Sour, Not-So-Sweet, Warren Sapp

With all the media activity that Super Bowl week brings, a fan can be rest assured that some form of melodrama will emerge to occupy the weeks "water cooler conversation." But who would have expected the loudest drama of the week to come from two former players that currently work for the media? What a circus!

On Tuesday Hall of Famer and NFL Network correspondent Warren Sapp took a brave shot at the Hall Of Fame candidate Michael Strahan, thus re-igniting the war of words that first began in 2002. Warren Sapp instigated the recent exchanges by calling Strahans candidacy as a first ballot Hall of Famer "All hype." But he didn't stop there: Sapp continued backing his assertion with inaccurate statements such as: "he only has four straight pro bowls" (False: Strahan has a total of 7 Pro Bowl appearances) and then further icing his entrée of bitterness by calling Stahans Single Season Sack record "Mythical." Of coarse Michael Strahan and his former teammates responded strongly in reinforcement of Strahans candidacy. But it is my inclination to believe that a response to such immaturity was unnecessary and only lends un-warranted attention to Sapp's comments.

It would be one thing for Sapp to ground his assertions against a candidate for induction in facts and/or verifiable observations, but Sapp's argument produced comments that very clearly stem from envy. A more humble, diplomatic approach, may have alleviated the shock and awe that comes with such an unusual smear campaign amidst the well-respected and time honored tradition that is the Hall Of Fame balloting process. But Sapp's statements only verify his childish resentment for the record he calls "mystical," and show his lack of class in delivering his opinions.

With a closer look at the single season sack records, it appears to me, that the only mystical element involved with Strahan's accomplishment is in how this same record eluded Sapp his entire career. Sapp at his best fell 6 sacks short of this record. And although being a life-long Giants fan may show my own personal bias, at least I can recognize and ground myself within it. Because truth-be-told, I have always kept an open eye on the entire NFL. So I remember very clearly the dominance you had on the football field, Warren Sapp.

Dominance that indeed warranted you respect in the football world. But I also remember the roster on Defense that you had to support you in your accomplishments. With Pro Bowler's to your left and right, and behind you at all times, you must admit that you too saw your fair share of favorable matchups!

So my advice to you, Warren Sapp: please, I beg of you, learn to become more conscious of your personal biases and limited perspective. Doing so would likely prevent you from making comments that undermine your intelligence, (such as your comment suggesting your teammate Simeon Rice to be more deserving of the Hall Of Fame than Michael Strahan).

I will leave Strahan's resume to speak for itself in order to quell that shortsighted comment.

And with all that being said, you too had an extremely impressive career Mr. Sapp. And your respect in the football world is deserved and hard-earned. But please do yourself and your many fans the favor of tightening your grip on reality so that you do not tarnish the respect you so highly covet.