Sharpe

“The relationship in question was 100% consensual,” Sharpe wrote in a statement posted on his X and Instagram accounts Thursday, hours before the start of the NFL draft.

Sharpe, a Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end, first addressed the allegations Tuesday in a video posted on Instagram, in which he called the lawsuit “a shakedown.”

Lawyers for both sides have acknowledged that Sharpe offered at least $10 million to settle the case in mediation before the lawsuit was filed, but the accuser declined the offer.

“Being a part of this family has been a blessing,” Sharpe said at the time.

In September, Sharpe was involved in an incident in which he claims he accidentally livestreamed audio of himself having sex on Instagram Live.