NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe has come out in strong defense of Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan following a heated altercation with a fan at a sushi restaurant in California.
The six-time NBA All-Star was seen in a now-viral video pushing a man to the ground after the fan allegedly pointed a phone flashlight in his face while he was eating with his family.
The video, which circulated online over the weekend, shows DeRozan standing over the man, who falls backwards during the scuffle. According to eyewitnesses, the confrontation began after the fan aggressively approached the NBA player with his phone’s flashlight turned on, seemingly attempting to film him.
Sharpe says the fan was “out of line”
Speaking on his Nightcap podcast, Sharpe criticized the fan’s behavior and expressed empathy for athletes who are often harassed in public spaces. “You don’t know these people like that. Approach them with respect,” Sharpe said. “When you play a stupid game, you win stupid prizes.”
He also pointed out that athletes are human beings first, and should not be expected to tolerate invasions of their personal space. “When did grown people start playing so much? You come up to that man, while he’s eating with his family, and stick a phone in his face?” he added. “Not everybody plays how you play.”
Fan claims he ended up in an ambulance
The man involved in the incident later posted his own footage from the restaurant, claiming he had to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance. In a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: “I just got attacked and body slapped by DeMar DeRozan. Don’t meet your heroes, kids.”
Sharpe’s co-host, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, was less sympathetic, suggesting the fan was looking for a viral moment. “DeMar didn’t hit him that hard,” Johnson said. “That guy is just chasing a quick buck.”
Police investigation underway
The incident, which took place around 10:30 p.m. on a Friday night, is currently under investigation by local authorities. The Sacramento Kings have yet to issue a statement.
DeRozan, in his first season with the Kings, is averaging 22.2 points per game and continues to be a key player in Sacramento’s playoff push.
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