Ray Lewis Expresses Discontent with Shannon Sharpe’s Methods to Stay Relevant, Ideology Change

Ray Lewis is not a fan of the route and choices his former Ravens teammate Shannon Sharpe has taken to stay relevant in the media.

Ray Lewis Expresses Discontent with Shannon Sharpe’s Methods to Stay Relevant, Ideology Change

Shannon Sharpe and Ray Lewis inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

Ray Lewis dislikes Shannon Sharpe’s post-retirement career choices so much that the former teammates no longer even see eye to eye with each other. Lewis reflected on his rift with Sharpe last year.

Back in August 2025, Lewis appeared on the “PBD Podcast,” where host Patrick David-Bet asked whether he knew Sharpe would one day have success as a media personality. Lewis admitted that he envisioned Sharpe in the media, but he’s “shocked” to see the route the former tight end has taken to earn his fame.

I’m not surprised. I’m shocked at his content. I wouldn’t in a million years, the things that Shannon has said now or did now, I would never believe that Shannon would say or do any of those things.

Ray Lewis told Patrick David-Bet

Lewis confided that he never saw Sharpe touch alcohol during their playing days. But it changed a few years into his media career. Famously, Sharpe can be seen drinking his own brand of luxury cognac, Le Portier Shay VSOP, on his Club Shay Shay podcast while hosting familiar faces from various backgrounds.

That route is to become so worldly that you become popular because you’re talking about ignorance. A lot of times a lot of these gossip conversations that they having and bringing up all this stuff, I’m not gonna do that to nobody.

Lewis said

Shannon Sharpe and Ray Lewis briefly shared the locker room at the Baltimore Ravens. Together, they led the franchise to its first Super Bowl victory in 2000-01.

Individually, Sharpe has won three rings, twice with the Denver Broncos. Lewis won his second ring with the Ravens in 2012.

Sharpe reacted to Lewis’ statement on the Nightcap podcast, which he hosts with former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson and retired NBA star Joe Johnson.

I got nothing bad to say. Because a lot of things you tolerated. I’m going to go ahead and say my thing. Whatever transpired, I’ll bite my tongue. I’ll be the bigger person. I’ll walk away.

Sharpe said
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Shannon Sharpe drops the verdict on JJ McCarthy

The Minnesota Vikings signed free agent and former first overall draft pick Kyler Murray in the offseason to set up a quarterback competition between him and third-year signal-caller JJ McCarthy. The Vikings coaching staff waited until the end of the spring camp to announce the results of the duel. Murray won, leaving McCarthy’s career in limbo.

Ray Lewis Expresses Discontent With Shannon Sharpe's Methods to Stay Relevant, Ideology Change
Shannon Sharpe (Image via IMAGO)

Although McCarthy has no intention of leaving the Vikings and wants to continue fighting for the QB1 job, Shannon Sharpe believes the former Michigan man’s time in Minnesota is near its end.

I ain’t gonna hold you. It’s gonna be hard for J.J. McCarthy to stay on this roster. I think there’s a greater chance they try and trade him.

Sharpe said in a recent episode of the Nightcap podcast

Sharpe even questioned whether McCarthy is even good enough to be Murray’s backup.

If my starter goes down, who do I believe gives me the best chance to keep this thing afloat until Kyler gets back? You believe it’s J.J. McCarthy, or you believe it’s Carson Wentz?

Sharpe said

McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft, missed his rookie season after suffering a bad knee injury that required surgery. Last year, he was given the nod as the Vikings’ QB1, but he did a terrible job. He completed 57% of his passes for 1632 yards, threw 11 touchdowns and 12 picks. The Vikings missed the playoffs.

McCarthy appeared in the Vikings’ preseason win against the New York Giants. He completed 4 of 7 passes for 34 yards.

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