Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson must of caught wind of Shannon Sharpe blasting him, as he clarified his “opened doors” for Black quarterback comments that he made in an recent exclusive interview with with Essence.
“Let’s start building each other up!!! The Evolution of Black QBs in the @NFL has been one of the coolest experiences in my life to be a part of. Full context is always important! Grateful for those before me. Those with me. And those after. God is Good!” Wilson wrote on X, along with highlighting comments from his interview where he acknowledged current and past Black quarterbacks.
Wilson’s clarification was still not good enough for Sharpe, as he stated on the Nightcap Show with former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson that Wilson just recited what the author wrote. It seems like Sharpe just has it out for Wilson.
Nevertheless, Sharpe says he wishes Wilson well, just not when he plays his former teams the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos.
“I wish him the best in Pittsburgh, except when they play the Ravens, and if they play the Broncos,” Sharpe said. “I want the Ravens to beat the brakes off of them twice. And if they play the Broncos, I want the Broncos to win.”
Unless he loses the starting job to Justin Fields or an injury occurs, Wilson is set to play the Broncos at Mile High in 2024. With the intriguing headlines, it wouldn’t be surprising if the game is played in prime time.
Sharpe played 12 seasons for the Broncos in two separate stints (1990-1999 and 2002-2003). In between, he played two seasons with the Ravens and won a Super Bowl in 2000. He also won two rings with Denver in 1997 and 1998. Sharpe famously caught a crucial third down pass from John Elway to seal a Denver win over the Steelers in the 1997 AFC Championship Game at Three Rivers Stadium.
“Steelers was my favorite team growing up. Unfortunately, that had to change once I got drafted,” Sharpe said. “We hated the Steelers, and we still do. Some things never change.”
Other than hoping he doesn’t beat his Cincinnati Bengals, Johnson wishes nothing but the best for Wilson.
“I want him to have good game, but I don’t want him to beat the Bengals,” Johnson said. “I’m telling you, you’re gonna have a good year, I’m telling you. But when you play the Bengals, you can have a great game as long as the result of the game is the Bengals winning.”
The Steelers swept the Bengals last season. Joe Burrow was out of for both of those games with a season-ending wrist injury. In regards to Sharpe’s Ravens, the Steelers have won seven out of their last eight games against Baltimore.