Ray Lewis Criticizes Shannon Sharpe’s Shift Toward Gossip Media: “We Went Separate Ways” [VIDEO]

From Ravens Brothers to a Rift Over Sports Media Values

Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis has never been one to bite his tongue. Known during his NFL career as one of the fiercest leaders in sports, Lewis has now turned his fire toward his former teammate Shannon Sharpe. In a recent appearance on Patrick Bet-David’s PBD Podcast on Valuetainment, Lewis expressed disappointment and concern over the direction Sharpe has taken as a media figure, saying the former tight end has drifted into gossip and sensationalism.

“I’m shocked at his content,” Lewis said. “In a million years, the things that Shannon has said now or did now—I would never believe that Shannon will say or do any of these things. We went our separate ways. You’re gonna take that route? I can’t go that route.”

The comments have sparked a new wave of debate—not just about Sharpe’s popular shows like Club Shay Shay and Nightcap, but about the entire state of modern sports media.

From Close Friendship to Estrangement

Lewis and Sharpe’s relationship once symbolized loyalty and brotherhood. They were teammates on the Baltimore Ravens in 2000, the year Lewis faced one of the darkest chapters of his life. Charged in a double murder case, Lewis was ultimately acquitted after pleading to obstruction of justice. During that time, Sharpe, who was in the twilight of his Hall of Fame career, publicly defended Lewis. The Ravens went on to win Super Bowl XXXV together, cementing a bond many assumed would last a lifetime.

Fast forward to 2025, and things couldn’t be more different. Sharpe’s rise as a media personality—first on Undisputed with Skip Bayless, and later through his wildly successful Club Shay Shay podcast—has turned him into a dominant cultural figure. But it’s also made him a lightning rod. Episodes like his viral sit-down with comedian Katt Williams, which racked up over 70 million views, have fueled Sharpe’s fame while drawing criticism for leaning on gossip and personal attacks.

Lewis believes that this shift represents a betrayal of the principles they once stood for together. “The devil has the ability to make you popular,” he said on the podcast. “God has the ability to give you influence. That’s the thing for me that started to switch with not just Shannon… but a lot of men who have these platforms.”

Lewis’s Critique: Faith and Integrity vs. Fame and Controversy

At the core of Lewis’s comments is a moral and spiritual critique. For him, Sharpe’s embrace of alcohol on camera, controversial interviews, and gossip-driven storylines are symbolic of fame’s corrupting influence.

“Shannon in my entire career—I never saw him with a drink,” Lewis explained. “He had family history with alcohol, and it was something he never touched. Now I see him sipping, laughing, and chasing clicks. That’s not the Shannon I knew.”

Lewis framed the divergence as a matter of principle. While Sharpe is chasing “worldly” success through controversy, Lewis says he has chosen to focus on faith, family, and teaching young men to grow into leaders.

“I’m in life to try to teach people what does it mean to be a better man,” he said. “Everybody’s talking now. Everybody got a podcast. But go back and check out a couple of episodes and ask yourself: Do you give life or do you give death?”

Sharpe’s Style: Why It Works

To be fair, Sharpe’s approach has made him one of the most successful athletes-turned-media moguls of the past decade. His ability to ask unfiltered questions and create viral, meme-worthy moments has fueled his growth. Club Shay Shay is consistently one of the most-watched podcasts in America, particularly among younger audiences who crave authenticity and controversy.

Episodes with stars like Steve Harvey, Shannon Briggs, and Katt Williams have become cultural talking points far beyond sports. Sharpe’s partnership with ex-NFL star Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson on Nightcap has only extended his reach, giving him dominance in the crowded sports podcasting space.

But this formula is also why critics like Lewis—and many others—worry that sports media has veered too far into spectacle. Instead of focusing on legacy, values, and substantive discussion, Sharpe and others are being rewarded for drama.

The Hypocrisy Debate

Lewis’s critique didn’t land cleanly with everyone. On social media, many users were quick to point out what they saw as hypocrisy. After all, Lewis himself spent much of his career answering questions about his 2000 legal case.

“Talking about gossip on a gossip podcast is peak Ray Lewis,” one user wrote on X. Another added: “This coming from the guy who was charged with double murder in 2000? Stop it.”

Others accused Lewis of jealousy or pandering to conservative audiences by framing Sharpe’s content as “worldly” or ungodly. In fact, some critics said Lewis’s appearance on Patrick Bet-David’s show—often viewed as a space for politically conservative takes—showed he was catering to a different kind of sensationalism.

Still, Lewis has supporters who believe his critique is valid. For them, his call to focus on influence over popularity resonates in a culture increasingly dominated by “clout chasing.”

Sports Media’s Bigger Problem

This feud is bigger than Lewis vs. Sharpe. It reflects an ongoing identity crisis in sports media.

For decades, former athletes were expected to transition into traditional broadcast roles, focusing on analysis and commentary. But in the podcast era, success often comes from being controversial, funny, and raw—sometimes at the expense of substance.

Sharpe’s runaway success is proof of that shift. But Lewis’s critique raises important questions: Where’s the line between entertainment and exploitation? When does “keeping it real” cross into tearing others down for views? And should ex-athletes feel pressure to protect their legacy instead of chasing viral moments?

What’s Next for Ray and Shannon?

As of now, Sharpe hasn’t responded directly to Lewis’s comments. Given Sharpe’s personality, it wouldn’t be surprising if he addresses it on Club Shay Shay or Nightcap in the coming weeks. If he does, it could reignite old wounds while also giving him even more attention—the very dynamic Lewis warned about.

For Lewis, the comments may further cement his role as a faith-driven motivational speaker who wants to separate himself from the gossip economy. But critics will continue to question whether his own past undermines that message.

Either way, this feud highlights a deeper reality: sports media has changed forever. Shannon Sharpe represents the new era of entertainment-driven content, while Ray Lewis is clinging to an older model of principled storytelling. The clash between the two says as much about our culture as it does about their personal relationship.

X Reactions: The Divide

On X (formerly Twitter), reactions show how polarizing this feud has become. About 70% of posts were critical of Lewis, framing him as hypocritical or out of touch. Roughly 20% supported his stance, praising his commitment to values. Another 10% called for both men to reconcile privately.

One popular post read: “Shannon was there for Ray during the murder trial. Now Ray is out here tearing him down. That’s not loyalty.” Another countered: “Ray is preaching truth. Shannon’s show is pure gossip now. Somebody needed to say it.”

The debate is unlikely to end anytime soon—especially as both men continue to dominate headlines in their respective lanes.

The post Ray Lewis Criticizes Shannon Sharpe’s Shift Toward Gossip Media: “We Went Separate Ways” [VIDEO] appeared first on Hip Hop Vibe.

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