Shannon Sharpe is stepping away from ESPN for the next few months. The Hall of Fame tight end and "First Take" host announced on Thursday that he is stepping back from his broadcast appearances on the network while he deals with the fallout of a $50 million lawsuit filed earlier this week.

Former NFL star Shannon Sharpe says he is stepping away temporarily from his ESPN duties while he deals with what he called false allegations in a $50 million civil lawsuit filed against him by a woman who alleges he raped and threatened her.