Warren Sapp’s name is boldly written among some of the greatest defensive linemen in the history of football. Super Bowl winner, first-team All-Pro, and a playing style that sent chills down the spine of the offensive lineman. Sapp built a legacy defined by excellence and intensity in the NFL. Now in college football, he is replicating these same heroics, coaching the Colorado Buffaloes. However, tucked deep in the illustrious pages of his career is a dark chapter of his life, something he would likely prefer to leave in the past.
Last year in February, Sapp was arrested in Florida while he tried to intervene in a traffic stop at a gas station. The situation turned ugly when Sapp questioned a police officer’s handling of a speeding ticket to a man from New Jersey. Sapp even pointed to the discrepancies in the officer’s verbal exchange and the actual contents of the ticket. But he was allegedly wrongfully arrested for “interfering with the investigation,” as per reports. Sapp alleged the police made disrespectful remarks, and he felt singled out by the crowd.
The Buffs’ pass rush coordinator even alleged that an officer told him to “shut your mouth, boy,” which had racial overtones. Sapp, in turn, was released from custody a day later with the State Attorney dropping all charges against him, terming the arrest “not legal.” But Sapp was humiliated by the ordeal and, in turn, filed a $20 million lawsuit against the Sheriff’s office. As of now, the lawsuit is ongoing, but it reinforced the discrimination that Sapp had to face. So, having faced the bitter experience himself, he had some words of advice for his friend.
In a recent video posted by the ‘AlltheSmoke’ IG account, Gilbert Arenas, who is a close friend of Sapp, was talking about how people should avoid going out after 10 PM to avoid unpleasant experiences. “You should never leave your home after a certain time. It doesn’t make sense, there’s nothing out there. The worst cops in the world, they log in at 10 PM, they know that when the sh-t happens. That’s what they want, so the most aggressive minds are out that late and are active at that time. They can’t tell the difference between who you are when they pull you over. So don’t even put yourselves in a position like that,” said Gilbert Arenas. While Arena’s take was garnering attention, Warren Sapp dropped a comment on how to tackle such situations.
Sapp commented on the video and wrote, “Know your rights and stand on them!! Plus, always record the police!!” Well, Sapp himself, being the victim of the unfair treatment, surely would know how to deal with it. As for Sapp, moving on from the bitter experience might not be easy, but knowing your rights and standing calm in that situation might help. Still, these incidents and conversations show the need for greater police accountability, something Sapp has continuously advocated since that Florida incident.
Warren Sapp opens up on a life-changing moment with Coach Prime
We all know how Warren Sapp lit up those games and provided top-notch performances in the NFL. But Sapp, after retiring from the NFL in 2007, didn’t quickly jump into the coaching world. Instead, he had stints as a media analyst for NFL Network and later hosted a podcast with Brian Jones. Even then, he didn’t have any firm plans for coaching, but a key meeting with Coach Prime changed all that, and he finally came to Colorado.
Sapp talks about how he met Deion Sanders on a fishing trip, and Coach Prime offered him to come to Jackson State at the time. Sapp at the time declined the opportunity, saying, “No, I’m not coming to Mississippi,” but later went back to school to get his coaching degrees and finally transitioned into the coaching world. “I went back to school, got my got my paperwork, and by this time, he (Deion Sanders) was in Colorado at this point. And he called me and said, ‘I just want you to come visit with my D-line.’ And I’m like, ‘All right.”
That visit turned Sapp into Colorado’s pass rush coordinator. But Sapp has greater involvement than this. We see him in press conferences actively substituting for Coach Prime and even on recruiting trips, since Deion Sanders does not visit recruits. In many ways, he has become a trusted advisor and leader in the Buffaloes’ football operations. Now deeply embedded in the program, Sapp will always be grateful to Coach Prime for introducing him to this coaching.
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