“This is peak grifting” – Jason Whitlock wins most bizarre take of the year, accuses Shannon Sharpe of using Damar Hamlin to elevate career
Jason Whitlock has accused Shannon Sharpe of posturing over Damar Hamlin. In the wake of the terrifying injury that required CPR and left the Buffalo Bills safety in critical condition, Sharpe skipped "Undisputed" the next day.
He also skipped because his co-host, Skip Bayless, sent an insensitive tweet highlighting the importance of the game (which has now been postponed).
Upon Sharpe's return to "Undisputed," he and Bayless argued once again over the tweet. Sharpe was clearly upset, but Whitlock isn't buying the authenticity of Sharpe's emotions.
How can a grown man be this upset about a tweet that had ZERO impact on Damar Hamlin's health? Zero. This is peak grifting, using Hamlin to build your profile. Is this what we do now? Hamlin should not be reduced to a career elevator for black elites. George Floyd 2.0. Sad. twitter.com/TheNBACentral/…
Whitlock tweeted:
"How can a grown man be this upset about a tweet that had ZERO impact on Damar Hamlin's health? Zero. This is peak grifting, using Hamlin to build your profile. Is this what we do now? Hamlin should not be reduced to a career elevator for black elites. George Floyd 2.0. Sad."
Whitlock believes that Sharpe doesn't feel as strongly about the injured Bills safety as he appears to. He thinks Sharpe may be putting on a persona to look good in the eyes of the public and the eyes of his bosses in order to get a better standing in life.
For what it's worth, Sharpe did explain that the injury was different for him. Sharpe is a former NFL star and has a brother who was temporarily paralyzed on the field as well.
Why was Shannon Sharpe mad at Skip Bayless?
The feud in question happened on-screen, but the animosity between Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless (which Jason Whitlock doesn't believe is real) began off the air
The two fight a lot, as sports debate show hosts do. This time, Sharpe kept getting interrupted by Bayless, who was defending himself over an insensitive tweet that Sharpe hoped he would take down.
The tweet in question stated that the NFL would consider postponing the game in the wake of the injury. Bayless mentioned that it was a very important game for playoff seedings and it would be nearly impossible to postpone.
Shannon Sharpe felt it was insensitive and that the entire focus of the situation should be on Damar Hamlin's health. Whitlock and Bayless, however, aren't as concerned about the tweet at all.