said, “I believe he can do this. And did you ever.”
“You were a worthy adversary.” Skip Bayless pic.twitter.com/h2ulQFwVpa
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 13, 2023
MORE: Shannon Sharpe replacement candidates
Sharpe is leaving “Undisputed” amid reported tensions between him and Bayless. They reportedly began after a much-criticized tweet by Bayless following the collapse of Bills safety Damar Hamlin on “Monday Night Football.”
Sharpe did not appear on the show the following day and, when he returned the following day, mentioned Bayless’ tweet as the reason for his absence.
Sharpe has been publicly recruited to join Stephen A. Smith on the set of ESPN’s “First Take,” where Bayless worked prior to his joining Fox Sports. Sharpe has not indicated whether he would accept the position, so it’s uncertain where exactly the next stage of his career will be.
Regardless, Bayless doesn’t seem to be worried about where Sharpe will go from here.
“This is a happy-sad moment for me, because I look forward to your next great achievement,” Bayless said. “And it is coming.”
Published at Tue, 13 Jun 2023 17:03:31 +0000
