Thanks, Warren.

I graduated high school with Warren Sapp. Of course, those who knew him, knew him as "Sappdog".
I was in Mrs. Grasso's general math class, 2nd period, ninth grade. So was Warren. Back then, I just knew him as a class clown, a guy who could make people laugh all the time, while finding new and inventive ways to not do his schoolwork. That attribute I admired greatly in that class, because I hate math. It was the only class that I had that wasn't an honors class, and I felt a little out of place since all the other kids I went to school with were in algebra or geometry or something like that. So for one period a day, I was seated next to this funny, and sometimes obnoxious guy.
I didn't know then that he would turn out to be the kind of football player he would eventually become, and to be honest, I don't think he did either. Nor do I think he cared much.
In fact, I didn't think most of those kids in that class would ever live long enough to see graduation. Every day there was a classmate of ours with a subpoena as a witness to a murder, robbery, or shooting. Warren lived in the bad side of town, and I used to be petrified to hear some of the stories that I heard in 2nd period.
Stories of drive-by's, carjackings, muggings, and all kind of other stuff. And I mean ALL KINDS of other stuff.
So, it wasn't until I decided to join the marching band that I noticed how talented of an athlete he was. I come from a musical family, and I followed both of my older brothers' footsteps by joining the marching band. But as far as being a "band geek", I was the furthest thing from it. I did two things while I was in marching band:
1. Position myself close to the dance corps (the hottest girls in the school).
2. Actually watch the football game.

And Warren Sapp dominated.
But as a defensive lineman?
Not even close.

He played tight end, defensive line, offensive line, and I kid you not, he even punted the ball.
In one game, our quarterback dropped a pass over the middle to a double covered Sappdog playing tight end. Warren layed out for it, and made a fingertip diving catch.
My jaw hit the ground.
Later, the drive fizzled out, and on 4th down, Warren kicked a 57 yard punt to pin our opponent inside their own 10 yard line. Then, my jaw made like a slinky down the bleachers.
I couldn't believe the athletic talent he had, and he was only in 10th grade at the time.

As a junior, I decided to try out for the varsity basketball team. At the time, I was about 6' 2", and pretty decent. I could handle the ball pretty well for a power forward, and I had developed a mid range jump shot that I could consistently bury. And rebounding and overall defense was my pride and joy.
I made the team, and everything was great.
Until the football coach decided that he wanted Warren to play basketball during the off season to keep his conditioning up.
Warren Sapp. 6' 4" pushing about 250 to 270 lbs. depending on the day, and I had to face him during scrimmages. You can imagine my excitement. Or sheer terror, whatever you want to call it.
There's a lot I could say, but I'll just leave you with the last basketball play I ever made in high school.
Warren was on offense on the low post, and I had the pleasure of trying to keep him out of the paint. Did I mention that I only weighed about 150 lbs?
So you could imagine the scene.
Anyway, a shot went up, and I had perfect position on him to get the rebound. Needless to say, he went up over me, got the rebound, came down and dribbled once or twice, and then spun around baseline and dunked two handed all over my shocked face. I didn't think that there was any way a man that large could jump that high.
From that day forward, my career as the new varsity volleyball captain took shape.

Whatever you may think about Warren Sapp, because people either loved him or hated him, I loved what he did for the Tampa Bay Bucs, and for football in general.
I'll always remember him jawing with Brett Favre, the golden boy of the NFL during those times, and I loved it.
Warren retired earlier this year.
And I think he had a great career.

Even though he did posterize me on the basketball court.

Thanks for the memories Warren.....well......most of them anyway.


Derek