Warren Sapp
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Warren Sapp (born December 19, 1972 in Orlando, Florida) is a professional football player for the NFL's Oakland Raiders. Sapp is known for his intense and aggressive defensive play, his swift and powerful tackling, and (when periodically substituted on offense) his ability to cast aside multiple defenders with ease.
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Amidst marijuana allegations, drafted by Tampa Bay
After playing college football at the University of Miami, where he was a defensive standout, Sapp was drafted into the NFL by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 1995 draft (12th pick overall). Some felt Sapp would be drafted even higher, but his draft standing was damaged following allegations, just prior to the 1995 draft, that he had tested positive for marijuana on one or more occasions while at the University of Miami.
Upon joining Tampa Bay, however, Sapp was almost immediately given the starting job at the position of right defensive tackle and finished his rookie season with 27 tackles and one interception.
Sapp continued to be a prolific, intimidating tackler for the Buccaneers, tallying 51 tackles and nine sacks in 1996 and 58 tackles and 10.5 sacks in 1997. In 1997, Sapp was named to his first Pro Bowl. He has appeared in six consecutive Pro Bowls since.
In the 2002 Super Bowl
In 2002, Sapp helped lead a resurgent Tampa Bay team to victory in Super Bowl XXXVII over the Oakland Raiders. Sapp picked up a total of five tackles and two sacks through the 2002 postseason.
"You F'd up, put on a jersey"
During the 2002 season, Sapp drew wide criticism for leveling the Green Bay Packers' Chad Clifton, far away from the play, during a routine interception. The hit sent Clifton to the hospital with a serious pelvic injury and ended Clifton's season. Following the game, Sapp and Packers' coach Mike Sherman exchanged heated words, caught on national television, with Sapp telling Sherman: "You f---ed up. Put on a jersey." One year after this incident, Sapp was named the enemy of Wisconsin in the Sports Illustrated's 50th anniversary edition.
Following the 2003 season, discussions between the Buccaneers and the now free agent Sapp never came to fruition and Sapp began to look at the possibility of leaving the Buccaneers.
Less than a day after filing for free agency, Sapp appeared on Punk'd, where he was tricked by Ashton Kutcher's crew members who gave Sapp some terrible service at a restaurant during a University of Miami reunion.
With Oakland
In 2004, it was reported that Sapp was interested in accepting a contract offer from the Cincinnati Bengals for four years worth US $16 million. However, on March 20, he announced that he had agreed to terms on a 7-year, $36.6 million contract with the Raiders.
Sapp's agent is fellow University of Miami alumni Drew Rosenhaus, widely considered one of the most aggressive agents currently representing NFL players.
External links
- Warren Sapp's official web site (http://www.qbkilla.com)
- Template:Espn nfl
- University of Miami: Famous Alumni (http://www.ncaaticketsnow.com/miami-tickets.asp)