NFL icon, NBA star's father separated by security following ugly mid-match confrontation
An NBA match has been marred by an ugly confrontation between an NFL legend sitting courtside and a group of players, with one of the players' fathers also involved.
The incident occurred during the Memphis Grizzlies' clash against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena as the two teams headed into the tunnel for the half-time break.
Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks was seen exchanging words with NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, who had stood up out of his courtside seat.
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A large Grizzlies contingent then arrived to confront Sharpe, led by New Zealand big man Steven Adams and All-Star guard Ja Morant.
Shannon Sharpe and Ja Morant's father Tee had to be separated by security following a fiery confrontation Twitter
Morant's father, Tee, then also got involved, before security broke up the impending brawl and escorted Sharpe from his seat for the half-time interval. He returned for the start of the second half.
Sharpe, a three-time Super Bowl winner with the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, told ESPN the ugly scenes kicked off after a jab at Brooks' defence.
"They do all that talking and jockeying and I ain't about that jockeying," he told ESPN reporter Dave McMennamin.
"It started with Dillon Brooks. I said he was too small to guard LeBron (James). He said, 'F--k' me'. I said, 'F--k you' back.
Shannon Sharpe reacts after he is restrained by security from Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies after a verbal altercation after the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on January 20, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Harry How via Getty Images
"He started to come at me and I said, 'You don't want these problems', and then Ja (Morant) came out of nowhere talking. He definitely didn't want these problems.
"Then the dad came and he obviously didn't want no problems. But I wanted everything they had. Don't let these fools fool, you now."
Morant's father, who is often seen courtside at his son's games, downplayed the incident and said he had "nothing but love" for Sharpe.
The pair settled their differences in the second half, sharing an embrace during an intermission in the third quarter.
Sharpe, who is a big fan of LeBron James, has been a regular at Lakers home games and was spotted sharing an embrace with the Lakers star prior to tip off.
