‘QB Killa’ Warren Sapp Retires From NFL

Screen shot QBKilla.com

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Oakland Raiders DT Warren Sapp announced his retirement today on his QBKilla.com Web site with two words: I’m Done. And so ends the 13-year career of the seven-time Pro Bowler.

I was not a fan of Warren in his early days. Sure, I recognized that he was a great defensive tackle, but I didn’t care for his big mouth or his obnoxious attitude. I remember one time he actually wanted to fight then-New Orleans Saints QB Kerry Collins (now Vince Young’s backup in Tennessee) in the parking lot after a game because he said Kerry was a coward and a quitter … and always would be a coward and a quitter. It was Kerry’s personal business and it wasn’t Warren’s place to open his mouth — just one of the most childish statements I had ever heard. It was like being back in high school. Then there was what I perceived to be an unnecessary hit on Green Bay Packers O-lineman Chad Clifton, followed by an altercation with Packers coach Mike Sherman where he had to be restrained from a physical altercation with coach Sherman. Both were just out-of-control occurrences that made Warren look goofy. And, of course, testing positive for marijuana didn’t help.

I grew to like him over the years, though, and thought he seemed like a pretty pleasant guy. He played with a lot of heart and could move like no other big man I had ever seen. I mean, he was downright pudgy, but he played a lot lighter (Minnesota Vikings DT Pat Williams also comes to mind). Warren has always had a way with the media and to this day enjoys sharing his side of the story. He seems very friendly. Even Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy (Warren’s former coach in Tampa) loves him and I definitely respect coach Dungy’s opinion.

I’m hoping I run into Warren during Media Day at the Super Bowl (he was there as a reporter last year, I wasn’t). Maybe we can talk about his decision to retire. And if he were interviewing himself, what questions he would ask. And what he’s most proud of and what he most regrets about his fine career.

Warren finished his career with 96.5 sacks, the 28th most since the NFL began keeping track of the statistic in 1982. After having 10 sacks in 2006, he wasn’t as successful this season when he finished with only two. Warren was also part of a Raiders defense that struggled against the run, allowing a league-worst 4.8 yards per carry. At 35-years-old, it just seems like the right time to get out.

Inset Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images