He simply could not help himself.

Former NFL player Shannon Sharpe is a different man in 2026.

A slew of celebrities headed to New York City for a red carpet event. It was for the world premiere of Netflix’s upcoming film, The Rip, starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. The world premiere was held on Tuesday night at Alice Tully Hall.

Among the guests were Teyana Taylor, Shannon Sharpe, Ocho Cinco, rappers Dave East and Maino. There was also Hot 97’s new radio host, The Kid Mero, and WWE star Jade Cargill.

At one point during the event, Shannon Sharpe went viral as he posed in front of $20 million. Dressed in a blue two-piece suit, Sharpe could be seen grabbing money and tossing it into the air.

The new crime thriller follows Miami cop partners, whom Affleck and Damon play. Their team finds $24 million stashed away in a safe house. Loyalty is tested, and tensions soon rise with so much money at stack. The movie’s cast includes Taylor, Steven Yeun, Kyle Chandler, Teyana Taylor, Catalina Sandino Moreno, and Sasha Calle.

Shannon Sharpe Knows All About Throwing Money Away

Shannon Sharpe (Photo By Julie Vennitti Botos / Canton Repository / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
2025 was a trying year for Shannon Sharpe.

Sharpe, who lost his job at ESPN, was forced to settle a lawsuit against a woman who claimed he sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions. He maintained his innocence, claiming he looked forward to fighting the accusations in court.

However, he showed no fight in court and eventually reached a settlement rumored to be $23 million.

Sharpe’s accuser, Gabriella Zuniga, decided to retire from OnlyFans after that settlement. “Today, I have decided to retire from OF,” she disclosed. “Thank you for the incredible support you’ve shown me over the past few years. This community has given me a life I could have never imagined.”

2026 is likely to be the year he recovers everything he lost in that settlement.