Warren Sapp got inducted into the coveted Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2013 on August 3rd in Canton, Ohio. I remember meeting Warren when he was announced as the number one draft pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At the time, I was publishing the team publication, Buccaneer Magazine. I told Warren that I was the publisher and the first thing he said to me was, “When is my picture going to be on the cover?” I told Warren that he would be on the cover the next issue.
I took many photographs of Warren during his career. Sapp wreaked havoc in the backfield of opposing teams. There was no stopping Sapp when he wanted to penetrate the offensive line to get to the quarterback. I remember the vanity plate on Sapp’s car. It said “Quarterback Killer.”
One of the lasting memories I have of Warren Sapp is when we walked through the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton Ohio on a private tour together. The Bucs played a preseason game against Pittsburgh that year. During our tour we stopped at the bust of Lee Roy Selmon. I took a photo of Sapp with the bust of Selmon and told Warren that he would be the next Buccaneer to be inducted into the prestigious and exclusive Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Little did I know that my prediction would be prophetic and would come to pass. Selmon now has company in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Warren Sapp’s bust will be displayed at the Hall prominently throughout the passage of time. Should I predict who the next Tampa Bay Buccaneer will be that will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame? I predict that Derrick Brooks will be the next Buccaneer to get fitted for the jacket and enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
This will be the year for Sapp as he is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ prestigious and exclusive Ring of Honor. His name will be a permanent fixture at Raymond James Stadium next to other enshrinees like John Mckay, Lee Roy Selmon, and Jimmy Gilles. Sapp will be in good company.
You do need a roster this time of year with all the new faces wearing the Buccaneers uniform. Bucs Coach Greg Schiano and his staff is focused on seeing which players stand up next to the competition set out in training camp. No position is guaranteed, and every player has a chance of chasing his dream of making the roster and playing football under the bright lights of the NFL. I’m looking for new stars and marquee players to endear themselves to the fans. Every season, new players and seasoned players emerge as go-to players. The team gels each day in preparation of the regular NFL season that is now just a few weeks away. I’m looking for our Pewter Pirates to play competitive smashmouth football. The Bucs are due to have an outstanding season. Do I sound like the proverbial optimist?
Jeffrey Neil Fox writes a column for the Gazette every issue. He can be reached at jeffreyneilfox@gmail.com, 813-391-2495, or www.FoxMarketPlace.com.“We put your logo on anything!” Next Generation Print and Mail