Shannon Sharpe has issued a mea culpa after the three-time Super Bowl champion accidentally broadcast an intimate moment to his 3 million Instagram followers.

Speaking about his Nightcap show, the ESPN host said he was “embarrassed” by the accident and that it did not meet the standards of professionalism he set for himself.

Sharpe went live on Instagram on Wednesday with a minute-and-a-half-long video that included audio of an unidentified woman apparently moaning in pleasure. The video did not show the intimate act.

Sharpe initially claimed his Instagram had been hacked, but later admitted that he Nightcap that the video was his fault.

“I came in, threw my phone on the bed and did an activity. I didn’t know about IG Live. I’ve never been on IG Live, I’ve never turned on IG Live, so I don’t know how it works,” Sharpe explained, adding that his assistant had access to his Instagram account and turned off the video.

Sharpe said he didn’t realize what had happened until he later picked up the phone with his marketing representative, who told him he had live-streamed the intimate act for his millions of followers.

“My heart sank,” Sharpe said. “I called my agent, I called the agency, I called ESPN and I (thought) just tell them the truth. My phone wasn’t hacked, it wasn’t a prank, it was that I was a healthy, active man.”

Sharpe said he was “very disappointed in myself” and that he had “let a lot of people down.” He added: “Obviously I’m embarrassed. (I’m) someone who is extremely, extremely private and when one of your most intimate details is heard by the whole world, I’m embarrassed.”

Sharpe was lambasted on social media for the incident, posting a number of tweets mocking the accident. This included a message from former ESPN anchor Michelle Beadle, who wrote: “It wasn’t me.”

Sharpe signed a multi-year contract with ESPN in June. Under the deal, Sharpe expanded his role to First recordingESPN’s morning debate program starring Stephen A. Smith and host Molly Qerim. Sharpe joined the show in August 2023.