Shannon Sharpe breaks down in tears thanking Skip Bayless on last Undisputed

13 June 2023 , 18:13

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Sharpe told Bayless: "I gave you everything I had"

Shannon Sharpe has now officially let FOX Sports ' Undisputed after seven years on the show and has done so in an emotional manner.

The NFL Hall of Famer agreed with the network on a contract buyout and has now exited the morning debate show across the desk of Skip Bayless.

In their final episode on Tuesday afternoon, Sharpe and Bayless ended their run on good terms, as both men became emotional as they closed the show for the final time as a duo.

Sharpe said: "Skip Bayless, you fought for me bro. I am here because of you. You have allowed me to share the stage with you. You have allowed me to share the platform. I will cry in the car, but I'm not going to cry now.

"The opportunity you gave me to become what I became, I am forever indebted to you - I will never forget what you did for me. You have helped me grow, more than you will ever know."

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Taking a moment, Sharpe then emotionally added: "All I ask, is when you lay your head on your pillow at night ... you know that I gave you everything that I had."

Bayless responded: "You did. That's why I want to thank you for all you have given me. When I first took this job back in June 2016, we had a whole different format in mind until it became clear that Shannon Sharpe is available and I said 'I believe he can do this'.

"And did you ever. The critics just savaged us when we first started ... did we ever show them.

Shannon Sharpe broke down in tears as he said goodbye to Skip Bayless and the show

"I want to thank you for dedicating yourself to this job. You dedicated yourself to this job the same way you dedicated yourself to professional football as a Hall of Famer. You prepared as hard as you could, you competed as hard as when you played.

"In the end, I just want you to know that all this was because of you and made this a very, very special time in my career."

The initial announcement earlier this month came after weeks of speculation following on-air debates which got a little personal at times, with Sharpe and Bayless having big disagreements on Damar Hamlin, LeBron James and Tom Brady.

In one fiery segment, the two had an especially big fallout when Bayless seemed to have taken a shot at Sharpe retiring at 35.

Sharpe's replacement is yet to be confirmed, however, it has been heavily rumoured that former Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy will take the role. Bayless is set for an extended break in the coming days.

Sharpe's future is not yet known, with Stephen A. Smith lobbying for him to return to ESPN's First Take, where he first met Bayless.

Charlie Wilson