Shannon Sharpe may be one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, but when it comes to his personal life, he’s played a different game—one of mystery and intrigue. While he’s an open book about his career, his relationships have often been kept under wraps. However, a few names have surfaced over the years, giving us some insight into his dating history.
Who Is Shannon Sharpe’s Wife? Is He Married? Relationships With Girlfriend Katy Kellner, Michelle Beadle, and More
Despite his fame, Shannon Sharpe has never been married. However, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t had his share of relationships. His most public romance was with fitness trainer Katy Kellner. The two met at a gym, bonded over their passion for fitness, and reportedly started dating in the early 2010s. By 2016, the couple was engaged, and fans speculated that wedding bells might be in the near future. But the fairytale came to an abrupt end when Kellner was seen with another man’s baby in 2018—Marlon Byrd’s child, to be exact. That marked the end of Sharpe and Kellner’s relationship, and the fitness trainer later married Byrd before filing for divorce in 2020.
Sharpe has also been linked to Nicole Murphy, Eddie Murphy’s ex-wife. In 2017, he sparked dating rumors when he posted a picture with Nicole at a gym, captioning it, “Those that know won’t tell. Those that tell won’t know.” However, in July 2024, Nicole Murphy put those rumors to rest during an interview on the Comedy Hype podcast. She confirmed that she and Sharpe never dated but acknowledged that he had publicly expressed interest in her. “He seems like a nice guy,” she said. “But chemistry is everything.”
The sports analyst also made headlines when he admitted to financially assisting a married woman in finalizing her divorce. On live television, he confessed, “I knew I wanted her. So I paid for the divorce.” Though he didn’t reveal the woman’s identity, this revelation caused a frenzy on social media, with fans debating the ethics of his actions.
Former NFL star Shannon Sharpe says he wanted a woman so bad he paid for her divorce because he felt she was the one. “I told her and her husband why you arguing over this little bit of money” pic.twitter.com/LL3iJLVnk6
— Black Millionaires ® (@Blackmillions_) April 1, 2023
More recently, Sharpe was involved in an unexpected social media scandal in September 2024. A private moment of his was unintentionally broadcast via Instagram Live, where he was heard saying, “That’s my Michelle.” This sparked speculation that the mystery woman might be former ESPN host Michelle Beadle, but she quickly shut down those rumors on X, posting, “It was not me 😐.” While social media ran wild with theories, Sharpe never publicly identified the woman involved.
With all these connections, the big question remains: Who is Shannon Sharpe dating now? Well, if he is, he’s keeping it to himself. Despite occasional hints at his romantic life, there’s no confirmed girlfriend or wife in 2025. He appears single, at least publicly.
Shannon Sharpe’s Kids: Meet Kayla, Kiari, and Kaley
While his dating life remains somewhat elusive, Shannon Sharpe is very clear about one thing: he’s a proud father. He has three children—a son, Kiari, and two daughters, Kayla and Kaley—all from different relationships. Unlike his romantic life, his role as a father is something he openly cherishes.
His eldest daughter, Kayla, has always had a close relationship with him. In a 2020 Instagram post, Sharpe expressed his deep love for her, writing, “I LUV you more than you can possibly know.” She has often shared heartwarming memories of her father, including how he used to drive her to school every day and gave her silent but intense driving lessons. “He would be completely silent in the car and then tell me everything I did wrong when we got home,” she once said in a 2022 video for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Sharpe’s only son, Kiari, shares a love of competition with his father. He has fond memories of their family game nights, especially the times he finally managed to beat his dad at Monopoly. “Everything is earned, nothing is given,” Kiari said. “So, that’s a satisfaction I can barely put into words.” His relationship with Sharpe is built on mutual respect, and their bond remains strong.
His youngest daughter, Kaley, has a competitive streak much like her father. One of her favorite childhood memories is a Monopoly game where she talked a big game, only to be “obliterated” by her dad. “I love that memory because we were just having such a carefree time,” she recalled. She has often said that her father’s tenacity, both on and off the field, has been a major influence in her life.
Although Sharpe doesn’t frequently post about his children, he has shared glimpses of their bond on social media. In 2011, during his Hall of Fame induction speech, he took a moment to acknowledge their sacrifices, saying, “Thank you for making all those sacrifices that other kids never had to make, so your dad could live out his dream.”
Interestingly, while Shannon Sharpe is transparent about his kids, he has never publicly revealed the identity of his daughters’ mothers. His son, Kiari, is the only child whose mother is known—Erika Evans. Their relationship became public in 2004 when Evans filed charges against Sharpe for allegedly lifting her up against her will and placing her outside his Atlanta home. The charges were later dropped after mediation.
