Michele Evans, who has long accused NFL star Shannon Sharpe of abuse, is speaking out again.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Evans shared disturbing details about her own 15-year legal fight with Sharpe and drew striking comparisons to the recent $50 million rape lawsuit he is facing in Nevada.
Evans believes the latest accuser, identified only as Doe, is going through the same painful process she once endured.
Evans Reacts to New Allegations Against Sharpe
Evans, now 52, said that hearing about Sharpe’s latest legal troubles triggered painful memories from her own experience.
“I was totally triggered,” Evans admitted. “I believed her right away. How could I not after going through what I’ve been through?” The lawsuit in Nevada, filed by a former girlfriend, accuses Sharpe of rape, while also referencing Evans’ own 2023 defamation case against the retired NFL player.
Although Sharpe and his legal team have denied the accusations, Evans sees troubling similarities between her situation and the new allegations.
A History of Retaliation and Intimidation
Evans claims that Sharpe has sought to retaliate against her since their relationship ended in the early 2000s.
She and Sharpe were never officially a couple, but Evans says they became involved while she was working as a television reporter covering the Denver Broncos.
She describes how their relationship turned abusive, culminating in a brutal assault by Sharpe in 2010.
Despite her attempts to seek justice, Evans claims Sharpe used his connections to destroy her reputation.
“He told me that he would use everybody he knows to destroy me,” Evans said. “That’s basically what he did.”
Doxxing and Emotional Trauma
One of the most painful aspects of Evans’ legal battle was Sharpe’s alleged campaign of doxxing — a practice she says he is continuing with Doe.
According to Evans, Sharpe’s team released Doe’s personal information, including her OnlyFans account, to the public.
Evans recognizes this as part of the same strategy that Sharpe allegedly used against her, a tactic that led her to drop her protective order against him.
She describes an incident where someone yelled at her at her front door: “Shut up, b****!” This doxxing, Evans believes, is part of the harassment that both she and the new accuser have suffered.
Lawsuit Repercussions and Media Coverage
Evans filed her first lawsuit against Sharpe in 2023, accusing him of defamation.
She claims that Sharpe made false statements about her in the media, which led to her losing her job at CNN and being publicly vilified.
Evans also pointed out that Sharpe tried to downplay her 2010 protective order request during a 2014 CNN appearance.
This, she believes, created a false narrative that painted her as unreliable and undermined her credibility.
The Long Road to Justice
Evans’ legal journey has been long and painful. After ending her relationship with Sharpe, she later married another man, but that marriage turned abusive.
She shares audio recordings of arguments, including one in which her husband admitted to attempting to kill her.
Evans eventually found herself incarcerated due to an assault charge, serving time at New York’s infamous Rikers Island.
During her prison sentence, she faced further trauma, missing the funeral of her niece, Macie Hill, who tragically passed away in a parade accident.
Sharpe’s Alleged Role in Evans’ Legal Struggles
Evans believes that Sharpe’s involvement in her case contributed to the legal nightmare she faced.
She claims his sworn affidavits were filled with false accusations, including claims that she stalked him and falsely accused him of rape.
These false statements, she believes, led to her being unjustly imprisoned and enduring years of emotional trauma.
Sharpe’s Denial and Evans’ Persistence
In response to Evans’ allegations, Sharpe’s legal team has vehemently denied her claims, labeling them as “ridiculous and completely without merit.”
Despite the dismissive stance from Sharpe’s side, Evans has remained persistent in her fight for justice.
Using her time in prison to learn about the legal system, she filed her original complaint and has continued to raise awareness about the alleged abuse and retaliation she suffered.
A Complex Relationship with Sharpe
Despite the pain Sharpe’s actions caused her, Evans credits him with helping her in one important way.
She recalls how Sharpe gave her an ultimatum to quit drinking, which she believes may have saved her life.
“He gave me an ultimatum,” Evans said.
“He told me, ‘You have to choose the alcohol or me.’ That might’ve saved my life.”
The Ongoing Fight for the Truth
Evans is determined to make sure that the harm Sharpe allegedly caused her is not forgotten.
She is particularly concerned about the impact his actions may have on Doe, the new accuser.
Evans emphasizes that putting personal information out into the public can lead to violence, and she believes Sharpe’s actions are deeply troubling.
Evans’ fight for justice continues, as she works to hold Sharpe accountable for his alleged actions and to prevent others from suffering the same fate.