With the NBA Finals over, Tuesday marked the end of an era on FS1, as Shannon Sharpe officially announced it would be his last day co-hosting Undisputed. The former NFL tight end spent the past seven years across the table from Skip Bayless, becoming a staple on the network, but it was reported last month that he will leave FS1.
Sharpe opened the show thanking Bayless for the opportunity, giving him the credit for helping him get the job in the first place.
“I’m here because of you,” Sharpe said. “You’ve allowed me to share the stage with you, you’ve allowed me to share the platform.”
Shannon tears up as he thanks Skip pic.twitter.com/Xja5ld7XqL
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 13, 2023
Starting in 2016, Sharpe became the foil Bayless needed when he left ESPN for FS1, allowing the show to find its footing as a rival to other midday sports talk shows. As a result, Sharpe says being able to debate Bayless helped him grow in his career.
“The opportunity that you gave me to become what I became, I’m forever indebted to you, I’ll never forget what you did for me,” he said. “You helped me grow more than you’ll ever know.”
It was at that moment that Sharpe got emotional, as he needed a moment to wipe away his tears before giving Bayless one final take.
“All I ask, is when you lay your head on the pillow at night, know that I gave you everything I had,” he said.
The entire scene was notable, especially given the rumors over why Sharpe may be leaving the show. If there is any rift between him and Bayless, it didn’t show during this moment.
Sharpe also thanked many other people at Fox for allowing him the opportunity to debate Bayless, something very few people can say that they’ve done.
