Former Baltimore Ravens tight end and 2000 champion Shannon Sharpe has become one of the hottest names in the podcasting game, as his "Club Shay Shay" and "Nightcap" productions have been the stage for memorable interviews and viral quotes. Sharpe recently turned his focus to Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson.
In an interview with Essence Magazine, Wilson said that he "opened a lot of doors" for Black quarterbacks who followed by appearing in back-to-back Super Bowls. Aghast at Wilson's apparent lack of historical knowledge and/or respect for pioneering Black quarterbacks like Doug Williams and Warren Moon before him, Sharpe wasted no time in taking a blowtorch to Wilson.
"So what role did Doug Williams play?" Sharpe said. "The first African-American quarterback to actually get to and win the Super Bowl and win MVP...What about Shack Harris? What about Joe Gilliam? So what did Marlin Briscoe do? Jack Harry? Steve McNair? They opened no doors? Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick? It was you?"
Sharpe also reaffirmed that he is forever a member of the Ravens family despite his career taking place primarily in Denver. The Broncos may always be his team, but Sharpe is going to wish his former team well whenever they face off against Wilson and the Steelers.
"I wish him the best in Pittsburgh, except when they play the Ravens, and if they play the Broncos," Sharpe said in a follow-up podcast. "I want the Ravens to beat the brakes off of them twice. And if they play the Broncos, I want the Broncos to win."
Russell Wilson really be opening doors?? 🤨 @ShannonSharpe @ochocinco pic.twitter.com/t82TxQrXCL
— Nightcap (@NightcapShow_) April 12, 2024
Former Baltimore Ravens TE Shannon Sharpe roasts Russell Wilson
Wilson will, if nothing else, add some spice to the Ravens-Steelers rivalry games. Pittsburgh made the postseason last year with horrendous quarterback play from Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph, and even a compromised Wilson is a big upgrade over both of those players.
While Wilson did eventually try to backtrack and further expand on his comments, he didn't do it quickly enough to save himself from Sharpe's ire. For just a brief moment, the 2000 Ravens playmaker cane out with a very anti-Steelers tirade.
Sharpe will get his chance to see Wilson on the wrong end of games against his two professional teams, as Pittsburgh will play their traditional two games against the Ravens and another duel against the Broncos. Time will tell if Sharpe can live vicariously through his old teams and relish in a Wilson defeat.