ESPNWarren Sapp

Warren Carlos Sapp was a defensive tackle who retired from the NFL after the 2007 season. Sapp played 13 NFL seasons: nine with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and four as an Oakland Raider. He was selected to appear in the Pro Bowl seven consecutive times between 1997 and 2003. Sapp was named AP Defensive Player of the Year in 1999, and in 2002 he won Super Bowl XXXVII as a member of the Buccaneers. In 2008, Sapp began appearing as a contestant on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars".

Warren Sapp attended Apopka High School, where he lettered in football, track, and basketball. As a high school football player, Sapp played linebacker, tight end, and punter. Sapp was recruited by the University of Miami (FL) as a tight end, but moved to defensive tackle after his freshman year. As a junior, Sapp won the Lombardi Award, and was a finalist for the Outland Trophy.

Sapp was drafted 12th overall by the Buccaneers in 1995. Sapp was reported to have tested positive for marijuana and cocaine during the scouting combine, which many felt affected his draft position. The NFL labeled the reports inaccurate in regards to the cocaine allegations.

Sapp recorded 77 sacks in his nine seasons as a Buccaneer, including a career-high 16.5 during the 2000 season. He also caught 2 touchdown passes on offense with the Bucs, hearkening back to his days as a tight end. In 2004, Sapp joined the Raiders as a free agent. The Raiders gave the 31-year-old Sapp a seven-year contract worth $36 million, with a signing bonus that was reported to be about $6 million.

Sapp's productivity decreased as a Raider. In his four seasons with Oakland, he only reached a double-digit sack total once. In 2005, Sapp was placed on injured reserve for the first time in his career after suffering a torn rotator cuff.

Sapp's official website featured the statement "I'm Done!" soon after the end of the 2007 season. However, he did not officially announce his retirement from the NFL until March 4, 2008. Sapp finished his career with 96.5 sacks, the 28th highest total in NFL history. His sack total was the second-highest of any player who primarily played at defensive tackle. Only John Randle had a higher career total, with 137.5.

Personal

Warren Sapp was born on December 19, 1972, in Orlando, Florida. He has been married to the former JaMiko Vaughn since 1998. Warren and JaMiko Sapp have two children, Mercedes and Warren II. Sapp is also the father of Autumn Adkins Sapp with Chantel Adkins, and Jaelon Sapp with Angela Sanders. Both Adkins and Sanders served Sapp with paternity suits to receive child support.

Sapp is currently appearing on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars", partnering with Kym Johnson. He is the 4th NFL veteran to appear on the show, joining Jerry Rice (Season 2), Emmitt Smith (winner, Season 3), and Jason Taylor (Season 6). Sapp also appears on Showtime's "Inside the NFL" and as an analyst on the NFL Network .

Official Website

Player Card