Shannon Sharpe and Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson, former NFL players now known for their podcasting endeavors, have sparked controversy over comments perceived as critical of the Jewish community, particularly Israel.

The issue arose during a discussion about live streamer Adin Ross, who admitted to using the N-word. Sharpe and Johnson’s conversation unexpectedly veered into a discussion touching on Jewish stereotypes, drawing ire from listeners.

Sharpe, at 57 years old, initially addressed Ross’s use of racial slurs. However, he quickly shifted the focus, questioning why offensive language targeting other communities, and specifically Jewish people, is rarely used by rappers and streamers. “They got no problem saying those words that are offensive to black people, but there are some other words that are offensive to other people, but they never utter those, you notice that, Ocho?” Sharpe remarked during their Nightcap livestream.

He went on to question, “That’s another community. But they never say that. Why don’t they rap those?” This line of questioning implied a critique of the selective use of offensive language and aimed to shine a light on perceived disparities in how different communities are treated.

Meanwhile, Johnson, at 47, seemed puzzled by the direction of the conversation, asking Sharpe if his remarks were referring to the LGBTQ+ community, using the term ‘Skittles’ as a euphemism.

However, Johnson, 47, appeared confused asking the former tight end if he was referring to the LGBTQ+ community, using the term ‘Skittles.’ 

Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson have come under fire for appearing to criticize Jews 

The podcasters were discussing streamer Adin Ross’s confession that he uses the N-word

‘You got me lost, I only know about two communities,’ he admitted when Sharpe insisted he wasn’t referring to the LGBTQ+ community. ‘[That’s the] Most powerful community in the world.

‘Not it’s not,’ Sharpe fired back. ‘There’s another country that has a white and blue flag with a star on it… it’s not even close. 

Finally registering that Sharpe was referring to Israel, Johnson exclaimed: ‘Oh they own every damn thing.’

‘Exactly, why don’t they say something derogatory about that? Why don’t he rap that?’ Sharpe responded. 

Johnson added: ‘They own everything, you hear me? If you were to peel back the layers…’ 

The offensive comments sparked fury online as many called the duo out for their ‘disappointing’ rant. 

‘What the hell is this?’ one social media user posted in response to a clip of the rant. 

In a separate post, he added: ‘What are we doing here? Extremely disappointing from Shannon and Chad.’

The former NFL stars’ offensive comments sparked fury online as many called the duo out

‘For things people ‘can’t talk about’ they certainly talk a lot about it,’ a second user wrote. 

A third claimed: ‘Not the first time pro athletes have made themselves look stupid on this subject.’

‘The fact they can’t even actually say what they are talking about….is louder than anything said…Unc and Ocho about to release an apology in the next couple days….,’ another posted.

‘He’s out at ESPN that’s why he’s talking about it. My money is no major network will hire Shannon again. He’s on his own now,’ said another referring to Sharpe’s exit from the network earlier this year. 

Sharpe was officially axed by ESPN in the summer, shortly after he settled a bombshell sexual lawsuit with an ex-girlfriend, who had accused him of rape. In settling the lawsuit, Sharpe’s accuser retracted her rape accusation against him. 

The woman, identified as one of his ex-girlfriends, accused him of raping her on two occasions over the course of their relationship in a bombshell lawsuit.

The former First Take star, who denied the allegations, stepped away from his part-time duties with ESPN and vowed to return later in the year once he had proved his innocence.

Yet just weeks after the accuser reached a settlement and retracted the allegations, it was revealed in July that he has been fired by ESPN after almost two years. 

Johnson and Sharpe are pictured at a live show of their Nightcap podcast in February 2024 

Johnson and Sharpe’s rant came after Ross, an American streamer, admitted to saying the N-word when listening to rap and HipHop music. 

‘I’m not going to lie to you guys. I’m not fake,’ the 25-year-old told his viewers.

‘Whenever I listen to rap music… there’s times where I say it. But me not saying it on stream, like, I have rapped songs before saying the word. I’m not a pu**y, and I’ll tell you guys that.’

‘Allegedly, I believe that every single streamer f***ing says it,’ he said of his contemporaries. He also argued that anyone claiming otherwise is full of f***ing bulls***.’